Where to Watch Punishment Park (1971) in Australia

What it's about

"Punishment Park" is a pseudo-documentary purporting to be a film crews's news coverage of the team of soldiers escorting a group of hippies, draft dodgers, and anti-establishment types across the desert in a type of capture the flag game. The soldiers vow not to interfere with the rebels' progress and merely shepherd them along to their destination. At that point, having obtained their goal, they will be released. The film crew's coverage is meant to insure that the military's intentions are honorable. As the representatives of the 60's counter-culture get nearer to passing this arbitrary test, the soldiers become increasingly hostile, attempting to force the hippies out of their pacifist behavior. A lot of this film appears improvised and in several scenes real tempers seem to flare as some of the "acting" got overaggressive. This is a interesting exercise in situational ethics. The cinéma vérité style, hand-held camera, and ambiguous demands of the director - would the actors be able to maintain their roles given the hazing they were taking - pushed some to the brink. The cast's emotions are clearly on the surface. Unfortunately this film has gone completely underground and is next to impossible to find. It would offer a captivating document of the distrust that existed between soldiers willfully serving in the military and those persons who opposed the war peacefully.

Cast and crew

Director

Peter Watkins

Writer

Peter Watkins

Starring

Patrick Boland, Kent Foreman, Carmen Argenziano

Details

Release date

Feb 10, 1972

Language

English

Country

United States

Awards

1 win total

Where to Watch Punishment Park (1971) in Australia — common questions

Where to watch Punishment Park in Australia?

We have not confirmed a streaming, rental, or purchase option for Punishment Park in Australia.

Can I stream Punishment Park or do I have to rent it in Australia?

We have not confirmed a subscription, rental, or purchase option for Punishment Park in Australia.

Can I watch Punishment Park for free in Australia?

We have not confirmed a free option for Punishment Park in Australia.