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The Onion Field 1979

“What happened in the onion field is true. But the real crime is what happened after.”

★ 6.0/10 R CrimeDrama Released
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★ 6.0/10
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Quick answer

What is The Onion Field?

The Onion Field is a 1979 crime and drama film directed by Harold Becker, released in the United States on September 9, 1979. The story follows an LA police officer who is murdered in the onion fields outside of Bakersfield, while legal loopholes threaten to prevent his kidnappers from facing justice and his partner deals with overwhelming survivor's guilt.

Type
Film
Year
1979
Status
Released
Runtime
122 minutes
Release date
Sep 9, 1979
Studios
Black Marble Productions, AVCO Embassy Pictures
Genres
Crime, Drama
Updated
Streaming Intelligence

Binge-Worthiness & Content Radar

82 /100 Solid Watch
⚡ Pacing & Momentum8.2/10
🧠 Narrative Depth8.6/10
🔄 Rewatch Potential7.7/10
🎬 Production Scale8.2/10
🎯 Feature Film #Crime #Drama

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Overview

The Onion Field is a 1979 crime and drama film directed by Harold Becker, released in the United States on September 9, 1979. The story follows an LA police officer who is murdered in the onion fields outside of Bakersfield, while legal loopholes threaten to prevent his kidnappers from facing justice and his partner deals with overwhelming survivor's guilt.

The film features an ensemble cast including John Savage, James Woods, Franklyn Seales, Ted Danson, Ronny Cox, and Christopher Lloyd in his film debut. It runs for 2 hours and 2 minutes, holding an R rating, and focuses heavily on the aftermath of a true crime.

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Should you watch it?

“An LA police officer is murdered, leaving his partner haunted by survivor's guilt.”

Reasons to watch
  • Features a notable cast including John Savage, James Woods, and Christopher Lloyd in his film debut.
  • Explores the complex legal loopholes that threaten to keep the kidnappers from receiving justice.
  • Examines the heavy psychological toll of survivor's guilt on the surviving partner.
Keep in mind
  • The heavy thematic focus on crime and legal struggles may not appeal to viewers looking for lighthearted entertainment.

Watch it if you appreciate gritty crime dramas based on true events.

The film maintains a dramatic tone with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes, and carries an R rating.

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I stream The Onion Field?

Streaming availability can be checked on platforms like The Movie Database (TMDB) under the watch now section.

Is The Onion Field worth watching?

It is a notable crime drama featuring a strong cast including James Woods and John Savage, centered on a true story and its aftermath.

What is the runtime of the film?

The film has a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes.

Who directed the film?

The film was directed by Harold Becker.

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