Writ writer [videorecording] / a co-production of Susanne Mason and the Independent Television Service (ITVS), in association with Latino Public Broadcasting ; produced by Passage Productions ; directed [and] produced by Susanne Mason ; narration adapted by Dagoberto Gilb.

Independent lens (Television program)

Subtitle on container: One man's journey for justice

9781574482331
1574482335

[Harriman, N.Y.] : New Day Films, c2008.

English

Closed-captioned.

1 videodisc (54 min.) : sd., col. with b&w sequences ; 4 3/4 in.

884501039949

HV8658.C7 W75 2008

791.43

In 1960, Fred Arispe Cruz, a young man from San Antonio, Texas, was arrested for robbery, convicted and sent to a state prison farm to pick cotton. Inspired by the civil rights movement, Cruz, a Mexican American with only an 8th grade education, became jailhouse lawyer-- writ writer in prison parlance-- and the catalyst of prison reform in Texas. Because he helped other prisoners with lawsuits, the Texas Department of Corrections classified Cruz as an agitator, transferred him to the Ellis Unit "the Alcatraz of Texas," and subjected him to long periods in solitary confinement. Cruz filed a case against George Beto, director of the TDC, which Cruz won in the Supreme Court. This led directly to the 1974 class action suit that found the TDC system unconstitutional. As told by wardens, convicts, and former prisoners who knew him, the film weaves contemporary and archival film footage to evoke the fascinating transformation of Fred Cruz from prisoner to activist, and a prison system still haunted by its past.

"The narration of this film was adapted [by Dagoberto Gilb] from the writings and testimony of Fred Arispe Cruz"--End credits.
Documentary originally produced in 2007.
Voice of Fred Cruz, Jesse Borrego ; commentators, John V. Martinez, Erasmo Mercado, Rudy Portillo, Paul Lucko, Benny Clewis, William Bennett Turner, Carl Robins, Floyd Patterson, Al Slayton, Carlos Alva, Billy Wayne McCarter, C.L. 'Beartracks' McAdams, Robert Barber, Steve Martin, Jacquie Jalet Gordon, Vanessa Jalet Stanescu, Robert Cousins.

Cinematography, Deborah Eve Lewis ; editing, Karen Skloss ... [et al.] ; original music, Gabe Rhodes and Joel Guzman ; consultant, John V. Martinez ; research, Susanne Mason, Robin Carter.

Television premiere, June 3, 2008, on Public Broadcasting Services's series Independent Lens, season 9, episode 23.

MPAA rating: Not rated.

DVD ; NTSC, region 1.

Official selection: SXSW Film Festival, 2008 ; San Diego Latino, Film Festival, 2008.

Information about the film from the official Writ Writer website:
Information about the film plus educational materials from PBS's Independent Lens website:

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