The film opens with an interview featuring Richard McGee, a prison reform advocate, who points out that viewers should acknowledge their own role in the problems within the penal system, especially given recent prison disturbances. The narrative then shifts to Block 11, where it’s surprisingly simple – considering the widespread unrest – for inmates to overpower a guard, seize three of his coworkers as hostages, and …

It was quite unexpected to learn that the lesser-known film *Riot in Cell Block 11* is being released on DVD through Criterion soon. The movie is a semi-documentary noir from the early 1950s, depicting a fictional riot at Folsom State Prison in California. The film presents itself as a documentary, foregoing typical noir elements like dramatic shadows and flashy camera work. But don’t let its appearance fool you; …