Punishment Park (1971)

One of the most controversial films ever made.

Punishment Park (1971) poster

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.

Director: Peter Watkins
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 88 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Music: Paul Motian
Cinematography: Joan Churchill
Editing: Peter Watkins, Terry Hodel
Production: Churchill Films, Françoise Films, Chartwell
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Budget: $95,000
Original Language: en

Themes

Survival Ordeal in Desert Heat

Keywords

police brutality, hippie, dystopia, soldier, struggle for survival, desert, fake documentary, military, found footage, mock trial, mccarthyism, hostile, aggressive, political repression, survival competition

Trailer

Punishment Park Trailer

Similar Movies

More Films by Director: Peter Watkins
More Films in Genre: Drama, Thriller

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Punishment Park about?
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.
Who directed Punishment Park?
Punishment Park was directed by Peter Watkins.
Who stars in Punishment Park?
Punishment Park stars Patrick Boland, Carmen Argenziano, Kent Foreman, Luke Johnson, Katherine Quittner, Scott Turner.
How long is Punishment Park?
Punishment Park has a runtime of 1h 28m (88 minutes).
What genre is Punishment Park?
Punishment Park is a Drama, Thriller film.
What is the budget of Punishment Park?
Punishment Park had a budget of $95,000.
Where was Punishment Park produced?
Punishment Park was produced in United States of America.
What are the themes of Punishment Park?
The themes of Punishment Park include: Survival Ordeal in Desert Heat.