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The first of many in a series depicting the harrowing prison existence of a convict who uses his wits and fists to survive. Leon Isaac Kennedy's character is thrown deep into the bowels of the prison system, where the only consistent truth is kill or be killed. To show his strength and gain respect from the other inmates, Kennedy must distinguish himself as a boxer, taking on all comers to save his own skin and regain his pride as a human being. Surprisingly effective in its harsh detailing of violent prison life, the film addresses the dehumanization of prisoners without excusing their crimes. Thought of as an exploitation picture, Penitentiary rises above its roots to provide a blunt and passionate look at one man's struggle on the inside. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Quite possibly one of the best
The poetry and hidden beauty of Penitentiary are not simple yet astounding. Badja Djola's (Half-Dead) expressionism of the violence of prison life, and Lion Isaac Kenneday's portrayal of Too Sweet as the hero struggling against all to prevail make this movie this instant classic it is. The amazing fight scenes that depict the sole outlet for these oppression and violence of the unfortuate inmates brings to the fore the struggles of the nation itself in the 70s. Deep, thoughtful, and above all entertaining, one of the best!

A low-budget classic!
The quality of the movie is poor, but if you want a good movie, with black actors, get this classic.

I've loved this movie since i was 15. It's crazy and funny.
Even though it is a B movie, it was great. The fight scenes were just nutty. The characters in this movie are wild. The gay guys at the matches were great. When the women pentitiary came over to watch the matches then things really got crazy. It was tooo funny. I watch it over and over.

A long lost blacksploitation Gem!
Suprise, suprise blaxpo fans the movie that started off the penitentiary trend is available. No, it's not the one with Mr. T (penitentiary II) or that horrible one with the midget. (penintiary III) This is the one with the original too sweet, half dead and seldom seen. The movie is low budget and cheap, try to find the boom mike in some scenes, but that's not what impresses me. It's the fact it transends the usual blacksploitation stereotypes. They are still there but also there is also a lot of truth within it. The seldom seen character is no characture he's a real. (He play's too sweet trainer.) I was amazed at how realistic his portrayal of an institutionalized convict was. We really get to understan him and why he does what he does. Another interesting thing about this movie is the the character half dead (Badja Djola) was hilarious. (You want some Mr. goodbar) You might remember him from the dozens of movies afterward (a rage in harlem, mississippi burning and other films) I also liked the fact that this was funny(mostly) but it also was serious at times. If you are any kind of fan of blacksploitation movies, or cult movies in general I urge you to buy or rent if you can find this video. Trust me it's HARD to find! ... Read more

Description

Framed for murder and imprisoned, a man endures torturous beatings before being forced to fight the prison's worst killer, a martial-arts fighting midget. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Prison Drama Turned Comedy
Just like the first two "Penitentiary" movies, Leon Isaac Kennedy ends up falsely accused and back in prison again. The plot keeps building up fear of "The Midnight Thud". When Kennedy asks another con about "The Thud" he replies..."You'll be sleeping in your rack about midnight when the cell door opens. You hear a thud and then your manhood is gone." But when you see "The Thud", this movie turns into a comedy. He's a black midget they keep in a basement cell, feeding him a constant diet of cocaine and porn films. When he comes to get Kennedy it looks like a monkey trying to rip Kennedy's ears off. It's hilarious. Don't miss it.

best prison movie since caged heat 2!
this is one of the best movies ever. the character of "the midnight thud", played by the haiti kid was tremendous. truely an inspiration to us all. it made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me never want to go to prison and have my manhood taken by a miget with a studed collar on. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The music
I over the years have become a big fan of blaxploitation films. I have nothing negative to say, because if it weren't for them there would be no Eddie Murphy and so on.

The only reason I gave this picture 4 stars is because I can't for the life of me find out the name of that song that plays at the end of this movie. If anybody anywhere can tell me the name of that song and who sings it, I would greatly appreciate it. Send me an e-mail and I will reply with great thanks. Maurice

Crazy Movie!!
This movie had me rolling in laughter, but there's an important message behind this movie. The production is quite low and the acting will not win any Oscars, but this is one of the best Blaxploitation movies I have ever seen.

