Attica is a documentary movie directed by Stanley Nelson. On 13th September, 1971, the State of New York shot at its own citizens, killing 39 and injuring hundreds more. The survivors were tortured. The plan was to retake the D Yard of the prison, and this led to one of the bloodiest days in American history, laying the beginnings of one of the worst aspects of modern policing.
On 9th September, 1971, more than 1200 Attica inmates took control of the D Yard at the prison and held 42 officers and prison staff hostage. Over the next four days, they negotiated with the New York State Department of Corrections’ leaders, who had to even summon various public figures to serve as mediators and sympathetic figures. This became a public affairs scandal.
The film relies heavily on the experiences and recollections of those who were there. Nelson’s documentary features interviews with prisoners, observers,u and family members of hostages, and other figures connected to the prison. Attica was a maximum security facility, which means that most of the participating inmates were far from being receivers of sympathy from the civilians.
Furthermore, the prison population was predominantly black and Latino. The prisoners featured in the documentary are all presumably in their 70s or 80s now. Although none of them mention the crime that led to their incarceration, they do convey the human stories of a prison that most people would drain of all humanity. There could, however, be no one better to express the atrocious conditions they were living in, and no one better to recall the betrayal of the deal that the inmates thought they had made and the reasons it fell apart.
Is Attica on Amazon Prime?
Attica is not available on Amazon Prime. Some documentaries on the platform that are specifically based on the treatment of Blacks in the USA, that we recommend are – Selma and I Am Not Your Negro.
Is Attica on HBO Max?
Attica is not a part of HBO Max’s current offerings. Subscribers of this streaming platform will have to look for alternatives. HBO Max has several amazing documentary shows that viewers may enjoy. Death Row Stories, Paradise Lost, The Case Against Adnan Syed are some of our recommendations.
Is Attica on Hulu?
Attica is not available on Hulu. Fyre Fraud and Apollo 11 are our recommendations if you are looking for an alternative on the platform.
Is Attica on Netflix?
Although Attica is not available on Netflix, the platform is home to several historical documentaries that are worth a watch. Some of our favorites are – House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths, Conspiracy, Hitler’s Circle of Evil, and This is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist.
Where to watch Attica?
Attica was released in theaters in the USA on 16th October, 2021. There is no official word regarding the movie’s release on an online streaming platform. If you happen to catch the movie in theaters, take the necessary safety precautions in wake of the current pandemic situation.