CRADLE WILL ROCK

Year: 1999
UK: Buena Vista International
Cast: Hank Azaria, Ruben Blades, Joan Cusack, John Cusack, Cary Elwes, Philip Baker Hall, Cherry Jones, Angus MacFadyen, Bill Murray, Vanessa Redgrave, Susan Sarandon, Jamey Sheridan, John Turturro, Emily Watson, Bob Balaban, Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Paul Giamatti, Barnard Hughes, Barbara Sukowa, John Carpenter, Gretchen Mol, Harris Yulin, Gil Robbins, Corina Katt, Chris McKinney, Robert Aberdeen, Lee Arenberg, Christopher Bauer, Matthew Bennett, William Duell, Erin Hill, Evan Katz, Tim Robbins, Steven Skybell, Stephen Spinella, Alysia Zucker
Director: Tim Robbins
Country: USA
Languages: English / Italian
USA: 132 mins
UK: 134 mins
USA Rated: R for some language and sexuality
UK Certificate: 15 for some strong language and moderate sexual references
USA Release Date: 10 December 1999
UK Release Date: 21 April 2000


Synopsis

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