Penitentiary (1979): Cast & Plot
Penitentiary is a 1979 crime drama directed by Jamaa Fanaka, starring Leon Isaac Kennedy as Martel 'Too Sweet' Gordone, Hazel Spears and Badja Djola. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 39m (99 min)
- Director
- Jamaa Fanaka
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Penitentiary About?
The premise of Penitentiary without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After a brawl with two bikers over a prostitute leaves one dead, hitchhiker Martel Gordone is convicted and sent to a grim penitentiary. Determined to earn an early parole, he joins the prison’s brutal boxing squad, using the sport to rise through the ranks and challenge the toughest gang that rules the yard.
Penitentiary Themes & Keywords
· 11 tags- reference to pubic hair
- prison
- boxing
- false accusation
- convict
- drifter
- blaxploitation
- homosexuality
- sex in a prison
- corruption
- independent film
Penitentiary Cast & Characters
Leon Isaac Kennedy leads the cast as Martel 'Too Sweet' Gordone, with Hazel Spears as Linda (as Hazel Spear) and Badja Djola as 'Half Dead' Johnson. Directed by Jamaa Fanaka; 15 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jamaa Fanaka
- Leon Isaac Kennedy as Martel 'Too Sweet' Gordone
- Hazel Spears as Linda (as Hazel Spear)
- Badja Djola as 'Half Dead' Johnson
- Wilbur 'Hi-Fi' White as Sweet Pea
Also Starring in Penitentiary
· 11 more- Chuck Mitchell Lieutenant Arnsworth
- Donovan Womack Jesse Amos
- Gloria Delaney Peaches
- Cepheus Jaxon Poindexter
- Ernest Wilson Cheese
- Floyd 'Wildcat' Chatman Hezzikia 'Seldom Seen' Jackson (as Floyd Chatman)
- Thommy Pollard Eugene T. Lawson
- Dwaine Fobbs Lying Latney Winborn
- Will Richardson Magilla Gorilla
- Tony Andrea Mook
- Elijah Mitchell Nut #1
More from Jamaa Fanaka
More films directed by Jamaa Fanaka: Street Wars, Penitentiary III, Penitentiary II and Emma Mae.
Penitentiary Plot Summary
What happens in Penitentiary from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Martel Gordone, Leon Isaac Kennedy, had been wandering aimlessly through the desert when he is picked up by an African-American woman driving a van dubbed the Shaggin’ Wagon. The woman, Linda, Hazel Spears, who picks him up, is actually a prostitute on her way to some clients. On the way to the diner where the two parties are to meet, Linda and Gordone spark an interest in each other, but Linda decides to wait until after she has finished with her clients. > You know, honey, it’s got to be business before pleasure, and I’m sure you’re a real pleasure.
Full summary
The whole story of Penitentiary, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Penitentiary?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the main character Martel Gordone?
Cars in Penitentiary
4 cars on screen, including the 1974 Dodge Tradesman and the unknown.
-
1974 Dodge Tradesman Important role -
unknown Minor role -
Yamaha IT 175 Minor role -
1967 Chevrolet Biscayne Background role
Penitentiary Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Penitenciaría” and “Затвор”.
- Also known as
-
- Penitenciaría
- Затвор
- Penitentiary - Hölle hinter Gittern
- Zakład karny
- 黑狱拳王
Seen Penitentiary?
Movies Like Penitentiary
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Penitentiary III, Penitentiary II and Let's Go to Prison.
Penitentiary FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Penitentiary, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Penitentiary?
Penitentiary runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).
When was Penitentiary released?
Penitentiary was released on December 1, 1979.
Who directed Penitentiary?
Penitentiary was directed by Jamaa Fanaka.
More films by Jamaa Fanaka Who is in the cast of Penitentiary?
Penitentiary stars Leon Isaac Kennedy as Martel 'Too Sweet' Gordone, Hazel Spears as Linda (as Hazel Spear) and Badja Djola as 'Half Dead' Johnson, among 15 credited actors.
Does Penitentiary have a post-credit scene?
No. Penitentiary has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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