Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954)

Don Siegel's short (80 minutes) well-directed, low-budget film about Neville Brand (in a good performance) leading a prison revolt to improve living conditions. Its fast moving and predictable - except for its hard push for prison reform.

Unfortunately, that's let down by some implausible attitudes and characters. The "Good" Prisoners are impossibly decent/honorable - and the movie roots for Brand even after he kidnaps 9 Guards and  threatens to kill them!  Even more absurd, we're supposed to feel sad when Brand has to stand trial for leading the riot. Why would anyone honor a "get out of jail free card" that's given under duress* ?

 Summary: If you're in the mood for a Prison film, this is a good one of its kind. But I doubt its Criterion material. Rating **1/2 

* = Imagine an employee putting a gun to your wife's head and then demanding a pay raise and a written agreement that you won't call the police! Would that be legally binding?