Has anybody seen the 1971 film "Punishment Park"?

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

Indulging myself in some cold-war paranoia I thought I'd pick up a copy of "The War Game" - a 1965 post-nuke drama-documentary initially banned by the BBC (who produced it). Whilst doing so I thought I'd see what else the director - Peter Watkins - had made and that's when I stumbled upon 'Punishment Park'.



"In this story, told in documentary style, the U.S. has expanded its military involvement in Asia, and war protestors are seen as threats to the government. Protestors are given sentences ranging from a few years, to life in prison. Perhaps because of prison overcrowding, or perhaps for other reasons, protestors are given a choice in their sentencing. They can participate in a deadly three-day endurance contest in the deserts of Southern California, or they can accept their incredibly long sentences. If they survive the desert contest, they can go free. However, pursued by National Guardsmen who are prepared to shoot them on sight, they must travel long distances to a designated point without food or water."
~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide




Upon its U.S. premiere, Punishment Park was greeted by The New York Times as “wrong-headed” and “paranoid,” and Watkins as a “masochist.” Other publications labeled it “offensive,” “hysterical,” and “part of the problem.” Released in a Murray Hill cinema in Manhattan, the film was withdrawn from its release after only four days (possibly for fear of drawing fire from local or federal authorities). And so, Punishment Park, widely maligned and discredited, has remained all but unseen in the United States for the last thirty-five years.
http://www.notcoming.com/reviews.php?id=448



For much more see the UK website at:
http://www.punishmentpark.co.uk

including a lengthy Q&A by the director Peter Watkins.
http://www.punishmentpark.co.uk/directors_notes.php

If you haven't seen it then the good news is that a DVD is coming soon. For us Brits it's released on Eureka's "Masters of Cinema" label on October 3rd and for the rest of you it will be available thanks to New Yorker Video on November 22nd.

[CottonBear]

1. That is creepy. I've never heard of that film. It looks like a must see.

:scared:

[FreedomAngel82]

4. Me either

And dealing with the reality we know today.....

[pnorman]

2. available at Amazon next month.

Availability: This item will be released on November 22, 2005. You may order it now and we will ship it to you when it arrives.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007UQ2BY/qid=1126887188/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl74/102-1074955-1398546?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846

pnorman

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

3. (kick) --- Anyone seen this?