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IMDbPro

Medium Cool

  • 19691969
  • RR
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
Medium Cool (1969)
A TV news reporter finds himself becoming personally involved in the violence that erupts around the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Play trailer3:22
1 Video
96 Photos
  • Drama
A TV news reporter finds himself becoming personally involved in the violence that erupts around the 1968 Democratic National Convention.A TV news reporter finds himself becoming personally involved in the violence that erupts around the 1968 Democratic National Convention.A TV news reporter finds himself becoming personally involved in the violence that erupts around the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Haskell Wexler
  • Writer
    • Haskell Wexler
  • Stars
    • Robert Forster
    • Verna Bloom
    • Peter Bonerz
Top credits
  • Director
    • Haskell Wexler
  • Writer
    • Haskell Wexler
  • Stars
    • Robert Forster
    • Verna Bloom
    • Peter Bonerz
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 56User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
    • 87Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 4 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:22
    Trailer

    Photos96

    Medium Cool (1969)
    Medium Cool (1969)
    Medium Cool (1969)
    Medium Cool (1969)
    Medium Cool (1969)
    Medium Cool (1969)
    Medium Cool (1969)
    Medium Cool (1969)
    Medium Cool (1969)
    Medium Cool (1969)
    Medium Cool (1969)
    Medium Cool (1969)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Forster
    Robert Forster
    • John Cassellisas John Cassellis
    Verna Bloom
    Verna Bloom
    • Eileenas Eileen
    Peter Bonerz
    Peter Bonerz
    • Gusas Gus
    Marianna Hill
    Marianna Hill
    • Ruthas Ruth
    Harold Blankenship
    • Haroldas Harold
    Charles Geary
    • Harold's Fatheras Harold's Father
    Sid McCoy
    • Frank Bakeras Frank Baker
    Christine Bergstrom
    • Dedeas Dede
    William Sickingen
    • News Directoras News Director
    Robert McAndrew
    Robert McAndrew
    • Pennybakeras Pennybaker
    Marrian Walters
    Marrian Walters
    • Social Workeras Social Worker
    Beverly Younger
    • Rich Ladyas Rich Lady
    Edward Croke
    • Plain-clothesmanas Plain-clothesman
    Doug Kimball
    • Newscasteras Newscaster
    Peter Boyle
    Peter Boyle
    • Gun Clinic Manageras Gun Clinic Manager
    Georgia Todda
    • Secretaryas Secretary
    Sandra Ann Roberts
    • Blonde in Caras Blonde in Car
    Janet Langhart
    • Maidas Maid
    • Director
      • Haskell Wexler
    • Writer
      • Haskell Wexler
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The main character was originally called "John Cassavetes" and was in fact going to be played by actor-director John Cassavetes. When he withdrew from the film due to a scheduling conflict, the character's name was changed to "John Cassellis" and Robert Forster was cast in the role.
    • Goofs
      When Eileen enters the L looks for Harold, she is wearing a white hair band, but when they show her sitting on the L, the hair band is missing.
    • Quotes

      John Cassellis: If I gotta be afraid in order for your argument to work, then you got no argument.

    • Crazy credits
      Studs Terkel is credited as "Our Man in Chicago".
    • Alternate versions
      Due to copyright disputes, all video releases feature some different songs on the soundtrack from the theatrical version.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Sweet Georgia Brown
      by Ben Bernie, Kenneth Casey and Maceo Pinkard

      Performed by Brother Bones

      Courtesy of Tempo Records

      Played during roller derby scene

    User reviews56

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    MEDIUM COOL (Haskell Wexler, 1969) ***1/2
    A brilliant film and a seminal one - a product by a major Hollywood studio handled in cinema-verite' style; besides, the various issues it raises - social, political and media-related - have scarcely been treated with such directness and power. The lack of star names in the cast (Peter Boyle, who appears briefly, was not yet established and, even if he had debuted in John Huston's REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE [1967], lead Robert Forster's role was originally intended for John Cassavetes) certainly helps sell its inherent documentary feel.

    Though, understandably, most meaningful to people who witnessed these turbulent times first-hand, and Americans in particular, despite its specific time-setting - Chicago 1968 (partly shot at the actual Democrats convention site, the film proved prophetic because the script involved riots breaking out...which is what actually happened!) - many of its concerns are still very much with us!! Fascinating therefore if slightly overlong - the subplot involving Verna Bloom and Harold Blankenship feels a bit like padding at first (and was actually what remained of a proposed film, with animal interest, about a poor country boy's adjustment to city life!)...but, ultimately, its point is made during the film's latter stages when Bloom goes to look for her missing son - creating an indelible image of a perplexed figure (incongruously dressed in a bright yellow outfit) getting embroiled in all the commotion hitting the streets at that same moment. This, however, results in a goof involving the unexplained presence very early on of Bloom (already wearing the yellow dress but whose introduction proper in the film takes place quite a bit later!) at a cocktail party for members of the press - a sequence intended to immediately precede the riots but which was then pushed forward during editing, so as to deal straight off with the film's major theme of media responsibility! The tragic yet ironic ending - presented as matter-of-factly as any of the news items covered by dispassionate TV cameraman Forster - is very effective.

    This is certainly renowned cinematographer Wexler's most significant directorial effort; his camera-work (some of it hand-held) is simply incredible, as is Paul Golding's editing (which must have been quite a headache and, in fact, he mentions in the Audio Commentary that several scenes remained on the cutting-room floor; pity they weren't available for inclusion on the Paramount DVD - nor, apparently, were the rights to the 2001 documentary about the film, LOOK OUT HASKELL, IT'S REAL: THE MAKING OF 'MEDIUM COOL'!). Also essential to the unique texture of the film is the fantastic soundtrack (mostly by Mike Bloomfield but also featuring songs by Frank Zappa, among others).
    helpful•19
    2
    • Bunuel1976
    • Aug 23, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 6, 1970 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Concrete Wilderness
    • Filming locations
      • Grant Park, Downtown, Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production company
      • H & J
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $800,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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