The Panic in Needle Park
Encyclopedia
The Panic in Needle Park is a 1971
American
film directed by Jerry Schatzberg
and starring Al Pacino
in his second film appearance. The screenplay was written by Joan Didion
and John Gregory Dunne
, adapted from the book by James Mills.
The film portrays life among a group of heroin addicts who hang out in "Needle Park" (the nicknames of Verdi Square
and Sherman Square
on New York City
's Upper West Side
near 72nd Street
and Broadway
). The film is a love story between Bobby (Pacino), a young addict and small-time hustler, and Helen (Kitty Winn
), a restless woman who finds Bobby charismatic. She becomes an addict, and life goes downhill for them both as their addictions worsen, eventually leading to a series of betrayals.
To set the atmosphere, no music was used in the film, much of which features cinema verite
-style footage. It is believed to be the first mainstream film to feature actual drug injection.
Didion and Dunne visited Jim Morrison
, lead singer of The Doors
, during the recording of the album Waiting For The Sun
as he was considered for the role of Bobby, but went with Pacino instead.
Award at the 1971 Cannes Film Festival
. The film and its director, Jerry Schatzberg, were also nominated for the Palme d'Or
.
1971 in film
The year 1971 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 8 - Bob Dylan's hour long documentary film, Eat the Document, premieres at New York's Academy of Music...
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film directed by Jerry Schatzberg
Jerry Schatzberg
Jerry Schatzberg is a photographer and film director.-Career:Schatzberg was born to a Jewish family of furriers and grew up in the Bronx. He photographed for magazines such as Vogue, Esquire and McCalls. He made his debut as a feature film director with 1970's Puzzle of a Downfall Child starring...
and starring Al Pacino
Al Pacino
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
in his second film appearance. The screenplay was written by Joan Didion
Joan Didion
Joan Didion is an American author best known for her novels and her literary journalism. Her novels and essays explore the disintegration of American morals and cultural chaos, where the overriding theme is individual and social fragmentation...
and John Gregory Dunne
John Gregory Dunne
John Gregory Dunne was an American novelist, screenwriter and literary critic.-Life:He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and was a younger brother of author Dominick Dunne. He suffered from a severe stutter and took up writing to express himself. Eventually he learned to speak normally by...
, adapted from the book by James Mills.
The film portrays life among a group of heroin addicts who hang out in "Needle Park" (the nicknames of Verdi Square
Verdi Square
Verdi Square is a small triangle of land enclosed by a railing, located on Manhattan's Upper West Side, between 72nd Street and 73rd Street on the south and north, and Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue on the west and east. On the south the square fronts West 72nd Street; across the street to the...
and Sherman Square
Sherman Square
Sherman Square is a diminutive public space bounded by Broadway, Amsterdam Avenue and West 70th Street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, in New York City...
on New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Upper West Side
Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan, New York City, that lies between Central Park and the Hudson River and between West 59th Street and West 125th Street...
near 72nd Street
72nd Street (Manhattan)
72nd Street is one of the major bi-directional crosstown streets in the New York City borough of Manhattan. Where the west end of 72nd Street curves into the south end of Riverside Drive, the memorial to Eleanor Roosevelt stands in Riverside Park. At this end of the street is the landmarked...
and Broadway
Broadway (New York City)
Broadway is a prominent avenue in New York City, United States, which runs through the full length of the borough of Manhattan and continues northward through the Bronx borough before terminating in Westchester County, New York. It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in the city, dating to...
). The film is a love story between Bobby (Pacino), a young addict and small-time hustler, and Helen (Kitty Winn
Kitty Winn
Kitty Winn is an award-winning American actress.- Early life and career :Winn was born in Washington, D.C. She spent much of her childhood time traveling to China, India and Japan....
), a restless woman who finds Bobby charismatic. She becomes an addict, and life goes downhill for them both as their addictions worsen, eventually leading to a series of betrayals.
To set the atmosphere, no music was used in the film, much of which features cinema verite
Cinéma vérité
Cinéma vérité is a style of documentary filmmaking, combining naturalistic techniques with stylized cinematic devices of editing and camerawork, staged set-ups, and the use of the camera to provoke subjects. It is also known for taking a provocative stance toward its topics.There are subtle yet...
-style footage. It is believed to be the first mainstream film to feature actual drug injection.
Didion and Dunne visited Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison
James Douglas "Jim" Morrison was an American musician, singer, and poet, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band The Doors...