Blaxploitation at it's finest
This is my favorite movie of all time.. it has the best dialogue,"hip 70's phrases", music.. the characters are believable.. I've watched this movie a thousand time and it gets better every time.. this has got to be blaxploitation at it's finest!!!!!

country girl enters the big city
Wow! This movie is wild. The acting and even the directing and edting isn't the best, but it keeps you hooked in once you're out the gate.

I enjoyed the music and hints of black militancy. Like at one point when the main character Anna Mae(?) says the same line as Jonathan Jackson when he attempted to liberate his brother George Jackson.

All and all, it's good for laughs and jokes.

This movie did not have the best acting but it was truly fun
I think that this movie needs to be republicized ... Read more

Reviews (5)

BEST BOXING MOVIE EVER!
Penitentiary 2 is the best of the Penitentiary flicks. It has the drama of Rocky, the comedy of an old Rudy Ray Moore flick, and the edge of an episode of OZ (HOOOOOOAAAAH). Speaking of OZ, this flick has Ernie Hudson in it. Oh and don't let me forget to mention that this movie has the ultimate action TV hero of the 80's MR. T! My favorite character in this movie is Mr. Seldom Seems. This guy's beard is as thick and round as the afro on his head and he's always telling people not to touch him. He's got a thing about people touching him, he's sort of like Rain Man except he doesn't scream when he's hugged he just starts throwing blows. If you want to watch a classic boxing movie, then P2 is it.......OOOH YEAH, there's a drag queen and a midget in this movie also

T is my unholy master!
Sometime around 1983 I was wrought with such viable emotional disturbances as dialapetes of the panchreas and triaceotomy of the plebes, the only way I could have overcome these ailments was to sell my soul to Mr. T. Who is, consequenTly, the jesus of our time. Mr. T was born of the virgin mary and will rise again in three days, to judge the living and the dead, his kingdom will have no end! Join T and all his followers to bask in the glory of his eTernal kingdom. He is eated at the right hand of the father and shall proclaim his worth to the masses through the profits. Hail T! Hail adrian! Hail satan!

Crazy Potato-Salad Scene!
This film is a cross between the "Rocky" films and Rudy Ray Moore flicks (Dolomite, The Avenging Disco Godfather... and HE does make a special appearance in this Fanaka classic). With loony character names like 'Too Sweet", 'Half-Dead' and 'Seldom Seen', this story-line is peppered with demented scenes like the scary "potato salad scene", or the dwarf-prostitute pursuit. A must see for all Mr. T fans.

Crazy potato-salad scene!
This film an interesting cross between the "Rocky" flicks and basically any movie with Rudy Ray Moore (Dolomite, Avenging disco Godfather...and he does make an appearance in this film). With crazy character names like 'Too Sweet', 'Seldom Seen', 'Half-Dead', one can't go wrong. Go 'Too Sweet', 'Half-Dead' will never bring you down!

Under rated
What can you say about a movie that has Mr. T as a boxing instructer, smoking a bong, and drinking wine? Well I rank this movie high because the clothes of Mr. T are better than any thing worn to the oscars. I meam He dresses as a genie....come on the man is a genuis. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Disjointed, Camp Classic
Originally released in the theatres as "Welcome Home, Brother Charles," this is the first feature directed by Jamaa Fanaka ("Penitentiary"). Made while a student at UCLA, the film looks like it was shot on a shoestring budget -- and without the help of faculty advisors.

The technical quality of the film aside, the narrative is terribly disjointed. What little story it has involves a man wrongfully sent to prison. What takes the film beyond mere cliche is a bizarre twist on the "Pinocchio" story. Here, another part of the man's anatomy grows instead of his nose. It must be seen to be believed. If ever there was a rival to the campiness of Ed Wood (and later, John Waters), it is Jamaa Fanaka with this film. Perhaps like Ed Wood, someone will do a biopic on Fanaka's early career.

