The Panic in Needle Park (1971)

7.1PG109 minDirector: Jerry Schatzberg

1971 American film by Jerry Schatzberg

The Panic in Needle Park is a 1971 American drama film directed by Jerry Schatzberg and starring Al Pacino (in his first lead role) and Kitty Winn. The screenplay is written by Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, adapted from the 1966 novel by James Mills.

The film portrays life among a group of heroin addicts who hang out in "Needle Park" (a nickname at that time for the Verdi Square–Sherman Square area of Manhattan's Upper West Side). The film is a love story between Bobby (Pacino), a young addict and small-time hustler, and Helen (Kitty Winn), a restless woman who thinks Bobby is charismatic. She becomes an addict, and life goes downhill for them as their addictions worsen, eventually leading to a series of betrayals.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is The Panic in Needle Park about?
The Panic in Needle Park (1971) — This movie is a stark portrayal of life among a group of heroin addicts who hang out in "Needle Park" in New York City. Played against this setting is a low-key love story between Bobby, a young addict and small-time hustler, and Helen, a homeless girl who finds in her relationsh
Is The Panic in Needle Park based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is The Panic in Needle Park scary?
Content rating: PG. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.
What is The Panic in Needle Park (1971) about? Plot, synopsis and ending explained — Screencodex