Cradle Will Rock (1999)

A true story of politics and art in the 1930s USA, centered around a leftist musical drama and attempts to stop its production.

Director:

Tim Robbins

Writer:

Tim Robbins

Stars:

Hank Azaria, Rubén Blades, Joan Cusack

5 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hank Azaria	...	Marc Blitzstein
Rubén Blades	...	Diego Rivera
Joan Cusack	...	Hazel Huffman
John Cusack	...	Nelson Rockefeller
Cary Elwes	...	John Houseman
Philip Baker Hall	...	Gray Mathers
Cherry Jones	...	Hallie Flanagan
Angus Macfadyen	...	Orson Welles
Bill Murray	...	Tommy Crickshaw
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Countess Constance LaGrange
Susan Sarandon	...	Margherita Sarfatti
Jamey Sheridan	...	John Adair
John Turturro	...	Aldo Silvano
Emily Watson	...	Olive Stanton
Bob Balaban	...	Harry Hopkins

Storyline

In 1930s New York Orson Welles tries to stage a musical on a steel strike under the Federal Theater Program despite pressure from an establishment fearful of industrial unrest and red activity. Meanwhile Nelson Rockefeller gets the foyer of his company headquarters decorated and an Italian countess sells paintings for Mussolini.

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Plot Keywords:

1930s | play | theater | union | communism | 

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Taglines:

Art is never dangerous -- unless it tells the truth.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

12 April 2000 (France)

Also Known As:

Abajo el telón

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$32,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$93,998 (USA) (10 December 1999)

Gross:

$2,899,970 (USA) (21 April 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cradle Productions Inc., Havoc, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cary Elwes and Angus Macfadyen would later act in the "Saw" series, as Doctor Gordon in "Saw" and Jeff Reinhart in Saws "3" and "4" respectively.

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Goofs

When Italy invaded, Ethiopia was still known as Abyssinia

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Quotes

Orson Welles: No one should be afraid of an idea!

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Crazy Credits

This film was edited on old fashioned machines.

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Connections

References Camera Three: The Cradle Will Rock (1964)

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Soundtracks

"Art for Art's Sake"
Written by Marc Blitzstein
Performed by Henry Stram, Erin Hill, Daniel Jenkins (as Dan Jenkins),
Timothy Jerome (as Tim Jerome), Victoria Clark (as Vicki Clark) and Chris McKinney
Courtesy of RCA Records

User Reviews

A Brilliant Depiction of the Universal Struggle of Artists

Tim Robbins creates a brilliant social commentary in the same in-your-face style as "Bob Roberts". I adore the statements Robbins makes about social politics, as well as the problems with the idea of "art for art's sake". He lyrically tells the story of the struggle of performing and visual artists around the Depression era, choosing between their art and their livelihood--a struggle that is universal for artists through the expanse of time. The concept of this film is a breakthrough for the big screen, since Hollywood seems to be the capital of "selling out". The comments on artistic integrity are strong and literally moving in the acting of an amazing cast, as well as the way in which the story is edited to David Robbins' beautiful score. The entire film is simply poetic. This film is truly a masterpiece to any artist, or to anyone who knows what it like to compromise your values to survive.