description Penitentiary (1979) Overview
Penitentiary is a 1979 American prison film written and directed by Jamaa Fanaka. Leon Isaac Kennedy plays Martel Gordone, a man sent to prison after being wrongly accused and who becomes involved in the institution's boxing program. The film uses prison violence, boxing, and exploitation-film conventions to present a story about survival, resistance, and the possibility of release through athletic success.
help Penitentiary (1979) FAQ
Who plays Martel Gordone in Penitentiary?
Leon Isaac Kennedy plays Martel Gordone. Jamaa Fanaka wrote and directed the 1979 American prison film.
What is Penitentiary about?
Martel Gordone is sent to prison after being wrongly accused and becomes involved in the institution's boxing program. The film combines prison violence, boxing, and exploitation-film drama.
Is Penitentiary a boxing movie or a prison movie?
It is both, but the prison setting drives the story and the boxing program becomes the main route through which Martel changes his position inside the institution. Its tone is harsher and more confrontational than a conventional sports drama.
When was Penitentiary released?
Penitentiary was released in 1979. It was written and directed by Jamaa Fanaka and starred Leon Isaac Kennedy as Martel Gordone.
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