Chattahoochee (1989)

17% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(1,452 ratings)

Since Chattahoochee is a story based on true events, it may seem absurd to suggest that the actual events of Chattahoochee are pirated from other true-life tales like Gideon's Trumpet. But it certainly seems as if true stories are just as derivative as any fictional narrative coming out of… More Since Chattahoochee is a story based on true events, it may seem absurd to suggest that the actual events of Chattahoochee are pirated from other true-life tales like Gideon's Trumpet. But it certainly seems as if true stories are just as derivative as any fictional narrative coming out of Hollywood. The Chattahoochee saga details the Emmett Foley (Gary Oldman) story. The film takes place in 1955, when Foley, a Korean war veteran depressed and shattered by continual unemployment, snaps and shoots up his neighborhood, hoping that the police will come and shoot him down like a crazed dog so that his wife Mae (Frances McDormand) can collect on the insurance money. Instead of being gunned down by the law enforcement officers, he is sent to Chattahoochee, a notorious prison for the mentally ill which makes The Snake Pit look like a vacation in Bermuda. The gruesome conditions in the jail send Foley into listlessness. But then his anger gets the better of him and, encouraged by a friend, Walker Benson (Dennis Hopper), he begins sending letters to the authorities protesting the sub-human conditions in the mental facility. Due to his efforts, a state commission is formed to investigate conditions in Chattahoochee, and Foley has a chance to tell the world of the horrible conditions. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Mick Jackson
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Sep 16, 2003
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
This fact based story from the mid 50s American penal system is a sobering and dramatic reminder of how many states treated mentally ill patients, criminal or otherwise
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Off the beaten track, but too bleak to merit the detour.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cindy I

Hard as hell to sit through, but SO worth it if you do. Gary Oldman plays a Korean War veteran who cracks up and is sent to an asylum/prison camp that makes the farm in Cool Hand Luke look like Disneyland. Supposedly based on a true story about a place in Louisiana. Oldman is… More
Hard as hell to sit through, but SO worth it if you do. Gary Oldman plays a Korean War veteran who cracks up and is sent to an asylum/prison camp that makes the farm in Cool Hand Luke look like Disneyland. Supposedly based on a true story about a place in Louisiana. Oldman is fantastic. He's so talented. It's a shame he wastes so much effort playing freaks -- True Romance, anyone?
Lafe F

Based on a true story, a Korean war vet named Emmett Folley (played by Gary Oldman) can't adjust to life back home and has a crisis with the law. He is sent to Chattahoochee, an outhouse of an institution where the state of Florida locks the mentally ill and the criminals… More
Based on a true story, a Korean war vet named Emmett Folley (played by Gary Oldman) can't adjust to life back home and has a crisis with the law. He is sent to Chattahoochee, an outhouse of an institution where the state of Florida locks the mentally ill and the criminals together. Emmet is a rebel against the cruel guards. Emmet's wife and kid are visiting less and less, so Emmet finds companionship in Walker Benson (played by Dennis Hopper). The two of them talk of escaping this place, but Emmett has a bigger idea... A movie of the human spirit against all disgusting odds; they were probably hoping for Academy Award nominations with this one. It's grim and gritty, but is ultimately a joy to watch.
Anthony V

Great performances by Oldman, Hopper, Reed and McDormand add to the intriguing true story of one patient's battle to reform a mental institution. Nice direction and realistic throughout.

Cast

            Gary Oldman as Emmett Foley

            Dennis Hopper as Walker Benson

            Frances McDormand as Mae Foley

            Pamela Reed as Earlene

            Ned Beatty as Dr. Harwood

            M. Emmet Walsh as Morris

            Raul Apartella as First Man at Investigation

            Shane Baily as Orell

            Kevin Barber as Upside-down Inmate

            Don Wayne Bass as First Guard

            Suzi Bass as Harwood's Secretary

            Peggy Beasley as Mae's Mother

            John Brasington as Dr. Towney

            F. Drucilla Brookshire
            
            Gary Bullock as Sadistic Attendant

            Traber Burns as Miami Cop

            Jerry Campbell as Inmate in Tunnel

            Kevin Campbell as Inmate in Cesspool

            Marc Clement as Theo

            Kathryn Cobb as Miami Nurse

            Bill Collins
            
            Matt Craven as Lonny

            James "Fred" Culclasure as Hymn-singing Inmate

            William De Acutis as Missy

            Michael Easler as Attendant

            Wilbur Fitzgerald as Duane

            David Fitzsimmons as Ambulance Driver

            Kristi Frankenheimer as Weather Girl

            Jim Gloster as Miami Attendant

            Ed Grady as Stream of Conciousness Man

            Robert Gravel as Lucas

            Dorothy L. Grissom Hardin as Women on Street

            E. Pat Hall as Inmate in Movie Theater

            Bob Hannah as Karl

            Whitey Hughes as Mr. Johnson

            Roger Jackson as Inmate

            Gary Howard Klar as Clarence

            B.J. Koonce as Woman at Investigation

            Charles Lawler
            
            Joe Loy as Quincy Cop

            Wesley Mann
            
            Mykel Mariette as Male Nurse

            Yvonne Denise Mason as Ella

            Douglas F. McDaniel as Jimbob

            Wallace Merck as Patrolman

            Tim Monich as Cop

            Laurens Moore as Pa Foley

            George Nannerello as Patient Without Shoes

            William Newman as Jonathan

            Ralph Pace as Leonard

            Richard Portnow as Dr. Debner

            Jim E. Quick as Dr. Everly

            Randy Randolph as Miami Guard

            Jill Rankin as Governor's Secretary

            Chris Robertson
            
            Timothy Scott as Harley

            Perry Simpson
            
            Lee Wilkof as Vernon

            Bud Davis
            
            David Dwyer as Goading Attendant

            Mindy Marin
            
            C.K. Bibby as Baker

            Mary Tyler Moore as Ma Foley
See full cast