This 1971 film by Peter Watkins is kinda the original Battle Royale, kinda.
Plot: The Vietnam war rages and Prez Nixon's prisons are at breaking point. "Anti-government" or students are arrested and given two choices; serve your sentence in prison or face Punishment Park, 53 miles of desert, no food, no water and armed police giving chase.
The story is shot in documentary style and includes interviews with officials and prisoners.
Budget: $66,000
It's a creatively shot story that makes use of a small cast and smaller film crew to create a vision of desperation and political dissent. Very much worth a watch. The big screen is perfect for the expanse of the desert.
Fun Fact: Given the tensions around Vietnam at the time of the films release, British director Watkins came under attack from the film industry and viewers alike. The film was even said to hold communist sentiment and as such was not distributed.
Plot: The Vietnam war rages and Prez Nixon's prisons are at breaking point. "Anti-government" or students are arrested and given two choices; serve your sentence in prison or face Punishment Park, 53 miles of desert, no food, no water and armed police giving chase.
The story is shot in documentary style and includes interviews with officials and prisoners.
Budget: $66,000
It's a creatively shot story that makes use of a small cast and smaller film crew to create a vision of desperation and political dissent. Very much worth a watch. The big screen is perfect for the expanse of the desert.
Fun Fact: Given the tensions around Vietnam at the time of the films release, British director Watkins came under attack from the film industry and viewers alike. The film was even said to hold communist sentiment and as such was not distributed.
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