Cradle Will Rock

Angus Macfadyen, Bill Murray, Cary Elwes

The art and theater world of 1930s New York City is the backdrop for the new Touchstone Pictures film "Cradle Will Rock." As labor strikes break out throughout the country, New York City is alive with...( read more  read more... ) a burgeoning cultural revolution. "Cradle Will Rock" is a tapestry of interwoven stories: Nelson Rockefeller commissions Mexican artist Diego Rivera to paint the lobby of Rockefeller Center, while Italian propagandist Margherita Sarfatti sells Da Vincis to millionaires to fund the Mussolini war effort. A paranoid ventriloquist tries to rid his vaudeville troupe of communists, and a 22-year-old Orson Welles directs his Federal Theater group in an infamous stage production of "The Cradle Will Rock," closed down on the eve of its opening by U.S. soldiers. Based on true events, "Cradle Will Rock" relives an exciting and dangerous time in American history, when individual courage prevailed censorship, and artists risked their livelihood by continuing to perform and paint according to conscience.

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68% liked it

Critics

63% liked it

R, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Tim Robbins

Released: December 8, 1999

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DVD Released: May 16, 2000

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Top Flixster Reviews


  • December 10, 2008
    Huge cast made it fun to watch, along with the 30's atmosphere. Yet another example of how John and Joan Cusack cannot be apart in movies (much to my dismay). I had no idea the 30's had so much anti communist attacks. A neat piece of history. I especially liked Diego's painti... ...( read more )
  • March 28, 2009
    this film is tim robbins' directorial debut. it tells the story of the musical that would not be denied its first performance because of the downfall of the wpa. robbins' style owes a lot to altman in its weaving of many strands of narrative in to a whole. he runs the risk at tim... ...( read more )
  • February 14, 2009
    It's certainly fun to watch familiar actors jump from around every corner. If this had been a play, I think I would have loved it. But although the story is interesting, and spotlights a forgotten era in American history, I don't think it works as a movie. The narrative just does... ...( read more )
  • January 3, 2009
    wow umn just seen this movie 4 the 1st time n think that this is a pretty good movie 2 watch...its got a good cast of actors/actressess throughout this movie...i think that susan sarandon, hank azaria both play good parts throughout this movie....i think that john n joan cusack b... ...( read more )
  • April 2, 2008
    EVERYONE is in this movie! It's long, but it's worth it. I used to think that theatre in the US should be more like some of the European countries and receive state support, but now that I've seen that the American government failed in the past I pray it never happens again. T... ...( read more )

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