Film

Punishment Park 1971

Directed by Peter Watkins

  • Drama, Thriller
  • 88 min
  • R

One of the most controversial films ever made.

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.

DramaThrillerpolice brutalityhippiedystopiasoldierstruggle for survivaldesertfake documentarymilitaryfound footagemock trialmccarthyismhostile

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  • Bleak ending

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