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Punishment Park

1971·Movie
1h 28min·R
IMDb7.7Rotten Tomatoes92%86%

Where to watch

FlixFlingMometuTubi TV

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Punishment Park fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, emotionally cool.

Energy

Tense and thrilling

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline7
  • Violence7

Heart

Melancholic

  • Melancholy7
  • Pathos6
  • Catharsis4

Humor

Some satire and dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody7
  • Dark Humor5
  • Absurdist Humor3

World

Society, history, and politics

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Novelty7

Craft

Standout direction and performances

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Intrigue8

Style

Standout editing

  • Editing8
  • Cinematography7
  • Visual Stylization7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

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.
Political SatireDystopianVietnam War EraPolice BrutalitySocial InjusticeExperimental FilmProvocativeCountercultureMockumentary

Crew

Directed by:
Peter Watkins, Linda Elbow
Written by:
Peter Watkins
Produced by:
Laura Golden, Laura Golden, Harlan Green
Composed by:
Doug Stevenson, Paul Motian, Michael C. Moore

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Punishment Park

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Punishment Park legally?

FlixFlingMometuTubi TV

Punishment Park is included with a subscription to FlixFling in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Mometu and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from FlixFling. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Punishment Park worth watching?

85
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 85/100 (IMDb 7.7 and Rotten Tomatoes 92%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Punishment Park rated?

RViolenceStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and strong language.

How long is Punishment Park?

1 h 28 min

Punishment Park runs 1 h 28 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Punishment Park?

Critics92
Audiences82

Not quite. Critics rate Punishment Park higher (92) than audiences (82). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Punishment Park in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Punishment Park?

11ATAUCADEESFRGBINMXPTUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Punishment Park in 11 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Punishment Park use?

The Bad Guys Are CopsBrains Evil, Brawn GoodThe Cake Is a LieDefiant to the EndEmergency AuthorityGreater-Scope VillainGood Lawyers, Good ClientsSmart People Speak the Queen's EnglishOppressive States of AmericaMorton's ForkMeta CastingKangaroo Court

TV Tropes lists 12 storytelling tropes for Punishment Park, including The Bad Guys Are Cops, Brains Evil, Brawn Good, The Cake Is a Lie.