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The Onion Field

  • Watchlist
  • Watchlist

Gregory Ulas Powell is a disturbed ex-con who recruits Jimmy Lee "Youngblood" Smith, a petty thief, as his partner in crime. Powell panics one night when the two of them are pulled over by a pair of cops for broken brake lights. Powell decides to kidnap the cops, and Smith, as always, reluctantly goes along with Powell's crazy scheme. The group drives out to a deserted onion field in Bakersfield, California, and one officer is shot while the other escapes. The remainder of the film explores the nature of the American justice system, as well as the devastating psychological effects of this event, and the trial on the surviving officer.

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Cast & Crew See All

John Savage
Karl Hettinger
James Woods
Gregory Powell
Franklyn Seales
Jimmy Smith

Awards

  • 1980 - Golden Globe - Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - nominated
  • 1979 - NYFCC Award - Best Supporting Actor - nominated
  • 1980 - NSFC Award - Best Supporting Actor - nominated

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