Against the Wall (HBO)

About Against the Wall

Against the Wall is a gripping 1994 movie that premiered on HBO. Directed by John Frankenheimer, it takes a thorough look at the infamous Attica prison uprising that took place in 1971 in upstate New York. The film closely examines the harsh realities of prison life and the deplorable living conditions that led the prisoners to revolt.

Making / Production

Directed by John Frankenheimer and produced by HBO, this historical drama was filmed on location in Tennessee. The powerful screenplay was written by Ron Hutchinson. The movie received praise for its authentic and gritty depiction of the prison riots, highlighting not just the explosive events but also the injustice and neglect that sparked them.

Actors

• Kyle MacLachlan as Michael Smith - MacLachlan played the sympathetic, beleaguered prison guard who gets caught in the crossfire during the riot.
• Samuel L. Jackson as Jamaal - Jackson convincingly portrayed an influential inmate leading the uprising against the oppressive prison system.
• Harry Dean Stanton as Hal - As the elderly and disillusioned prison guard, Stanton added extra layers of emotional depth to the film.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The title "Against the Wall" is a metaphorical reflection of the prisoners' fight against a system that's holding them down, and the literal reference to the brutally handled riot.
• Historically, the Attica prison uprising is one of the deadliest prison riots in American history, with tens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Awards

Against the Wall was nominated for a number of awards, including six Primetime Emmy Awards. Kyle MacLachlan won the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie award, while the film bagged Outstanding Made for Television Movie. It also won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directing in a Television Film.

Quotes

• "This is the sound of your world crumbling down." - Jamaal
• "We're not just convicts, we're men... Men with rights!" - Inmate

Music, Soundtrack

• The soundtrack of the movie effectively sets the tense and oppressive mood of the story. It was composed by Gary Chang, known for his work on films like Under Siege and The Breakfast Club.