, lead singer of The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
, during the recording of the album Waiting For The Sun
Waiting for the Sun
Waiting for the Sun is the third studio album by the American rock band The Doors. It was released in 1968 and became the band's first and only number one album and spawned their second US number one single, "Hello, I Love You". It also became the band's first hit album in the UK, where it peaked...
as he was considered for the role of Bobby, but went with Pacino instead.
Awards
For her portrayal of Helen, Winn won the Best ActressBest Actress Award (Cannes Film Festival)
The Best Actress Award is an award presented at the Cannes Film Festival. It is chosen by the jury from the 'official section' of films at the festival. It was first awarded in 1946.-Award Winners:-External links:* * ....
Award at the 1971 Cannes Film Festival
1971 Cannes Film Festival
- Jury :*Michèle Morgan *Pierre Billard *Michael Birkett *Anselmo Duarte *István Gaál *Sergio Leone *Aleksandar Petrović *Maurice Rheims *Erich Segal...
. The film and its director, Jerry Schatzberg, were also nominated for the Palme d'Or
Palme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
.
Cast
- Al PacinoAl PacinoAlfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
as Bobby - Kitty WinnKitty WinnKitty Winn is an award-winning American actress.- Early life and career :Winn was born in Washington, D.C. She spent much of her childhood time traveling to China, India and Japan....
as Helen Reeves - Alan VintAlan VintAlan Richard Vint was an American character actor.-Biography:Vint was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He appeared in a number of supporting roles during the 1970s in films such as The Panic in Needle Park Badlands , Macon County Line , and Earthquake. He also made guest appearances on such television...
as Narcotics Detective Hotch - Richard BrightRichard BrightRichard Bright may refer to:*Richard Bright , English physician and early pioneer in the research of kidney disease*Richard Bright , English Member of Parliament, 1868–1878...
as Hank - Kiel MartinKiel MartinKiel Urban Mueller , professionally known as Kiel Martin, was an American actor best known for his role as lovable rogue Detective John "J.D." La Rue on the 1980s television drama Hill Street Blues.Martin was married twice, first to Claudia Martin , who was actor/crooner Dean...
as Chico - Michael McClanathan as Sonny
- Warren FinnertyWarren FinnertyWarren Finnerty was an American actor best known for his Obie award-winning performance in The Connection . After making his film debut in Murder, Inc. , he made a few television appearances before starring in the film adaption of The Connection , reprising his role from the stage production...
as Sammy - Marcia Jean Kurtz as Marcie
- Raúl JuliáRaúl JuliáRaúl Rafael Juliá y Arcelay was a Puerto Rican actor.Born in San Juan, he gained interest in acting while still in school. Upon completing his studies, Juliá decided to pursue a career in acting. After performing in the local scene for some time, he was convinced by entertainment personality Orson...
as Marco - Angie Ortega as Irene
- Larry Marshall as Mickey
- Paul MacePaul MacePaul Mace was an American actor. His first acting role was in 1964 on the television series The Nurses, playing David Kaplan in the episode "The Seeing Heart". He starred in a number of other show such as CHiPs and The Rockford Files...
as Whitey - Nancy MacKay as Penny
- Gil Rogers as Robins
- Joe SantosJoe SantosJoe Santos is an American film and television actor.-Biography:Santos was born Joseph Minieri in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Rose and Joseph Minieri. He began his film acting career in the mid-1960s, appearing in films directed by his cousin, Joseph W...
as Detective DiBono - Paul SorvinoPaul SorvinoPaul Anthony Sorvino is an American actor. He often portrays authority figures on both sides of the law, and is possibly best known for his roles as Paulie Cicero, a portrayal of Paul Vario in the film Goodfellas and Sgt. Phil Cerreta on the police procedural and legal drama television series Law...
as Samuels
See also
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- Requiem for a Dream
- Drugstore CowboyDrugstore CowboyDrugstore Cowboy is a 1989 crime drama directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Van Sant and Daniel Yost, based on a novel by James Fogle. Matt Dillon stars in the title role, and Kelly Lynch, Heather Graham, and William S. Burroughs are also featured. Drugstore Cowboy was filmed mainly around...
- Christiane F. – We Children from Bahnhof Zoo
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- Sid and NancySid and NancySid and Nancy is a 1986 British biopic directed by Alex Cox. The film portrays the life of Sid Vicious , bassist of the seminal punk rock band the Sex Pistols, and his relationship with girlfriend Nancy Spungen .-Plot:The film opens with several police officers dragging Sid Vicious out of the Hotel...
- CandyCandy (2006 film)Candy is a 2006 Australian romantic drama film, adapted from Luke Davies's novel Candy: A Novel of Love and Addiction. Candy was directed by debut film-maker Neil Armfield and stars Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish and Geoffrey Rush....