Even more amazing is that "Welcome Home, Brother Charles" got significant theatrical distribution over equally risky, but much better crafted works by fellow UCLA classmates Haile Gerima ("Harvest: 3000 Years") and Charles Burnett ("Killer of Sheep"). Gerima later directed the indie hit "Sankofa." Burnett would go on to make "To Sleep with Anger" and the telefilm, "The Wedding." Meanwhile, Fanaka followed this film with the vastly superior "Emma Mae" (released on video as "Black Sister's Revenge"), which also got a theatrical release. The latter is arguably the best film of his career ("Penitentiary III" being the best from a technical standpoint).

In short, "Welcome Home, Brother Charles" is nothing more than a curiosity piece for avid fans of so called "blaxploitation" films. It might also serve as an example to aspiring filmmakers of what NOT to do in a film.

You have been warned.

Greatest Movie Ever
I'm not kidding - this movie has to be seen to be believed. It's got love, romance, lust, sex, revenge - in short, all the things that make life worthwhile. Shakespeare doesn't have anything up on this fine piece of cinema. The strangulation scene makes this whole movie worth it.

Man.... this is a great "bad movie"
This movie has a few scenes that make it worth watching.

One "brilliant" (literally) scene is the "blinky-eye" scene where the actors are constantly blinking for no apparent reason. There must have been a bright light in their eyes or something.

And there's another great scene at the end that just has to be seen to be believed.

A revelation!!!!
My goodness, I'm as white as a turnip, but this movie still moves me in a multitude of ways!! Blaxploitation at it's finest. Marloe Monte convey's the despotism and decrepitude of south central L.A. to perfection, a visceral portrayal of what could be considered one of the most ignominious eras in contemporary American culture. The laconic dialogue, consisting in it's finest moments of archaic "jive talk", replete with the obligatory "mutha" every ten minutes, realistically portrays the culture and frustration of Charles (Monte) and his prostitute girlfriend as they struggle to ameliorate their lives in an atmosphere of ubiquitous oppression and exploitation by the omnipresent "MAN". A brilliant concept, brilliant execution, inspired acting...I cannot prase it enough. The sexual tension is as tangible as can be, and the action is incessantly non-stop.

without fail, the greatest movie ever made!!
"soul vengance" works on so many levels, it's hard to know where to begin. marlo monte's riveting portrayal of charlie is so ridden with angst and pure pain it's heart-wrenching. the climaxes are breath-taking, and the loves scenes are beautifully directed. i can't believe they skipped this one on oscar night!! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Quite possibly one of the best
The poetry and hidden beauty of Penitentiary are not simple yet astounding. Badja Djola's (Half-Dead) expressionism of the violence of prison life, and Lion Isaac Kenneday's portrayal of Too Sweet as the hero struggling against all to prevail make this movie this instant classic it is. The amazing fight scenes that depict the sole outlet for these oppression and violence of the unfortuate inmates brings to the fore the struggles of the nation itself in the 70s. Deep, thoughtful, and above all entertaining, one of the best!

A low-budget classic!
The quality of the movie is poor, but if you want a good movie, with black actors, get this classic.

I've loved this movie since i was 15. It's crazy and funny.
Even though it is a B movie, it was great. The fight scenes were just nutty. The characters in this movie are wild. The gay guys at the matches were great. When the women pentitiary came over to watch the matches then things really got crazy. It was tooo funny. I watch it over and over.

A long lost blacksploitation Gem!
Suprise, suprise blaxpo fans the movie that started off the penitentiary trend is available. No, it's not the one with Mr. T (penitentiary II) or that horrible one with the midget. (penintiary III) This is the one with the original too sweet, half dead and seldom seen. The movie is low budget and cheap, try to find the boom mike in some scenes, but that's not what impresses me. It's the fact it transends the usual blacksploitation stereotypes. They are still there but also there is also a lot of truth within it. The seldom seen character is no characture he's a real. (He play's too sweet trainer.) I was amazed at how realistic his portrayal of an institutionalized convict was. We really get to understan him and why he does what he does. Another interesting thing about this movie is the the character half dead (Badja Djola) was hilarious. (You want some Mr. goodbar) You might remember him from the dozens of movies afterward (a rage in harlem, mississippi burning and other films) I also liked the fact that this was funny(mostly) but it also was serious at times. If you are any kind of fan of blacksploitation movies, or cult movies in general I urge you to buy or rent if you can find this video. Trust me it's HARD to find! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The music
I over the years have become a big fan of blaxploitation films. I have nothing negative to say, because if it weren't for them there would be no Eddie Murphy and so on.

