Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

In 1971, prisoners at Attica State Prison formed an uprising that was heard around the world. Taking the prison, guards, artillery and themselves under control, they demanded their rights as prisoners. Against the Wall is a glorified accounting of this uprising, and worth the viewing. As a made for TV movie, it is one of the best I have seen in a long while, I strongly suggest if you get the opportunity, give it a view.

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A new guard, Kyle MacLachlan, is facing his fist day in the bowels of the Earth known as Attica Penitentiary. As his father before him, and perhaps other family members, he enters this legion of the damned with high hopes and lofty ideas. He believes in justice, not only for victims, but also for the prisoners. However, believing in something, and seeing it come to fruit are two entirely different things.

As luck would have it, his introduction into the prison system doesn’t work out for the best. Militant forces, lead by Clarence Williams III (Mod Squad fame) begins a riot that leads to the capture of the guards, the destruction of a good deal of the prison, and the death of quite a few. His adversary, yet compatriot, is Samuel L. Jackson (an outstanding performer).

Jackson and Williams come to heads several times during the uprising, each demanding terms be met for their opposing values. Jackson believes in what Williams is looking for, a more fair and just treatment of prisoners, but not in the road he is taking to achieve it. MacLachlan is caught between these two forces.

MacLachlan refuses to bend to the wishes of Williams, refusing to wear shoes (one of the inmates stole his), refusing to use the ‘facilities’, refusing food. Jackson tries to reason with MacLachlan, telling him he is only demeaning himself, not Williams, by refusing the few snippets of cordiality being offered.

Meanwhile, back in the city, the alarm that everyone knows and fears, blares out over the city, letting it’s inhabitants know there is trouble at the prison. MacLachlan’s family, including his beautiful wife, Anne Heche, gathers at the gates of the prison awaiting the outcome. All fear that government officials will step in and take the only action that seems available, complete destruction of the warring parties gathered in the prison yard. Unfortunately, this includes the captive guards as well as the reluctant prisoners, captured in their own set of untimely circumstances. Of course, officials make a decision that leads to major loss of life, but feel this is the only course available to them.

sitting on the sidelines

Again, I can’t say enough about the quality of this film. The acting was outstanding, with a really powerful story line behind it. Filming was done, at times, a little too realistically, but we are dealing with true life, not some made up hookie stuff here.

Williams is just evil enough to make you hate him. You can see the pent up years of dejection and oppression he has behind him and it transfers into his character. I believe in true life, he is quite outspoken about civil rights and repression and at times his character becomes very real.

Jackson is probably one of the unsung heroes in Hollywood. It is unfortunate that he gets so little recognition for the roles he plays because he is one powerful actor.

MacLachlan gives you a hero to root for and also one to say “What the Hell are you thinking?” about. He doesn’t flinch as he stands up for HIS rights, another powerful performance.

Some may find parts of this a little rough to watch. Some of the comments are derogatory and shameful, but the times were so much different then. We WERE a shameful society, not that there has been much change there, but truth is often a hard pill to swallow.

The production itself was exemplary. Definitely a four star movie. Directed by John Frankenheimer.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age
Special Effects: Well at least you can't see the strings