“You got to keep yourself in shape around here — this place is full of fools! If you don’t handle the fools, they handle you.”
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Penitentiary-198x300.png)
Synopsis:
When a hitchhiker (Leon Isaac Kennedy) gets involved with a prostitute (Hazel Spears) who inadvertently sends him to prison, he must deal with a sadistic cellie (Badja Djola). After joining a boxing league in an attempt to earn his release, he is re-assigned to live with an aging prisoner (Floyd Chatman) whose “live and let live” goal is simply to survive.
|
Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
- African Americans
- Boxing
- Prisoners
Review:
This blaxploitation film by director Jamaa Fanaka is notable as a representative flick within the genre, and for featuring a (relatively) realistic look inside mostly-black prisons of the 1970s. Kennedy’s situation of having no choice to survive other than through boxing echoes many other Hollywood films — most notably From Here to Eternity (1953) — but primarily serves as the excuse to feature seemingly countless bouts in the ring, fully sanctioned by an overweight white guard (Chuck Mitchell) who is mercifully decent towards his charges.
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Penitential-Mitchell.png)
Thankfully, Kennedy is a determined and strong enough protagonist to manage every hurdle coming his way. Also of note is Chatman as a lifetime prisoner:
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Penitentiary-Chatman.png)
who is clearly meant to serve as a powerful and viable contrast to Kennedy’s get-out-no-matter-what-it-takes attitude; his character rings very true.
Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
- Semi-realistic footage of life inside prison
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Penitentiary-Still.png)
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Penitentiary-Still2.png)
Must See?
No; you can skip this one unless you’re curious.
Links:
|
One thought on “Penitentiary (1979)”
First viewing. Not must-see.
A less-exaggerated entry in the blaxploitation series; an undistinguished ’70s prison drama, full of ‘fine’ stereotype roles for young black actors. (However, as mentioned, Kennedy is a “strong enough protagonist” and Chatman is “of note”.)
Plenty of boxing action, some semi-explicit sex, and it also has a seemingly accurate view on prison homosexuality.
At least it’s shot reasonably well.