Prisoners (1982 film)

Prisoners is a 1982 drama film directed by Peter Werner and starring Tatum O'Neal, Colin Friels and David Hemmings.^[2]

Prisoners
Directed by	Peter Werner
Screenplay by	Meridith Baer Hilary Henkin
Story by	Meridith Baer
Produced by	Antony I. Ginnane John Barnett
Starring	Tatum O'Neal Colin Friels Shirley Knight David Hemmings Bruno Lawrence Ralph Cotterill
Cinematography	James Glennon
Edited by	Adrian Carr
Music by	Peter Sullivan
Production companies	FGH Keith Barish Productions Gupta Film Services
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Running time	95 minutes
Countries	New Zealand United States
Language	English
Budget	$NZD 4,288,719[1]

For unclear reasons, the film has never been released.^[3] The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound states that a financial dispute was allegedly the reason for the shelving of the completed film.^[4] According to New Zealand film historians Helen Martin and Sam Edwards, "One rumour has it that a relative of one of the actors bought the film to prevent its release."^[1]

Plot

An American moves his family to New Zealand where he takes charge of a prison in Wellington. His young daughter begins to have a love affair with one of the prisoners in his charge.

Cast

• Tatum O'Neal as Christie
• Colin Friels as Nick
• Shirley Knight as Virginia
• David Hemmings as Wilkens
• Bruno Lawrence as Peeky
• Ralph Cotterill as Holmby
• John Bach as Bodell
• Michael Hurst as Sciano
• Reg Ruka as Monkey
• Rob Jayne as Maslow
• Norman Fairley as Lewitt
• Peter Rowley as Hapstood
• Karl Bradley as Steel
• Richard Moss as Dunham
• Timothy Lee as Watts

Production

The movie was announced in March 1982. It was to be the first of four films made in New Zealand by 20th Century Fox.^[5] The deal for Prisoners was reportedly arranged by Fox executives Michael Nolin and John Davis, son of the new Fox owner, Marvin Davis.^[6]

The film was shot in Auckland from 29 June to 14 August 1982.^[7][8] Its budget was approximately $4.2 million.^[1]