The only reason I gave this picture 4 stars is because I can't for the life of me find out the name of that song that plays at the end of this movie. If anybody anywhere can tell me the name of that song and who sings it, I would greatly appreciate it. Send me an e-mail and I will reply with great thanks. Maurice

Crazy Movie!!
This movie had me rolling in laughter, but there's an important message behind this movie. The production is quite low and the acting will not win any Oscars, but this is one of the best Blaxploitation movies I have ever seen.

Blaxploitation at it's finest
This is my favorite movie of all time.. it has the best dialogue,"hip 70's phrases", music.. the characters are believable.. I've watched this movie a thousand time and it gets better every time.. this has got to be blaxploitation at it's finest!!!!!

country girl enters the big city
Wow! This movie is wild. The acting and even the directing and edting isn't the best, but it keeps you hooked in once you're out the gate.

I enjoyed the music and hints of black militancy. Like at one point when the main character Anna Mae(?) says the same line as Jonathan Jackson when he attempted to liberate his brother George Jackson.

All and all, it's good for laughs and jokes.

This movie did not have the best acting but it was truly fun
I think that this movie needs to be republicized ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A "Rock and a Hard Place"!!!
Folks use that cliche' meaning someone is basically caught up in a situation.
Sugarpop (Alan Joseph Wone) ends up in "the life" on the strength of his relatives involvement.
His 17 year old choices are wiser than his age, yet he is not as viscious as many would have been given the same circumstances.
Wone plays this role very natural, without a lot of the overacting I've seen in my time.
The movie has a different kind of twist, and I say CHECK IT OUT!!!!

Street Wars
The crackhouse in the movie was the wildest I ever seen. The special effects were kinda old. But it will take you a ride in the street underworld. I like the chicano guy in the begining he was a natural. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

BEST BOXING MOVIE EVER!
Penitentiary 2 is the best of the Penitentiary flicks. It has the drama of Rocky, the comedy of an old Rudy Ray Moore flick, and the edge of an episode of OZ (HOOOOOOAAAAH). Speaking of OZ, this flick has Ernie Hudson in it. Oh and don't let me forget to mention that this movie has the ultimate action TV hero of the 80's MR. T! My favorite character in this movie is Mr. Seldom Seems. This guy's beard is as thick and round as the afro on his head and he's always telling people not to touch him. He's got a thing about people touching him, he's sort of like Rain Man except he doesn't scream when he's hugged he just starts throwing blows. If you want to watch a classic boxing movie, then P2 is it.......OOOH YEAH, there's a drag queen and a midget in this movie also

T is my unholy master!
Sometime around 1983 I was wrought with such viable emotional disturbances as dialapetes of the panchreas and triaceotomy of the plebes, the only way I could have overcome these ailments was to sell my soul to Mr. T. Who is, consequenTly, the jesus of our time. Mr. T was born of the virgin mary and will rise again in three days, to judge the living and the dead, his kingdom will have no end! Join T and all his followers to bask in the glory of his eTernal kingdom. He is eated at the right hand of the father and shall proclaim his worth to the masses through the profits. Hail T! Hail adrian! Hail satan!

Crazy Potato-Salad Scene!
This film is a cross between the "Rocky" films and Rudy Ray Moore flicks (Dolomite, The Avenging Disco Godfather... and HE does make a special appearance in this Fanaka classic). With loony character names like 'Too Sweet", 'Half-Dead' and 'Seldom Seen', this story-line is peppered with demented scenes like the scary "potato salad scene", or the dwarf-prostitute pursuit. A must see for all Mr. T fans.

Crazy potato-salad scene!
This film an interesting cross between the "Rocky" flicks and basically any movie with Rudy Ray Moore (Dolomite, Avenging disco Godfather...and he does make an appearance in this film). With crazy character names like 'Too Sweet', 'Seldom Seen', 'Half-Dead', one can't go wrong. Go 'Too Sweet', 'Half-Dead' will never bring you down!

