Cradle Will Rock
A lively political period drama about artists, financiers, and cultural institutions battling over who gets to put dissent onstage.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- provocative
- energetic
- political film night
- history discussion
What critics said
Critics generally found the film witty and provocative, praising its commentary on censorship and art while noting that its many interwoven themes can dilute the historical drama's focus.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The attempted musical, Rockefeller's headquarters, and the countess's art dealings unfold as connected strands of 1930s New York life.
The Federal Theater production faces establishment pressure because its labor subject and left-wing implications threaten powerful interests.
Welles and his collaborators persist in staging a controversial musical despite institutional and political intimidation.
The cast of figures includes Orson Welles, Nelson Rockefeller, Diego Rivera, John Houseman, and an Italian countess moving through theater, business, and art worlds.
Films like Cradle Will Rock, and why
The Front
shared historical drama, theatrical politics, censorship themes, and ensemble storytelling
Good Night, and Good Luck.
shared politically engaged period drama, artistic rebellion, and witty institutional critique
The Lives of Others
shared drama about artists confronting authoritarian pressure, propaganda, and moral compromise
The Player
shared theatrical setting, ensemble structure, and tension between art and political power
Movie Details
- Director
- Tim Robbins
- Release Date
- 1999-12-10
- Runtime
- 132 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (102)
Cast
- Hank Azaria
- Rubén Blades
- Joan Cusack
- John Cusack
- Cary Elwes
- Philip Baker Hall
- Cherry Jones
- Angus Macfadyen
- Bill Murray
- Vanessa Redgrave
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cradle Will Rock about?
- A lively political period drama about artists, financiers, and cultural institutions battling over who gets to put dissent onstage.
- What is Cradle Will Rock like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cradle Will Rock as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Cradle Will Rock violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Cradle Will Rock as mild.
- What did critics think of Cradle Will Rock?
- Critics generally found the film witty and provocative, praising its commentary on censorship and art while noting that its many interwoven themes can dilute the historical drama's focus.
- Which films are like Cradle Will Rock?
- Films with a similar feel include The Front, Good Night, and Good Luck., The Lives of Others, and The Player.
- How long is Cradle Will Rock?
- Cradle Will Rock runs 132 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cradle Will Rock?
- In United States, Cradle Will Rock is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.
