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The Panic in Needle Park (1971)

PG 110 min  -  Crime | Drama | Romance  -   1 June 1971 (France)
7.0
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Ratings: 7.0/10 from 6,176 users  
Reviews: 51 user | 45 critic

This movie is a stark portrayal of life among a group of heroin addicts who hang out in "Needle Park" in New York City... See full summary »

Director:

Jerry Schatzberg

Writers:

James Mills (book), Joan Didion (screenplay), and 1 more credit »
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1 win & 1 nomination See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino ...
Bobby
Kitty Winn Kitty Winn ...
Helen
Alan Vint Alan Vint ...
Hotch
Richard Bright Richard Bright ...
Hank
Kiel Martin Kiel Martin ...
Chico
Michael McClanathan Michael McClanathan ...
Sonny
Warren Finnerty Warren Finnerty ...
Sammy
Marcia Jean Kurtz ...
Marcie
Raul Julia ...
Marco
Angie Ortega Angie Ortega ...
Irene
Larry Marshall ...
Mickey
Paul Mace Paul Mace ...
Whitey
Nancy MacKay Nancy MacKay ...
Penny
Gil Rogers Gil Rogers ...
Robins
Joe Santos Joe Santos ...
DiBono
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Storyline

This movie is a stark portrayal of life among a group of heroin addicts who hang out in "Needle Park" in New York City. Played against this setting is a low-key love story between Bobby, a young addict and small-time hustler, and Helen, a homeless girl who finds in her relationship with Bobby the stability she craves. She becomes addicted too, and life goes downhill for them both as their addiction deepens, eventually leading to a series of betrayals. But, in spite of it all, the relationship between Bobby and Helen endures. Written by E. Schofield <evescho@cafe.net>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

New York City | Addiction | City | Heroin Addict | Heroin  | See more »

Taglines:

In the dark corner of the city, they found light See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(France) See more »

Also Known As:

Pánico en Needle Park See more »

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

HKD 4,643 (Hong Kong) (1971)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Jerry Schatzberg turned down the script when he was offered it by the production company. He was then re-approached when Al Pacino took an interest in the project. He agreed then to direct on the condition that Pacino could star, however ironically it then became difficult to find a studio that would back the project with a newcomer like Pacino. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: [At 36:15] When Bobby asks Helen to do him a favor, his hand changes position between being under his hair on his forehead and being on top of his hair. See more »

Quotes

[last lines]
Bobby: Well?
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Planting the Seeds of Evil (2006) See more »