A documentary about New York on the brink in 1975

NYC, 1975: the greatest, grittiest city on Earth is minutes away from bankruptcy when an unlikely alliance of rookies, rivals, fixers and flexers finds common ground - and a way out.

“An extraordinary historical documentary.”

— Richard Brody, The New Yorker

“Drop Dead City charts how those pivotal months of 1975 unfolded like a thriller.”

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety

“Drop Dead City succeeds superbly.”

— Chris Barsanti, Pop Matters

“Wonkish but gripping!”

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety

Upcoming Film Screenings

HELD FOR 14 WEEKS AT IFC

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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS AWARD WINNER

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91% Rotten Tomatoes

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HELD FOR 14 WEEKS AT IFC 〰️ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS AWARD WINNER 〰️ 91% Rotten Tomatoes 〰️

A group of people outside near a barricade, including a cameraman and several men in suits. Police officers in helmets are seen in the background.

Police protest, laid off cop holding System Sucketh sign, Brooklyn Bridge, NYC July 1, 1975 credit ABC VideoSource SMALL.jpg

NYC, trash strewn street, 1975 credit ABC News VideoSource.png

Protestors holding signs and American flags in front of skyscrapers, possibly the Twin Towers.

A group of people, some shirtless, gathered outdoors under a blue sky, with one person holding an American flag. They appear to be enthusiastically clapping and cheering. The Brooklyn Bridge is visible in the background.

Group of men in casual clothing interacting outdoors with city buildings in the background.

Garbage truck with "on strike" sign in front of piled trash bags and people standing nearby on a city street.

Protesters holding signs on a sidewalk, advocating for better school conditions. Signs read "Schools will not be Sweat shops" and "45 Kids per class is no class." They are associated with UFT NYSUT AFT AFL/CIO. People are wearing casual clothing.

NYC sanitation men on strike, July 1, 1975 credit ABC News VideoSource SMALL.jpg

NYC Sanitation men's strike signs, NYC, July 1, 1975 credit ABC VideoSource SMALL.jpg

Recent Reviews & Press

Featured

Article, Reviews

Trump to Cities: Drop Dead

Article, Reviews

NY TIMES: Fifty years ago this week, The Daily News published a headline that, in five words, helped turn the tide on a financial crisis that had held New York City in its grip for months. Landing with a thud on newsstands, it was an instant classic and remains one of the most famous headlines in history: “FORD TO CITY: DROP DEAD.”

Read more →

Reviews

‘Drop Dead City’ Review: A Gripping Look at How New York City Almost Went Bankrupt in 1975, Foreshadowing the Current Moment

Reviews

VARIETY: “Drop Dead City” falls into a category of documentary I think of as wonkish but gripping. Produced and directed by Peter Yost and Michael Rohatyn, the film is about the financial cataclysm that hit New York City in 1975, when the powers that be figured out that the city was $6 billion in debt.

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dropdeadcitythemovie@gmail.com
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