Penitentiary

Starring:Kennedy, Delaney, Djola, Mitchell
Studio: Legacy Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

I can defiantly see why this is one of John Singleton's favorite films
Most Realistic Prison Movie Ever!
wrong dvd
Quite possibly one of the best
A low-budget classic!

Penitentiary (1979)
Starring: Thommy Pollard , Hazel Spears , Chuck Mitchell , Badja Djola , and Carl Irwin
Director: Jamaa Fanaka
Manufacturer: Xenon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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Prison | Cult Movies | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: 6305582726
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Amazon.com

The first of many in a series depicting the harrowing prison existence of a convict who uses his wits and fists to survive. Leon Isaac Kennedy's character is thrown deep into the bowels of the prison system, where the only consistent truth is kill or be killed. To show his strength and gain respect from the other inmates, Kennedy must distinguish himself as a boxer, taking on all comers to save his own skin and regain his pride as a human being. Surprisingly effective in its harsh detailing of violent prison life, the film addresses the dehumanization of prisoners without excusing their crimes. Thought of as an exploitation picture, Penitentiary rises above its roots to provide a blunt and passionate look at one man's struggle on the inside. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews:

I can defiantly see why this is one of John Singleton's favorite films.......2006-10-09

This film was really good. Writer and director Jamaa Fanaka was still a student at UCLA and Penitentiary was the first starring vehicle for former disc jockey and future evangelist Leon Isaac Kennedy. If you don't know the story it goes like this; Too Sweet (Leon Isaac Kennedy) is charged with murder, and convicted despite his innocence; he's shipped off to a run-down prison where Jesse Amos (Donovan Womack), one of the prisoners, lords it over the other inmates. Too Sweet ends up sharing a cell with Half Dead (Badja Djola), a violent lunatic who is one of Jesse's musclemen. Too Sweet refuses to buckle under to the intimidation dished out by Half Dead and his cronies, even after seeing how they've "turned out" Eugene (Thommy Pollard), another new fish who has become Jesse's sexual slave. Forced to defend himself even though he hates violence, Too Sweet displays a genuine talent for fighting, and is persuaded to take part in the prison boxing tournament, where he could win a night with a woman or even his freedom. However, Too Sweet sees the deck may be stacked against him when he finds out his opponent is the horrible Half Dead.

After watching this I found the fight between Too sweet and Half dead particularly interesting. Through out this film you will also find some of the characters to be animated with there jail house humor and realism through others such as Too Sweet's trainer. The cinematography wasn't bad also. The use of the wide angle lenses to give the viewer a distorted view was impressive and the way some characters address the camera was interesting and strange at the same time. Some people say that part two is even funnier and I might give it a try later in the future.

This exploitation is a masterpiece, PENITENTIARY (1979) is especially worth watching because of its strange, neo-realism. An almost all-unknown cast (that also contributes a lot to the movie's appeal), realistic 1970s African American dialog and backgrounds, realistic and mind-bending scenes of perverse violence and huge doses of humor make this a blast in every department. It's a must-see if you're a fan of this genre and one to check out.

Most Realistic Prison Movie Ever!.......2006-03-11

Penitentiary. Wow! This is not your average, run of the mill, candy-coated prison movies. Be sure to fasten your seatbelt before taking off on this journey. After seeing it for the first time, it shocked me because I wasn't ready. However, after that, I basically became hooked. I simply cannot get enough of Penitentiary. The fight seen between Half Dead Johnson and Too sweet is the best raw, street fight type of battle you will ever witness on screen. The "Crazy Man" game, when Too Sweet jumped on Big Jesse, the (heterosexual) orgies in the bathroom, the final bout . . . I could go on and on about this movie, but I'll end here by saying if you are a fan of prison movies, you simply can't go wrong with Penitentiary. Too Sweet is the Man!

wrong dvd.......2005-05-03

I ordered a dvd that I was wanting but instead they sent one that I had no interest in. I wish that I had the one that I had originally ordered!!!!!!!!!!

Quite possibly one of the best.......2001-11-14

The poetry and hidden beauty of Penitentiary are not simple yet astounding. Badja Djola's (Half-Dead) expressionism of the violence of prison life, and Lion Isaac Kenneday's portrayal of Too Sweet as the hero struggling against all to prevail make this movie this instant classic it is. The amazing fight scenes that depict the sole outlet for these oppression and violence of the unfortuate inmates brings to the fore the struggles of the nation itself in the 70s. Deep, thoughtful, and above all entertaining, one of the best!

A low-budget classic!.......2000-04-08

The quality of the movie is poor, but if you want a good movie, with black actors, get this classic.

Average customer rating:

Penitentiary 2
Starring: Malik Carter , Joe Anthony Cox , Badja Djola , Leif Erickson , and Ernie Hudson
Director: Jamaa Fanaka
Manufacturer: Xenon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Mr. T | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000CCBCM6
Release Date: 2006-01-24

Description

Featuring the first big screen appearance by Mister T, Penitentiary 2 is the sequel to Penitentiary. Paroled after serving time for a murder he didn't commit, prison boxing champ Martel "Too Sweet" Gordone hangs up his gloves, moves in with his sister's family and rekindles his romance with Clarisse. But he soon learns that life on the outside isn't much easier than it was in prison.

