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 relationship with Bobby the stability she craves. She becomes addicted too, and life goes downhill for them both as their addiction deepens, eventually leading to a series of betrayals. But, in spite of it all, the relationship between Bobby and Helen endures.

The Panic in Needle Park (1971)
  • Rating: (5,957 votes)
  • Taglines:In the dark corner of the city, they found light » God help Bobby and Helen. They're in love in Needle Park. »
  • Runtime:110 minutes
  • Director: Jerry Schatzberg
  • Country:USA
  • Actors:
    Bobby
    Al Pacino
    Helen
    Kitty Winn
    Hotch
    Alan Vint
    Hank
    Richard Bright
    Chico
    Kiel Martin
    Sonny
    Michael McClanathan
    Sammy
    Warren Finnerty
    Marcie
    Marcia Jean Kurtz
    Marco
    Raul Julia
    Irene
    Angie Ortega
  • Genres:Crime, Drama, Romance
  • Producers:
    Dominick Dunne
    producer  
    Roger M. Rothstein
    associate producer  
  • Plot: 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 relationship with Bobby the stability she craves. She becomes addicted too, and life goes downhill for them both as their addiction deepens, eventually leading to a series of betrayals. But, in spite of it all, the relationship between Bobby and Helen endures. Written by E. Schofield <evescho@cafe.net>
The Panic in Needle Park
  • User's comment: by jcdelorme71

    The film is a winner. In this day an age of lukewarm, banal 70's retro chic it's nice to see the real thing. Al Pacino turns in a naturalistic speedball performance, and as a slice of New York grunge it's pretty damn fine. If you want plots though buy an allotment. But, you do get to follow various drugged out cats through the scuzzball minutia of their lives, and among the grimy spoons, and zesty needlework there is even time for a few low key gags. I think it is a minor 70's classic. Not for everyone's tastes, but if you like The King Of Marvin Gardens, and the strange dabblings of Paul Morrisey & co you will dig it. It is obvious that both Kids/Another Day In Paradise and Drugstore Cowboy are very much in its debt.


  • Quotes: Hank: What are you gonna do? Helen: Well, I'm not gonna do it with you. Bobby: I want you to shape up!
  • Also known as: Pánico en Needle Park (Mexico - imdb display title), Pánico en Needle Park (Spain), Panique à Needle Park (Canada - French title), Panique à Needle Park (France), Esrar bitti (Turkey - Turkish title), Narkomani (Poland), Os Viciados (Brazil), Pánik a Tű parkban (Hungary), Pânico em Needle Park (Portugal), Panico a Needle Park (Italy), Paniikki piikkipuistossa (Finland), Panik i Needle Park (Sweden), Panik im Needle Park (Austria), Panika u parku droga (Serbia - imdb display title), Panikos sto Needle Park (Greece - transliterated ISO-LATIN-1 title),

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