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.
Punishment Park
“One of the most controversial films ever made.”
Overview
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
Budget
95.0K
Status
Released
Production
Churchill Films, Françoise Films, Chartwell
Cast
Patrick Boland
Tribunal Defendant
Carmen Argenziano
Jay Kaufman (Tribunal Defendant)
Kent Foreman
Lee Robert Brown (Tribunal Defendant)
Luke Johnson
William Luke Valerio (Tribunal Defendant)
Katherine Quittner
Nancy Jane Smith (Tribunal Defendant)
Scott Turner
James Arthur Kohler (Tribunal Defendant)
Stan Armsted
Charles Robbins (Tribunal Defendant)
Mary Ellen Kleinhall
Allison Mitchner (Tribunal Defendant)
Mark Keats
William C. Hoeger (Tribunal Chairman)
Gladys Golden
Mary Jurgens (Tribunal Member)
Sanford Golden
Senator Harris (Tribunal Member)
George Gregory
Mr. Keagan (Tribunal Member)
Norman Sinclair
Tribunal Member
Sigmund Rich
Prof. Hazlett
Paul Rosenstein
Tribunal Member
Lee Marks
Federal Agent
Sandy Cox
Stenographer
Frederic Franklyn
Defense Attorney
Ross Briegleb
Tribunal Doctor
Joe Hudgins
Chief Tribunal Marshall
Rodger Greene
Tribunal Marshall
Tom Kemp
Tribunal Marshall
Harry McKasson
Tribunal Marshall
Harold Beaulieu
Defendant in the Desert (Militant)
Cynthia Jenkins
Defendant in the Desert (Militant)
Jack London
Defendant in the Desert (Militant)
Rob Lewine
Defendant in the Desert (Militant)
Viola Gonzalez
Defendant in the Desert (Semi-Militant)
Roland Gonzalez
Defendant in the Desert (Semi-Militant)
Jack Gozdzik
Defendant in the Desert (Semi-Militant)
Brian Hart
Defendant in the Desert (Semi-Militant)
Linda Mandel
Defendant in the Desert (Semi-Militant)
Don Pino
Defendant in the Desert (Semi-Militant)
Jason Sommers
Defendant in the Desert (Semi-Militant)
Conchita Thornton-Marusich
Defendant in the Desert (Semi-Militant)
Gary Johnson
Defendant in the Desert (Pacifist)
Michelle Johnson
Defendant in the Desert (Pacifist)
Ted Martin
Defendant in the Desert (Pacifist)
Don McDonald
Defendant in the Desert (Pacifist)
Harold Schneider
Defendant in the Desert (Pacifist)
Jim Bohan
Officer Edwards (as Jim Bowan)
Val Daniel
Sheriff's Dept.
Harlan Green
Sheriff's Dept.
Dennis Wilson
Sheriff's Dept.
Paul Alelyunes
City Police
Kerry Cannon
City Police
Bob Franklin
City Police
Bruce McGuire
City Police
Ron Pennington
City Police
Allen Powell
City Police
Jim Wettstein
City Police
Jim Churchill
National Guard
Danny Conlon
National Guard
Wally McKay
National Guard
Cliff Pinard
National Guard
Don Vann
National Guard
Charlie Wyatt
National Guard
Peter Watkins
Documentarist (uncredited)
Video Gallery
Punishment park (1971) trailer
