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The Panic in Needle Park (1971)

R  |   |  Drama  |  1 June 1971 (France)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 10,669 users  
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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 ... See full summary »

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(book), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: The Panic in Needle Park (1971)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Helen
Alan Vint ...
Hotch
Richard Bright ...
Hank
...
Chico
Michael McClanathan ...
Sonny
Warren Finnerty ...
Sammy
...
Marcie
...
Marco
Angie Ortega ...
Irene
...
Mickey
Paul Mace ...
Whitey
Nancy MacKay ...
Penny
Gil Rogers ...
Robins
...
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

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

1 June 1971 (France)  »

Also Known As:

Panique à Needle Park  »

Filming Locations:


Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

When the screenplay for the film was submitted to the MPAA for a ratings evaluation, the board declared that it would receive an X rating for the language alone. The final film was rated R. See more »

Goofs

(at around 15 mins) 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

Marco: You've been through some changes since I saw you. Now you wanna wipe all that out. You could, if you wanted to.
See more »

Connections

Featured in Biography: Al Pacino: Inside Out (2001) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Great movie. Thank you
20 January 2003 | by (Pinerolo, Italy) – See all my reviews

I think this movie as one of the most beautiful films of ever. I think that for more than one reason : for the first thing Al Pacino is my favourite actor, and in this movie he's simply at his best, he's cool and fast, reactive and thirty years in the future on the look. The co-protagonist, Helen, is wonderful and her look expressions fill the empty minutes of silence, you'll be attracted in a deep, magical and intimal atmosphere of love between her and Bobby. The story is simple as nice, true and there are no spectacular surprises, effects or a prevedible ending...just them, just looks, feelings, dynamics. The italian version is wonderful, my thanks to Ferruccio Amendola (Bobby's voice), he'll live with us forever. Thank you Al, thank you Helen, thank you.


12 of 20 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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