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| The Panic in Needle Park | 
 enlarge | Director: Jerry Schatzberg
Actors: Al Pacino, Kitty Winn, Alan Vint, Richard Bright, Kiel Martin
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $7.32
You Save: $7.66 (51%)
New (43) Used (15) from $6.77
Avg. Customer Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 10401
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 109
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: FOXD2227711D
UPC: 024543114888
EAN: 0024543114888
ASIN: B000A9QK6E
Theatrical Release Date: 1971
Release Date: June 19, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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Product Description
Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 06/19/2007
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 Honesty rarely hurts this much... September 19, 2008
There are few films that are truly able to capture what it feels like to be addicted. Probably the film that comes the closest and is the most compelling (albeit most disturbing) is `Requiem for a Dream'; at least in my humble opinion. The little known gem that is `The Panic in Needle Park' comes very close though, for like `Requiem for a Dream', `The Panic in Needle Park' strips everything bare and delivers a very harsh reality to the viewer, exploring the depths that some will stoop to just to find their next fix.
`The Panic in Needle Park' tells the story of Bobby, a young heroine addict who falls in love with Helen, a sweet and innocent young girl who is taken up by Booby's apparent bad boy persona. He is new and interesting and unlike anyone she's ever really known before. Sure, she's been around drugs but she's never really been exposed at such an alarming rate until she met Bobby. Soon she becomes are addicted as he is, getting in and out of trouble with the cops as she peddles for Bobby, buys for Bobby and scores with Bobby. Bobby's brother Hank isn't much help, for while he isn't as addicted as Bobby, his criminal activities leave him just as bad an influence. As the film spirals towards its conclusion the lives of these two lovers become more and more disjointed and frantic and the panic sets in and the addiction takes over.
The film is grim (no where near as grim as `Requiem for a Dream' so don't worry too much) and it's gritty delivery makes each and every scene seem as if it is really taking place (the lack of any musical soundtrack helps add a layer of reality to the film). The performances really elevate the film as well, drawing the audience into the mental states of these star-crossed and ill-fated individuals. Kitty Winn is marvelous as Helen, a truly devastating depiction of lost dreams and manipulated trust. As she deteriorates due to Bobby's influence we watch her addictions take over her thinking and propel her in directions she never thought imaginable. When she talks to Bobby at the prison, her face contorting to that of pain and misery you can see every fiber in her slowly fraying at the edges. Al Pacino is also flawless as Bobby. This is the performance that got him the coveted role in `The Godfather' saga; Coppola falling in love with Pacino's acting ability here. He seeps effortlessly into the mind of an addict, conveying the hunger so readily and convincingly. He is outstandingly sympathetic at one extreme and then harrowingly vile on the other. He balances this very well in order to gain out acceptance and loyalty, much like Bobby gained that of Helen.
In the end I must say that I am in awe of this film. Like I mentioned, there are few films that can capture the heart of addiction with such fiery honesty, even though many films today try. `The Panic in Needle Park' has such a rare truthfulness in its story and it rings forth with such power that one cannot help but become absorbed in its tale. It is a hard film to watch because its misery is so real, but it is an important film to see for it sheds some light on the disease that takes so many victims today.
Is Al Pacino ever anything but inspiring? April 7, 2008
A truly well acted movie and a very accurate portrait of life as a heroin addict.
Still one of the Best November 8, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I hadn't seen this flick since it's original release. I've been waiting a looonnng time for it to come out on DVD. In my opinion it is STILL the most realistic, gritty, depressing, and believeable portrayal of the lifestyle of heroin junkies ever put on film. I worked in law enforcement and had an up-front and personal view of the kinds of people this movie was about. The only truer depiction would have to be an on the scene filmed documentary. They rarely make movies as good as this one these days.
Heroin September 27, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I had never seen this movie till today. Boy what a gem! This movie is definitely a downer on a very serious subject but you really get into the people and the romance between Pacino and Kitty Witt. It starts out with him charming this very young and naive girl. Pacino is a fast talking, fast walking petty theif who lives from fix to fix trying to scavenge enough money to shoot up. It starts out with her being very naive but falling for him and accepting his 'habit'. "I'm just chipping," he tells her meaning that he isn't a full blown addict but just experimenting. But then she falls into his lifestyle. At first it is admirable because she is experiencing all the sights and sounds of New York and Pacino seems to know everybody. But then she descends into the abyss with Pacino.
Great movie.
 Panic in Needle Park September 18, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
So sad the beginning was the end and the end was the beginning in this movie,and so real. Still loved the very young Al Pacino.
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