Under rated
What can you say about a movie that has Mr. T as a boxing instructer, smoking a bong, and drinking wine? Well I rank this movie high because the clothes of Mr. T are better than any thing worn to the oscars. I meam He dresses as a genie....come on the man is a genuis. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Disjointed, Camp Classic
Originally released in the theatres as "Welcome Home, Brother Charles," this is the first feature directed by Jamaa Fanaka ("Penitentiary"). Made while a student at UCLA, the film looks like it was shot on a shoestring budget -- and without the help of faculty advisors.

The technical quality of the film aside, the narrative is terribly disjointed. What little story it has involves a man wrongfully sent to prison. What takes the film beyond mere cliche is a bizarre twist on the "Pinocchio" story. Here, another part of the man's anatomy grows instead of his nose. It must be seen to be believed. If ever there was a rival to the campiness of Ed Wood (and later, John Waters), it is Jamaa Fanaka with this film. Perhaps like Ed Wood, someone will do a biopic on Fanaka's early career.

Even more amazing is that "Welcome Home, Brother Charles" got significant theatrical distribution over equally risky, but much better crafted works by fellow UCLA classmates Haile Gerima ("Harvest: 3000 Years") and Charles Burnett ("Killer of Sheep"). Gerima later directed the indie hit "Sankofa." Burnett would go on to make "To Sleep with Anger" and the telefilm, "The Wedding." Meanwhile, Fanaka followed this film with the vastly superior "Emma Mae" (released on video as "Black Sister's Revenge"), which also got a theatrical release. The latter is arguably the best film of his career ("Penitentiary III" being the best from a technical standpoint).

In short, "Welcome Home, Brother Charles" is nothing more than a curiosity piece for avid fans of so called "blaxploitation" films. It might also serve as an example to aspiring filmmakers of what NOT to do in a film.

You have been warned.

Greatest Movie Ever
I'm not kidding - this movie has to be seen to be believed. It's got love, romance, lust, sex, revenge - in short, all the things that make life worthwhile. Shakespeare doesn't have anything up on this fine piece of cinema. The strangulation scene makes this whole movie worth it.

Man.... this is a great "bad movie"
This movie has a few scenes that make it worth watching.

One "brilliant" (literally) scene is the "blinky-eye" scene where the actors are constantly blinking for no apparent reason. There must have been a bright light in their eyes or something.

And there's another great scene at the end that just has to be seen to be believed.

A revelation!!!!
My goodness, I'm as white as a turnip, but this movie still moves me in a multitude of ways!! Blaxploitation at it's finest. Marloe Monte convey's the despotism and decrepitude of south central L.A. to perfection, a visceral portrayal of what could be considered one of the most ignominious eras in contemporary American culture. The laconic dialogue, consisting in it's finest moments of archaic "jive talk", replete with the obligatory "mutha" every ten minutes, realistically portrays the culture and frustration of Charles (Monte) and his prostitute girlfriend as they struggle to ameliorate their lives in an atmosphere of ubiquitous oppression and exploitation by the omnipresent "MAN". A brilliant concept, brilliant execution, inspired acting...I cannot prase it enough. The sexual tension is as tangible as can be, and the action is incessantly non-stop.

without fail, the greatest movie ever made!!
"soul vengance" works on so many levels, it's hard to know where to begin. marlo monte's riveting portrayal of charlie is so ridden with angst and pure pain it's heart-wrenching. the climaxes are breath-taking, and the loves scenes are beautifully directed. i can't believe they skipped this one on oscar night!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A "Rock and a Hard Place"!!!
Folks use that cliche' meaning someone is basically caught up in a situation.
Sugarpop (Alan Joseph Wone) ends up in "the life" on the strength of his relatives involvement.
His 17 year old choices are wiser than his age, yet he is not as viscious as many would have been given the same circumstances.
Wone plays this role very natural, without a lot of the overacting I've seen in my time.
The movie has a different kind of twist, and I say CHECK IT OUT!!!!

Street Wars
The crackhouse in the movie was the wildest I ever seen. The special effects were kinda old. But it will take you a ride in the street underworld. I like the chicano guy in the begining he was a natural. ... Read more