Penitentiary Collection
Penitentiary is a 1979 American blaxploitation drama film written, produced, and directed by Jamaa Fanaka, and starring Leon Isaac Kennedy as Martel "Too Sweet" Gordone, a man who deals with the wrongful imprisonment of a black youth. The film was released on November 21, 1979. The first sequel, Penitentiary II, was released in 1982. It was a direct sequel that followed the exploits of "Too Sweet" Gordone shortly after his release from prison. It was notable for the early casting of Mr. T as Gordone's trainer, Glynn Turman as his brother-in-law, and Ernie Hudson recast in the villainous role of "Half Dead." The second sequel, Penitentiary III, was released in 1987. The plot centers on "Too Sweet" Gordone's time in prison, where he is sent after beating another boxer to death in a performance enhancing drug-fueled fugue state.
Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis
The Penitentiary Collection has evolved significantly over a span of 8 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 3 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.
The "Series" Benchmark: 4.8/10
The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 4.8. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," Penitentiary Collection has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with Penitentiary III standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.
Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal
Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the Penitentiary Collection. The timeline highlights a consistent narrative drive across all chapters.
Timeline & Watch Order
We recommend watching the Penitentiary Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.
Penitentiary
A hitchhiker named Martel Gordone gets in a fight with two bikers over a prostitute, and one of the bikers is killed. Gordone is arrested and sent to prison, wh...
Penitentiary II
An ex-con, on parole and trying to straighten his life out, decides to resume his boxing career when one of his prison enemies escapes and kills his girlfriend....
Penitentiary III
A man is framed for murder and sent to prison. He is beaten and tortured, then forced to fight the prison's worst killer, a martial-arts fighting midget called ...
Common Questions about Penitentiary Collection
How many movies are in the Penitentiary Collection?
There are currently 3 movies in the Penitentiary Collection, starting from Penitentiary to the latest release, Penitentiary III.
What is the best order to watch the Penitentiary Collection?
The best way to watch the Penitentiary Collection is usually in release order: starting with Penitentiary and ending with Penitentiary III. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.
Which is the highest-rated movie in the Penitentiary Collection?
According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for Penitentiary III in this franchise.