Punishment Park
Seen it?1971 | 88 min | Drama, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Children of Men or First Blood, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 28 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence.
- Made in 1971: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In this fictional documentary, U.S. prisons are at capacity, and President Nixon declares a state of emergency. All new prisoners, most of whom are connected to the antiwar movement, are now given the choice of jail time or spending three days in Punishment Park, where they will be hunted for sport by federal authorities. The prisoners invariably choose the latter option, but learn that, between the desert heat and the brutal police officers, their chances of survival are slim.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
92% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 72K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Peter Watkins
- Patrick BolandTribunal Defendant
- Carmen ArgenzianoJay Kaufman (Tribunal Defendant)
- Kent ForemanLee Robert Brown (Tribunal Defendant)
- Luke JohnsonWilliam Luke Valerio (Tribunal Defendant)
- Katherine QuittnerNancy Jane Smith (Tribunal Defendant)
- Scott TurnerJames Arthur Kohler (Tribunal Defendant)
- Stan ArmstedCharles Robbins (Tribunal Defendant)
- Mary Ellen KleinhallAllison Mitchner (Tribunal Defendant)
- Mark KeatsWilliam C. Hoeger (Tribunal Chairman)
- Gladys GoldenMary Jurgens (Tribunal Member)