Average customer rating:

Penitentiary
Starring: Badja Djola , Chuck Mitchell , Thommy Pollard , Mykelti Williamson , and Jamaa Fanaka
Director: Jamaa Fanaka
Manufacturer: Xenon
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000CCBCLW
Release Date: 2006-01-24

Description

One of the most outrageous and notorious films of the Blaxploitation era from filmmaking phenom Jamaa Fanaka, this landmark prison boxing film Penitentiary was a hit with both audiences and critics. "One of the toughest prison films ever made. Makes Rocky look like patty -cake, patty-cake." - Boston Herald American on Penitentiary

Average customer rating:

Penitentiary Angel
Starring: Zhao Wei , La-La Chiu , Tsui-Wan Lee , Ling-Yan Ma , and Tung Yin Liu
Director: Jin Xie
Manufacturer: Tai Seng
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Shiri
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ASIN: B00006LPGI
Release Date: 2002-10-22

Average customer rating:

Penitentiary II
Starring: Malik Carter , Joe Anthony Cox , Badja Djola , Leif Erickson , and Ernie Hudson
Director: Jamaa Fanaka
Manufacturer: Legacy Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00077BOLU
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Average customer rating:

Hell Penitentiary
Starring: Ajita Wilson
Director: Sergio Garrone
Manufacturer: Tango Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000ERVKBW
Release Date: 2006-05-04

Average customer rating:

Hell yeah! a lot of Laugh
.........
BEST BOXING MOVIE EVER!
T is my unholy master!
Crazy Potato-Salad Scene!

Penitentiary 2
Starring: Leon Isaac Kennedy , Sephton Moody , Glynn Turman , Cepheus Jaxon , and Rudy Ray Moore
Director: Jamaa Fanaka
Manufacturer: Xenon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305582734
Release Date: 2002-02-05

Customer Reviews:

Hell yeah! a lot of Laugh.......2006-07-22

I like this movie a lot, it had boxing, crazy characters, a midget, and one of the very disgusting scene of all the times, a guy head sumerged in a toilet, previously used (with turd and all). Mr.t work here and he is hilarious as always.

................2005-09-19

worst movie in the history of american cinema!you need to be checked out if you actually think this was good.their doing nice things in mental institutions these days.

BEST BOXING MOVIE EVER!.......2003-07-13

Penitentiary 2 is the best of the Penitentiary flicks. It has the drama of Rocky, the comedy of an old Rudy Ray Moore flick, and the edge of an episode of OZ (HOOOOOOAAAAH). Speaking of OZ, this flick has Ernie Hudson in it. Oh and don't let me forget to mention that this movie has the ultimate action TV hero of the 80's MR. T! My favorite character in this movie is Mr. Seldom Seems. This guy's beard is as thick and round as the afro on his head and he's always telling people not to touch him. He's got a thing about people touching him, he's sort of like Rain Man except he doesn't scream when he's hugged he just starts throwing blows. If you want to watch a classic boxing movie, then P2 is it.......OOOH YEAH, there's a drag queen and a midget in this movie also

T is my unholy master!.......2000-10-30

Sometime around 1983 I was wrought with such viable emotional disturbances as dialapetes of the panchreas and triaceotomy of the plebes, the only way I could have overcome these ailments was to sell my soul to Mr. T. Who is, consequenTly, the jesus of our time. Mr. T was born of the virgin mary and will rise again in three days, to judge the living and the dead, his kingdom will have no end! Join T and all his followers to bask in the glory of his eTernal kingdom. He is eated at the right hand of the father and shall proclaim his worth to the masses through the profits. Hail T! Hail adrian! Hail satan!

Crazy Potato-Salad Scene!.......2000-02-09

This film is a cross between the "Rocky" films and Rudy Ray Moore flicks (Dolomite, The Avenging Disco Godfather... and HE does make a special appearance in this Fanaka classic). With loony character names like 'Too Sweet", 'Half-Dead' and 'Seldom Seen', this story-line is peppered with demented scenes like the scary "potato salad scene", or the dwarf-prostitute pursuit. A must see for all Mr. T fans.

Average customer rating:

Penitentiary
Starring: Badja Djola , Chuck Mitchell , Thommy Pollard , Mykelti Williamson , and Jamaa Fanaka
Director: Jamaa Fanaka
Manufacturer: Legacy Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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Release Date: 2005-03-01

Women in Cages [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg. 4 Import - Australia ]

Average customer rating:

Women in Cages [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg. 4 Import - Australia ]
Director: Gerardo de Leon
Manufacturer: AV Channel
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000E9UJY4

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 4 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages: English (Dolby Digital 2.0) Synopsis: In this prison melodrama set in a women's reformatory, a sadistic lesbian guard takes great pleasure in tormenting her inmates in the grim confines of "The Playpen." The film is called Women's Penitentiary III on video. Special Features: Cast/Crew Interview(s) Documentary Interactive Menu Photo Gallery

The Big Bird Cage (Women's Penitentiary II) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]

Average customer rating:

The Big Bird Cage (Women's Penitentiary II) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]
Director: Jack Hill
Manufacturer: Umbrella Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
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ASIN: B000KKOSHG

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), SYNOPSIS: In this exploitative women's prison drama, the "birds" in "the big bird cage" are, clearly, women. With the help of an outside revolutionary, the girls of at a rural prison stage an escape attempt. They have little to lose, as the prison is a site of incredible decadence and brutality. Only two of the covey of beautiful young women prisoners survive the attempt. SPECIAL FEATURES: Photo Gallery, Interactive Menu, Documentary, Commentary, Cast/Crew Interview(s),

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