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Attica (1974) Online

Attica (1974) Online
Original Title :
Attica
Genre :
Movie / Documentary / Crime / History
Year :
1974
Directror :
Cinda Firestone
Cast :
John Andrini,Herman Badillo,L.D. Barkley
Writer :
Cinda Firestone
Type :
Movie
Time :
1h 20min
Rating :
8.3/10
Attica (1974) Online

In 1971, inmates at Attica State Prison seized control of D-yard and took 35 hostages after peaceful efforts for reforms failed. Attica investigates the rebellion and its bloody suppression, revealing institutionalized injustices, sanctioned dishonesty, and abuses of power.
Credited cast:
John Andrini John Andrini - Himself - Ex-Inmate
Herman Badillo Herman Badillo - Himself (as 'Congressman Badillo')
L.D. Barkley L.D. Barkley - Himself
Roger Champen Roger Champen - Himself - Inmate (voice)
Flip Crawley Flip Crawley - Himself
Edward Cunningham Edward Cunningham - Himself - Hostage
Walter Dunbar Walter Dunbar - Himself
Gerald Houlihan Gerald Houlihan - Himself
Clarence Jones Clarence Jones - Himself
Skip Jones Skip Jones - Himself
William Kunstler William Kunstler - Himself - Attorney
Arthur Liman Arthur Liman - Himself - McKay Commision
John Monahan John Monahan - Himself
Russell G. Oswald Russell G. Oswald - Himself - N.Y. State Commissioner of Corrections
Chuck Pernasalice Chuck Pernasalice - Himself - Inmate (voice)


User reviews

Dagdage

Dagdage

I saw "Attica" more than 30 years ago. I am distressed that it still has never been available on DVD (or even VHS). The movie documents the prison uprising at Attica prison, and the crushing suppression by the government.

This was no ordinary prison riot. The authorities faced something probably never seen before or since -- black and white prisoners were united, and at least for that brief period, considered, acted, and treated each other as brothers. Their unity became political, for once seeing that instead of remaining pitted against each other, they could resist by uniting. It was a unique and powerful event that scared the bejeezus out of prison and governmental authorities. The lowest of the under-classes became radicalized and united, and they exerted their new found power. It was not an example to let stand. It had to be quashed, and it was.

I don't remember the numbers, but the uprising was crushed, violently and brutally -- many, many inmates killed in the siege. Reports were initially leaked that hostages had been executed by prisoners, reports later proved completely false. There has since been a book or two about the events, but none from a perspective as inside as this movie gives.

We have this movie to thank for bringing some public light to this historic event. (Remember in "Dog Day Afternoon" when Al Pacino exhorted the crowd to resist the police by chanting "Attica, Attica"? This was the movie that told us why.) I can only hope and implore that this movie be released on DVD. I don't know the reasons, but one must question. It's enough to make me feel what David Foster Wallace once wrote, "I know I'm paranoid, but am I paranoid enough?"

Cinda Firestone's "Attica" is too important to just vanish. This is not a movie with an agenda, but a considered documentary of an important time and event. It may be the most important movie never released on DVD.