

Punishment Park
1971 · Movie · 1h 28m · R
DramaThriller
"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.
Ratings
IMDb
7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
Key crew
- Peter WatkinsDirector
- Peter WatkinsScreenplay
Cast
- 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)
- Sanford GoldenSenator Harris (Tribunal Member)
- George GregoryMr. Keagan (Tribunal Member)
Stills
Movies like Punishment Park
Themes
police brutalityhippiedystopiasoldierstruggle for survivaldesertfake documentarymilitaryfound footagemock trialmccarthyismhostile











