The Punisher (1989 film)

The Punisher
The Punisher
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Mark Goldblatt
Written by	Boaz Yakin
Based on	Punisher; by Gerry Conway; Ross Andru; John Romita Sr.;
Produced by	Robert Mark Kamen
Starring	Dolph Lundgren; Louis Gossett Jr.;
Cinematography	Ian Baker
Edited by	Tim Wellburn;
Music by	Dennis Dreith
Production; company	New World Pictures
Distributed by	Live Entertainment (North America); New World International (International)
Release dates	October 5, 1989 (West Germany); April 25, 1991 (United States);
Running time	89 minutes
Countries	United States; Australia;
Language	English
Budget	$9 million
Box office	$30 million

The Punisher is a 1989 vigilante action-thriller film directed by Mark Goldblatt, written by Boaz Yakin, and starring Dolph Lundgren . Based on the Punisher character from Marvel Comics. It was shot in Sydney, co-starring Louis Gossett Jr, Jeroen Krabbé, Kim Miyori, Nancy Everhard, and Barry Otto.

Former undercover police detective Frank Castle (Lundgren), presumed dead after his family's murder, becomes the elusive vigilante "The Punisher," targeting mobsters with his skull-etched throwing knives. As the mob groups weaken under his relentless attacks, the yakuza, led by Lady Tanaka (Miyori), seize the opportunity to invade their territories, threatening the Mafia by kidnapping their children. Punisher retaliates, freeing most captives, except the son of mobster Gianni Franco (Krabbé), and gets arrested. Freed by Franco, Punisher aids him in rescuing Franco's son from the yakuza.

The film had a troubled release as New World Pictures had financial issues. While it received a theatrical run internationally, it was released on Home Video in the United States, grossing $30 Million. Changes to the character's origin and the elimination of the signature skull logo troubled fans of the comic book upon its release and they were dismissive. Initial reviews found it to be a trashy comic book film. The film has developed a cult following and some consider it the comic's best adaptation. The film was re-evaluated with a much more positive outlook citing Lundgren's solid performance as a ghostly, soul depraved vigilante and the first rate supporting cast.

^ "THE PUNISHER (18) (CUT)". British Board of Film Classification. April 4, 1990. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
^ ^a ^b Marvel Comics into Film: Essays on Adaptations Since the 1940s. McFarland & Company. 2016. pp. 234–6. ISBN 978-0786443048.

[1] "THE PUNISHER (18) (CUT)". British Board of Film Classification. April 4, 1990. Retrieved September 5, 2014.

[receipts-2] Marvel Comics into Film: Essays on Adaptations Since the 1940s. McFarland & Company. 2016. pp. 234–6. ISBN 978-0786443048.

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