IMDb > The Punisher (1989)
The Punisher
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The Punisher (1989) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 3 NEW)
The Punisher (1989) -- When Frank Castle's family is murdered by criminals, he wages war on crime as a vigilante assassin known only as the Punisher.
The Punisher (1989) -- Clip: Funhouse fight
The Punisher (1989) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
5.2/10   6,129 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 18% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Mark Goldblatt
Writer (WGA):
Boaz Yakin (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Punisher on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
5 October 1989 (West Germany) more
Genre:
Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
If society won't punish the guilty, he will. more
Plot:
When Frank Castle's family is murdered by criminals, he wages war on crime as a vigilante assassin known only as the Punisher. full summary | add synopsis
User Comments:
a darker,more realistic version of the Punisher more (129 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

Runtime:
89 min | Finland:76 min (heavily cut) (1990) (1995)
Country:
Australia | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Iceland:16 | Spain:18 | Finland:K-16 (heavily cut) (1990) | Finland:K-16 (heavily cut) (1995) | Netherlands:16 | Finland:K-18 (2006) (self applied) (film festival rating) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | USA:R (cut) (certificate #29751) | Australia:R | France:-12 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 (video premiere) | Sweden:(Banned) | UK:18 (cut) | West Germany:18 (cut) | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In the opening sequence, on a cinema marquee, a poster is visible for the film "Make Them Die Slowly", better known as Cannibal ferox (1981). more
Goofs:
Continuity: After the lights go off, some goons shoot at where two characters are standing, only to find them gone when the emergency lights come on. Not a single bullet hole is visible in the Japanese paper screen they were standing before, however. more
Quotes:
Lady Tanaka: [answering the question, "Who the fuck do you think you are?"] We are Yakuza. When your ancestors were shepherds still screwing sheep on the Mediterranean coast, ours were the crime lords of Asia. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The President's Man (2000) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Vicious Minds more

FAQ

Is the US R-rated version completely uncensored?
more
7 out of 7 people found the following comment useful.
a darker,more realistic version of the Punisher, 31 January 2007
7/10
Author: disdressed12 from Canada

this version of the Punisher is much different than the 2004 version.for one thing it is much darker,and probably more faithful to the comic book version.the pacing is very deliberate in this one,creating more atmosphere.there are some very good fight scenes in this movie.the biggest difference is the protagonist,which is much more deadly in this one and a worthy adversary for the Punisher.Dolph Lundgren plays the role in this incarnation and is much more imposing,with better physical presence.this is mainly due to his size.he definitely would inspire fear in the criminal element.Lundgren is not really a great actor,but he doesn't need to be for this role.overall,this a good movie,more subdued than the 2004 version.there is more physical action,but very little of things blowing up,which works in this film's favor. a strong7/10

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Punisher (1989)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The Right Punisher Actor Question? Kclanning
ok,who ACTUALLY likes this movie? The_Punisher4eva
Dolph vs Jane vs Stevenson obin_gam
10x better than the 2004 version christothefrantz
What's so bad about this film? paladin-64
alternate ending moondawg45
more

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