Meuterei im Morgengrauen

"Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison", brutal warden Ted de Corsia (as Ben Rickey) cracks down hard on inmates who don't follow the rules, tripling sentences and making sure troublemakers are either shot dead or smacked upside the head. He favors hard-edged discipline, but newly arrived captain David Brian (as Mark Benson) wants Folsom to try a more humane approach with the prisoners. As the two men clash, the inmates contemplate the hellish conditions. Serving a life term, leader Steve Cochran (as Chuck Daniels) is planning an escape. Future "One Life to Live" star Philip Carey (as Red Pardue) wants to stay out of trouble...

Another in a long line of Warner Bros. productions encouraging better conditions those confined for wrongdoing, this one was written and directed by veteran actor Crane Wilbur. He makes the point. Supposedly, this film inspired Johnny Cash to write his classic "Folsom Prison Blues" (1955), but there are no train whistles, and plenty of sunshine herein; in fact, Mr. Cash copped his song from Gordon Jenkins' album "Seven Dreams" (1953). The escape plotted by Mr. Cochran is captivating. Early in the running time, "Dark Shadows" paroled convict Anthony George is the man holding the knife up near Mr. De Corsia's jugular.

****** Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison (5/18/51) Crane Wilbur ~ Steve Cochran, David Brian, Philip Carey, Ted de Corsia

I was really very shocked...pleasantly shocked...when the film began. The narration was among the most vivid and vicious I can ever recall hearing at a film's introduction! You can clearly tell this is NOT one of those films that is anti-prisoner but is an exposé of sorts about the evils of this particular prison! In many ways, the toughness and style remind me of another classic film..."Brute Force".

Soon the prison has a riot and several prisoners try to escape. A couple guards are killed and the psychotic Warden (played wonderfully by Ted de Corsia) seems almost happy about it! Now he can really make the prisoners' lives hell! He also beats the ring leader half to death...and seems to take pleasure doing this. He also uses stoolies...and then deliberately exposes them to the retribution of their fellow prisoners...all for kicks! It's obvious that the place is horrible even by prison standards...thanks to this sociopath.

Not surprisingly, a new Captain of the Guards is brought in from the outside (David Brian). He's not a sadist but has plans on straightening out the system and restoring humanity to Folsom. Surprisingly, the Warden lets him implement his reforms...but you also realize that sooner or later, the Captain's days are numbered and the Warden will attempt to destroy the Captain.

Overall, this is a very impressive film. After all, the film stars a lot of folks who are normally supporting actors and they all acquit themselves very well. This is also thanks to a taut script and excellent direction. Well worth seeing...and far better than I'd anticipated!

Who narrates? A snippet of this film is played in "Walk The Line", and the snippet has turned me into a whirling dervish. The narrator voice I CANNOT get out of my head. I have been on the main message board already. Any help would be appreciated. The narrator sounds like the burning bush voice in The Ten Commandmants. I know it is supposed to be Heston as the God voice in the Ten Commandmants, but ......I am not sure. The two voices, narrator Inside Folsom Prison, burning bush Ten Commandmants sound the same to me and I Do not think it was Charlton Heston. I don't know how much can be done with sound manipulation in the 50's. Is anyone else hearing what I am hearing or am I just crazy? Please see main message board, Trivia for thread of answers. Thanks for any help.

With the exception of Steve Cochran who did do some leads Inside The Walls Of Folsom Prison is a film Warner Brothers did with a whole lot of their supporting players. Both as convicts and guards they tell a gritty tale about Folsom Prison the place where all the really bad apples in the California Penal System go. Plus others when the system has no room elsewhere.

Ted DeCorsia got the career role in this film as the sadistic warden who takes real pleasure in meting out punishment. He has it arranged so he's like Pavlov conducting experiments with rodents all to give him maximum jollies.

Some of the cons are people like Cochran, Philip Carey, Paul Picerni, Michael Tolan and William Campbell. Carey's case is a particularly tragic one. He's due for parole and becomes enmeshed in some of the warden's games. Dorothy Hart has a tragic role herself as the expectant wife just waiting for her man to come home.

David Brian plays a guard who is sent by the prison board to help bring about some changes. He does to a limited extent, but he's defeated with a combination of DeCorsia's game playing and the fact that he's dealing with some really desperate characters.

Inside The Wall Of Folsom Prison is a gripping prison drama that does not let up in tension or drama. A great film about desperate men.

We are inside Folsom Prison and warden Ted de Corsia (Rickey) rules with an iron rod. His method involves strict rules and unofficial punishments dished out in vengeance. New supervisor David Brian (Benson) arrives and has a radical new approach in dealing with the inmates. He is going to use psychology - a bit of understanding and more humane conditions - in order to get prisoners on side. This sets him up in contrast with de Corsia. Of course, none of this has any effect or bearing on the behaviour of prisoners and the inmates still want to escape. Cue Steve Cochran (Daniels) and his plan....

The best characters in the film are de Corsia with his wicked manner and Cochran with his cool kid 'Danny Zuko' jacket. He belongs in "Grease" (1978). Brian is bland as the leading good guy. Yet, somehow, this is a likable film.