After the credits the opening scene is done in documentary style. The headline reads "Riots Rip US Prisons" in 35 states, with massive destruction costing millions of dollars. An authority, Richard McGee (as himself), says that the reasons for the mass disturbances are the neglect of institutions by government leaders, with the public being culpable. This beginning sets the tone for the rest of the movie.
The next scene displays the inside of Folsom Prison in northern California (located outside of Sacramento) where 4,000 inmates are incarcerated. The toughest prisoners, who have a chalk mark "X" on their individual cells, are fed individually. Before long a guard is overpowered, then three others. They are held hostage while other convicts are released from their cells. The inmates barricade themselves inside the cell block. When Warden Reynolds (Emile Meyer) appears, convict James Dunn (Neville Brand), the leader of the riot, tells him that he wants the press to hear his demands. The motivation of the inmates is reform, not break-out. Initially the prisoners demand less overcrowding and a works program. But Commissioner Haskell (Frank Faylen), the governor's representative, wants no concessions and threatens to execute the ringleaders if the guards are not released. Early on the riot is confined to Cell Block 11 before it spreads to other prison areas, like the mess hall in Cell Block 4. There is continuous destruction and looting. When the state police arrive they force the rioters back into blocks although Cell Block 11, now with nine captured guards, holds out.
With the help of an educated inmate, ex-army Colonel Vanna (Robert Osterloh) – who is serving time for manslaughter – the prisoners prepare their full demands in writing. They include: (1) remodeled Cell Block 11 with better lighting, (2) reduced overcrowding, (3) separation of the psychopaths from younger inmates, (4) removal of leg locks or chains, (5) instituting a program for teaching trades to convicts, (6) removal or chastisement of brutal guards, (7) improving the quality of food, and (8) no reprisals. Ironically the warden has generally pushed for the same reforms in the past, although the commissioner still refuses concessions. Meanwhile Dunn has some difficulty in keeping the prisoners in line as prisoner factions develop. When Dunn is wounded by a crazed convict, next-in- command "Crazy Mike" Carnie (Leo Gordon), a large and dominating man with much less balance than Dunn, takes control. The prisoners are divided whether to kill one or more of the guards as Haskell decides to blow up a portion of the cell block. The rioters fasten the captured guards up to the wall that is scheduled for demolishing, but just in time the governor and the warden sign the prisoner demands. Next day the morning newspaper headline screams, "Rioters Win!"
Alas! There is a twist at the end. Not only does the state legislature repudiate the agreement, but also Dunn has to stand trial for inciting the riot and kidnapping the guards. He can get thirty years jail time. Colonel Vanna will get parole, and Carnie will be shipped off to a mental institution. The one saving grace for Dunn is the publicity emanating from the riot.
Ironically, Producer Walter Wanger had served four months' time for attempted murder. He shot a man who was having an affair with his wife, actress Joan Bennett. With Director Don Siegel, he planed on making a movie that replicated the appalling conditions he witnessed during his confinement. He succeeded on a low budget, even though the main characters were not well-known at the time; real guards and convicts were even used as secondary characters. Note that domineering actor Leo Gordon was indeed an ex-con who served five years in San Quentin for armed robbery. Director Siegel even claimed, "Leo Gordon was the scariest man I have ever met." And that's about as genuine as a movie can get!
The next scene displays the inside of Folsom Prison in northern California (located outside of Sacramento) where 4,000 inmates are incarcerated. The toughest prisoners, who have a chalk mark "X" on their individual cells, are fed individually. Before long a guard is overpowered, then three others. They are held hostage while other convicts are released from their cells. The inmates barricade themselves inside the cell block. When Warden Reynolds (Emile Meyer) appears, convict James Dunn (Neville Brand), the leader of the riot, tells him that he wants the press to hear his demands. The motivation of the inmates is reform, not break-out. Initially the prisoners demand less overcrowding and a works program. But Commissioner Haskell (Frank Faylen), the governor's representative, wants no concessions and threatens to execute the ringleaders if the guards are not released. Early on the riot is confined to Cell Block 11 before it spreads to other prison areas, like the mess hall in Cell Block 4. There is continuous destruction and looting. When the state police arrive they force the rioters back into blocks although Cell Block 11, now with nine captured guards, holds out.
With the help of an educated inmate, ex-army Colonel Vanna (Robert Osterloh) – who is serving time for manslaughter – the prisoners prepare their full demands in writing. They include: (1) remodeled Cell Block 11 with better lighting, (2) reduced overcrowding, (3) separation of the psychopaths from younger inmates, (4) removal of leg locks or chains, (5) instituting a program for teaching trades to convicts, (6) removal or chastisement of brutal guards, (7) improving the quality of food, and (8) no reprisals. Ironically the warden has generally pushed for the same reforms in the past, although the commissioner still refuses concessions. Meanwhile Dunn has some difficulty in keeping the prisoners in line as prisoner factions develop. When Dunn is wounded by a crazed convict, next-in- command "Crazy Mike" Carnie (Leo Gordon), a large and dominating man with much less balance than Dunn, takes control. The prisoners are divided whether to kill one or more of the guards as Haskell decides to blow up a portion of the cell block. The rioters fasten the captured guards up to the wall that is scheduled for demolishing, but just in time the governor and the warden sign the prisoner demands. Next day the morning newspaper headline screams, "Rioters Win!"
Alas! There is a twist at the end. Not only does the state legislature repudiate the agreement, but also Dunn has to stand trial for inciting the riot and kidnapping the guards. He can get thirty years jail time. Colonel Vanna will get parole, and Carnie will be shipped off to a mental institution. The one saving grace for Dunn is the publicity emanating from the riot.
Ironically, Producer Walter Wanger had served four months' time for attempted murder. He shot a man who was having an affair with his wife, actress Joan Bennett. With Director Don Siegel, he planed on making a movie that replicated the appalling conditions he witnessed during his confinement. He succeeded on a low budget, even though the main characters were not well-known at the time; real guards and convicts were even used as secondary characters. Note that domineering actor Leo Gordon was indeed an ex-con who served five years in San Quentin for armed robbery. Director Siegel even claimed, "Leo Gordon was the scariest man I have ever met." And that's about as genuine as a movie can get!