In 1887, Nellie Bly went to the New York World with a proposition. She had been a reporter for the Pittsburgh Dispatch and wanted a job with the World...and her first assignment would be to infiltrate the dreaded women's mental asylum on Blackwell's Island in New York City. So, Bly checked in to a nearby rooming house and began behaving strangely in the hopes that she's be committed to the institution. And, soon she ended up on Blackwell's Island...where it turned out the residents were treated like animals by brutal and indifferent staff. After 10 days in this hellhole, she was released and soon wrote a series of articles about the place...and eventually they were published as a book called "10 Days in a Madhouse".
This film lacks big name actors. Nellie was played by a relative newcomer (Caroline Barry) and the only 'stars' were Christopher Lambert as the head doctor and Kelly LeBrock as one of the sadistic nurses. But the lack of stars didn't work against the film, as the story seemed more real without the fancy big stars or a huge fancy budget. And, since it had a very low budget I was able to look past a few of the film's shortcomings...though the final song was so schmaltzy and annoying I had to deduct a point despite my respecting and enjoying the movie.
The story is very tough to watch at times...and my wife had a hard time watching along with me. It is even worse when you realize that the story is based on fact...and the mental asylum was worse than any prison. Well made all around...just not particularly pleasant viewing.
This film lacks big name actors. Nellie was played by a relative newcomer (Caroline Barry) and the only 'stars' were Christopher Lambert as the head doctor and Kelly LeBrock as one of the sadistic nurses. But the lack of stars didn't work against the film, as the story seemed more real without the fancy big stars or a huge fancy budget. And, since it had a very low budget I was able to look past a few of the film's shortcomings...though the final song was so schmaltzy and annoying I had to deduct a point despite my respecting and enjoying the movie.
The story is very tough to watch at times...and my wife had a hard time watching along with me. It is even worse when you realize that the story is based on fact...and the mental asylum was worse than any prison. Well made all around...just not particularly pleasant viewing.