The Panic in Needle Park (1971)

Director:

Jerry Schatzberg

Writers:

James Mills (book)
Joan Didion (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

1 June 1971 (France)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

In the dark corner of the city, they found light

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Heroin | New York City | City | Betrayal | Love

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Al Pacino	...	Bobby
Kitty Winn	...	Helen
Alan Vint	...	Hotch
Richard Bright	...	Hank
Kiel Martin	...	Chico
Michael McClanathan	...	Sonny
Warren Finnerty	...	Sammy
Marcia Jean Kurtz	...	Marcie
Raul Julia	...	Marco
Angie Ortega	...	Irene
Larry Marshall	...	Mickey
Paul Mace	...	Whitey
Nancy MacKay	...	Penny
Gil Rogers	...	Robins
Joe Santos	...	DiBono
Paul Sorvino	...	Samuels
Arnold Williams	...	Freddy
Vic Ramano	...	Santo (as Vic Romano)
Bryant Fraser	...	Prep School Boy
Dora Weissman	...	Pawnshop Lady
Sully Boyar	...	Doctor
Florence Tarlow	...	Ward Nurse
Rutanya Alda	...	Admitting Nurse (as Ruth Alda)
Anthony Palmer	...	Hotel Clerk
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Anthony Caso	...	Drug Addict (uncredited)
Jeffrey Walker	...	Prisoner #1 (uncredited)

Directed by
Jerry Schatzberg

Writing credits
James Mills		(book)
Joan Didion		(screenplay) and
John Gregory Dunne		(screenplay)

Produced by
Dominick Dunne	....	producer
Roger M. Rothstein	....	associate producer

Cinematography by
Adam Holender		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Evan A. Lottman		(as Evan Lottman)

Art Direction by
Murray P. Stern

Set Decoration by
Philip Smith

Costume Design by
Jo Ynocencio

Makeup Department
Herman Buchman	....	makeup artist
Phil Naso	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Roger M. Rothstein	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Robert Greenhut	....	first assistant director
Jim Inch	....	second assistant director (as James F. Inch)
Paul J. Crossey	....	dga trainee (uncredited)

Art Department
Joseph M. Caracciolo	....	property master (as Joe Caracciolo)
Edward Garzero	....	scenic artist

Sound Department
Dennis Maitland	....	sound mixer
Al Nahmias	....	sound editor
Dick Vorisek	....	sound re-recordist (as Richard Vorisek)
Katherine Wenning	....	sound editor

Camera and Electrical Department
Edward R. Brown	....	camera operator (as Edward Brown)
Adger W. Cowans	....	still photographer
Robert Dolan	....	gaffer
James Finnerty	....	key grip
Emmanuel Metaxas	....	assistant camera
Ron Zarilla	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
George Newman	....	wardrobe: men
Marilyn Putnam	....	wardrobe: women

Editorial Department
Martin Plachter	....	assistant editor

Transportation Department
Raymond Hartwick	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Nancy Hopton	....	script supervisor (as Nancy Tonery)
Shari Leibowitz	....	production secretary
Ruth A. Oberdorfer	....	secretary to producer
Sue Dwiggins	....	production secretary (uncredited)
Eileen Peterson	....	publicist (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Gadd Productions Corp.
• Didion-Dunne

Distributors

• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (1971) (USA) (theatrical)
• Fox Film (1972) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Abril Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Atlantic Film (2004) (Sweden) (DVD)
• CBS / Fox Video (1988) (Greece) (VHS)
• CBS/Fox (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• EuroVideo (2012) (Germany) (DVD)
• Media Cooperation One (MC-One) (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Video Beat (????) (USA) (DVD)
• Video Beat (????) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Marion Dougherty Associates  casting

Also Known As:

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:R | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1971) | Sweden:15 | USA:PG | USA:R (original rating) | Australia:MA (cable rating) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Italy:VM18 | UK:(Banned) (original rating) | UK:X (re-rating: 1974)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Gadd Productions Corp.

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.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Bobby kicks the young john out of the hotel after robbing him Helen is loosely using the towel to cover her breasts. In the next shot the towel is wrapped neatly around her.

Quotes:

Bobby:I want you to shape up!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Sodankylä ikuisesti: Valon draama (#1.4)" (2010)

A great portrayal of a relationship between two drug addicts.

This movie is not for people with sensitive nerves. Its harsh realism is very breathtaking, at times almost overwhelming. It concentrates in showing what drug addiction does to people in a relationship and succeeds in doing that. That's also the reason for its timelessness and artistic value.

Al Pacino and Kitty Winn, who plays the two main characters, Bobby and Helen, are very realistic in showing the ups and mostly the downs in the life of a drug addict. Especially the way they at times put their craving for drugs above each others needs.

The first time I saw the film I was 15. It was shown at my school and it made a very strong impression on me, especially its portrayal in the miserable life of a drug addict. I can therefore, among other things, recommend it as a preventive film for young people.