Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison

"Out of Darkness, Comes Light"

Oct 18 2008 N/A 1h 30m
Documentary

Cash's concert at Folsom State Prison in California in January 1968 touched a raw nerve in the American psyche and made him a national hero at a troubled time in American history. Using the stark images of rock photographer Jim Marshall, graphic techniques, archive footage and interviews with Merle Haggard, Cash's daughter Rosanne, band members Marshall Grant and WS 'Fluke' Holland, alongside former inmates of the prison, the film documents this explosive concert, the live album that followed and a transformative moment in the lives of Cash, the inmates of Folsom Prison and the American nation in the troubled year of 1968.

Plot

By 1968, Cash was still a star, but he was a man with sometime to prove as he sought to rise from a career slump brought on by a battle with drugs that took a toll on his body and spirit. That year, Cash performed a concert for the inmates of California's Folsom Prison, and the show was recorded for a live album. Cash delivered one of the greatest performances of his life that day, stark and heartfelt and full of empathy for the broken souls listening to his music, and the album that resulted was a surprise hit, reestablishing Cash as one of country music's most powerful and respected artists.

Written by

Michael Streissguth

Directed by

Bestor Cram

Cast

Gene Beley, Jim Brown, June Carter Cash

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
245
Average Rating
6.9 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA