Celda 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

43 wins & 24 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 ...

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

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:

$5,700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$2,056,510 (Spain), 6 November 2009, Limited Release

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$19,300,483, 31 December 2011

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie is dedicated to Luis Ángel Puente, a fireman of the city of Zamora (Spain) where the film is located. He participated in the film and died rescuing two boys in the Duero river shortly after.

---

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.

---

Quotes

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

---

Connections

Referenced in El hormiguero: Alberto Ammann (2017)

User Reviews

Excellent and fiercely tense prison film

Concerning a rookie guard who must pose as a prisoner once a full scale riot breaks out, Cell 211 is an absolute gem.

Fiercely tense with a cracking pace, an edgy sense of urgency and some ugly scenes of brutality, it's also got some great and believable performances as well as some rather poignant scenes, as bonds are made between prisoners and our protagonist gets to see things from their perspective.

Yet the last thing Cell 211 is is generic. It has some refreshingly genuine left field unexpected twists and developments that keep you pretty much hooked, from its attention grabbing opening scene to its blistering conclusion. It also does a great job of keeping you in suspense as to whether or not our protagonist will be discovered, with the viewer left under no illusions what will happen to him if he is.

It's also got some very decent production values and mercifully refrains from that awful jump cut editing during the more chaotic prison scenes.

But best of all is its sheer unpredictability as trust me- after the hour mark, you really won't be sure how things are gonna turn out and will be hooked all the more.

Overall a great film and highly highly recommended. See it now, you'll be glad you did. 9/10, Sheer class from Spain.