The Punisher (1989)

The Punisher (1989)
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This is an adaptation of a popular, violent Marvel Comics series about a character who's a frontier-style vigilante in modern-day urban America. Dolph Lundgren stars as Frank Castle, once a crusading police officer whose family was murdered by a car bomb planted by the Mob. Believed to be killed in the explosion, Castle has gone underground, building a subterranean lair in the sewer system and vengefully assassinating various criminals, wracking up an impressive body count of 125 slain in five years. Castle's former partner, Jake Berkowitz (Louis Gossett, Jr.) rightly suspects that he knows the true identity of the motorcycle-riding avenger dubbed "the Punisher." Meanwhile, Castle's bloody campaign has had the intended effect of weakening organized crime, creating an opportunity to consolidate power for the ambitious Gianni Franco (Jeroen Krabbe), the man responsible for the Castle family hit. Sensing an opportunity to muscle in on new lucrative turf, foreign competitors threaten Franco's empire. When the Japanese yakuza has the crime boss' innocent son kidnapped, Castle finds himself in the ironic position of helping a man he'd like to kill. Filmed in Australia, this low-budget action thriller did not get a theatrical release in the U.S., instead going directly to video. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Starring:
Dolph Lundgren, Louis Gossett, Jr., (more)
Director(s):
Mark Goldblatt
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The Punisher

This is an adaptation of a popular, violent Marvel Comics series about a character who's a frontier-style vigilante in modern-day urban America. Dolph Lundgren stars as Frank Castle, once a crusading police officer whose family was murdered by a car bomb planted by the Mob. Believed to be killed in the explosion, Castle has gone underground, building a subterranean lair in the sewer system and vengefully assassinating various criminals, wracking up an impressive body count of 125 slain in five years. Castle's former partner, Jake Berkowitz (Louis Gossett, Jr.) rightly suspects that he knows the true identity of the motorcycle-riding avenger dubbed "the Punisher." Meanwhile, Castle's bloody campaign has had the intended effect of weakening organized crime, creating an opportunity to consolidate power for the ambitious Gianni Franco (Jeroen Krabbe), the man responsible for the Castle family hit. Sensing an opportunity to muscle in on new lucrative turf, foreign competitors threaten Franco's empire. When the Japanese yakuza has the crime boss' innocent son kidnapped, Castle finds himself in the ironic position of helping a man he'd like to kill. Filmed in Australia, this low-budget action thriller did not get a theatrical release in the U.S., instead going directly to video. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
92 mins

Complete Cast of The Punisher


Director(s):
Mark Goldblatt
Writer(s):
Boaz Yakin, Robert Mark Kamen
Producer(s):
Simon Heath, Robert Guralnick, Mace Neufeld
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Not For Children, Adult Language, Violence, Profanity)
Categories:
Action / Adventure
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Michael S.

    This movie is great! If you like 80's style action movies with sub par effects and a whole lot of Dolph Lundgren. I am baffled as to why they decided he needed to be naked in this movie, but I am not a hollywood director. The movie actually is more to the line of the way the Punisher was intended to be, a dark twisted, alcoholic who is hell-bent on revenge. I loved the newer Punisher, but it strays away from the original idea too much with the comic relief. Overall, good movie, but not anything that will overwhelm you with greatness.

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    Jamaal E.

    This movie is the ish. Far better than the remake with John Trivolta due to it's dark side and shootout scenes. It's like a comic come to life with all the action and minimum dialogue of a comic. It follows Frank Castles story of his family being killed and the thought of him dying with them, so he goes on a murderous rampage, punishing (killing) all that do wrong. The Yakuza getting involved was an excellent twist to the movie as well. I'm sure if you enjoy comic adaptions, though this is pretty much dated, this is still a better choice than the millenium version.

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    John L.

    I like this one almost better than the newer version of the"Punisher"...

    Yes   |   No

     
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