Against the Wall

Against the Wall

Year: 1994

Runtime: 111 mins

Language: English

Director: John Frankenheimer

TV MovieDramaHistory

In 1971, a warden at Attica Penitentiary finds himself thrust into a violent hostage crisis after inmates seize control of the facility to demand humane living conditions. The confrontation ends in tragedy, with 39 men losing their lives, and the film chronicles the harrowing events that followed.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Against the Wall (1994)

Trace every key event in Against the Wall (1994) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Opening montage of national unrest

The film opens with a rapid montage of late 1960s and early 1970s news footage, including the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, the Kent State shootings, and the Watts riots. This sequence sets the political fever surrounding Attica and foreshadows the prisoners' demand for basic human rights within the facility. It frames the uprising as part of a larger national struggle rather than a single incident.

Opening sequence National news media montage
2

Smith starts his new job at Attica

A 22-year-old Smith gets a barber shop haircut, then reports to work as a corrections officer at Attica. He is drawn by pay and a sense of responsibility, contrasting with the quiet streets of Attica. The scene begins to map out his conflict between duty and conscience.

Day 1, morning Attica Correctional Facility
3

Jamaal X arrives; first day cross-cut

The film follows Smith and inmate Jamaal X on their first day, cutting between their parallel experiences. The harsh prison conditions are revealed as guards abuse prisoners and basic needs go unmet. Cross-cutting underscores the chasm between the guards' authority and the inmates' humanity.

Day 1 Attica Correctional Facility
4

Prison conditions spark resentment

Rumors of degrading conditions spread as politicized prisoners demand better treatment. Jamaal X emerges as a leader in the fight for prisoner rights, inspiring others to challenge the status quo. Smith begins to see the humanity behind the inmates, forcing him to confront his own complicity.

Day 1-2 Attica Correctional Facility
5

Smith's empathy clashes with peers

Smith is the only officer who treats inmates with respect, and his sympathy makes his coworkers wary. Veteran officers like Lieutenant Weisbad insist on unchallengeable control, often resorting to humiliation to maintain order. The clash foreshadows the breakdown of routine authority.

Day 1-2 Prison staff areas
6

Beating in the metal shop shifts Smith's resolve

During a shift in the metal shop, Smith is beaten by prisoners, a brutal turn that shatters his willingness to follow orders. The attack marks a turning point, pushing him to reassess his role in the system. He begins to question whether he can stay loyal to supervisors who tolerate abuse.

Day 2 Metal shop, Attica
7

Prison uprising begins as a gate malfunctions

Chaka and other inmates overwhelm some officers and take them hostage when a gate malfunctions. Jamaal X protects the hostages, understanding that killing them would derail any chance to negotiate with officials. The uprising moves from protests to a threatened crisis.

Day 3 Gate area, Attica
8

Smith refuses to degrade himself for basic needs

Smith refuses to humiliate himself to obtain basic needs, telling his fellow officers that he wasn't a guard long enough to learn how to be a prisoner. Jamaal begins to respect his integrity, and their uneasy alliance grows. The hostages' fate becomes tied to their mutual dignity rather than brute force.

Day 3-4 Hostage compound
9

Jamaal recruits Smith to speak to the press

Jamaal recruits Smith to speak to a news crew and testify that the hostages have not been tortured or killed. The testimony reframes public perception and gives the prisoners a negotiable stake in the outcome. Smith's confidence and sense of self-worth begin to crystallize.

Day 4 News crew location
10

News conference cements the shift in perception

During the press conference, Smith hints that dignity matters more to him than the approval of others. The moment signals a shift in the uprising's narrative, spotlighting Smith's personal transformation. Jamaal's alliance with him solidifies under media scrutiny.

Day 4 News conference area
11

Governor ends negotiations; raid ordered

On the fifth day, New York's governor ends negotiations and orders a raid by law enforcement and soldiers. Tear gas fills the corridors as inmates and hostages scramble to respond to the breach. The stage is set for a violent conclusion.

Day 5 Attica Correctional Facility
12

Hostages and guards come under fire

The assault erupts with indiscriminate gunfire and choking gas as lines of law enforcement move in. Chaka and Lieutenant Weisbad are killed amid the chaos, marking the dramatic toll of the crackdown. The prison's control structure collapses under external force.

Day 5 Prison yards / corridors
13

Smith is shot; Jamaal is wounded

In the violence of the raid, Smith is shot several times in the stomach by a fellow New York State Police officer. Jamaal X is wounded by a stray bullet, and the uprising's violent end is brought into sharp relief. Both men survive the immediate crisis but are forever changed.

Day 5 Prison yard / surrounding areas
14

Epilogue: prison population and conditions

The epilogue presents statistics showing a 300 percent rise in the U.S. prison population since the uprising, highlighting ongoing overcrowding and human rights concerns. The Attica riot is portrayed as a catalyst for the broader prison reform debate that followed. The film closes by tying personal courage to systemic critique.

Post-uprising Epilogue

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:32

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Against the Wall Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Against the Wall, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Against the Wall Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Against the Wall

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Against the Wall

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