Cell 211 (2009)

The story of two men on different sides of a prison riot -- the inmate leading the rebellion and the young guard trapped in the revolt, who poses as a prisoner in a desperate attempt to survive the ordeal.

Director:

Daniel Monzón

Writers:

Jorge Guerricaechevarría (adaptation), Daniel Monzón (adaptation)

Stars:

Luis Tosar, Alberto Ammann, Antonio Resines

44 wins & 27 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Luis Tosar	...	Malamadre
Alberto Ammann	...	Juan Oliver
Antonio Resines	...	José Utrilla
Manuel Morón	...	Ernesto Almansa
Carlos Bardem	...	Apache
Marta Etura	...	Elena
Luis Zahera	...	Releches
Fernando Soto	...	Armando Nieto
Vicente Romero	...	Tachuela
Manolo Solo	...	Director cárcel
Patxi Bisquert	...	Jon Arteaga 'Potolo'
Josean Bengoetxea	...	Antxon Elorza 'El Profesor'
Anartz Zuazua	...	Asier Urruticoechea 'El Txiqui'
Miguel Martín	...	Pincho
Félix Cubero	...	Germán

Storyline

Juan Oliver wants to make a good impression at his new job as a prison officer and reports to work a day early, leaving his pregnant wife, Elena, at home. His destiny is forever changed by this fateful decision, as during his tour of the prison, an accident occurs that knocks him unconscious. He is rushed to the empty but visibly haunted walls of cell 211. As this diversion unfolds, inmates of the high security cell block strategically break free and hijack the penitentiary. Aware of the violence that is to come, the prison officers flee, leaving Juan stranded and unconscious in the heart of the riot. When Juan awakens, he immediately takes stock of the situation; in order to survive, he must pretend to be a prisoner. Juan develops a dialogue with the violent leader of the riot, Badass, and the two begin a partnership, Badass fully believing that Juan is a new inmate. Negotiations go smoothly until the rioters take three ETA (the militant Basque separatist organization) prisoners ...

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Plot Keywords:

spain | caligula character | prison riot | penitentiary | walkie talkie | 

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Taglines:

A riot, a man trapped, a single goal, survive

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Juan José Ballesta auditioned several times for a role.

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Goofs

When the minister is heading to the prison, the car he is driven in is shown as an Audi A6 (1997) from the front, when arriving to the prison the car is shown from behind, but this is an Audi A8 (2005) model.

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Quotes

Malamadre: So the guards beat you up your first day. You must have pissed them off.
Juan Oliver: I do my best.

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Connections

Referenced in Estrenos Críticos: Sabotaje, Mas allá del Amor, Borgman, La Cueva, El abuelo que saltó por la ventana y se largó (2014)

User Reviews

Great Spanish Jail Thriller

A Spanish thriller based on the eponymous novel by Francisco Pérez Gandul.

Cell 211 tells the story of a riot inside a dangerous ward, just when a new prison officer is having his introductory visit to the same. By chance, he sees himself locked in with the rioters and, to survive, he assumes, a new identity as a prisoner.

Although the story is not especially original, the characters and the script are very good, the situation is completely believable within the Spanish social and jail context, and the end is not as predictable as you might expect. Moreover, the movie is unpretentious and fresh, which makes it even more enjoyable.

The acting is very good by all the cast, but especially by Luis Tosar as Malamadre, by Alberto Ammann as Juan Oliveras, and Antonio Resines as Prison officer Utrilla.

A very entertaining Spanish thriller with very good acting, that won 8 Goyas (Spanish Oscars) in 2009.

Details

Official Sites:

Official [Spain]

Country:

Spain France

Language:

Spanish Basque English

Release Date:

6 November 2009 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Cell 211

Filming Locations:

Spain

Box Office

Budget:

EUR3,500,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$19,305,314

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+ España, Canal+, La Fabrique 2

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1