The Onion Field (1979)

Crime Drama

Greg Powell, a disturbed ex-con, recruits Jimmy Youngblood (Smith) a petty thief, as partner in crime. Powell panics when they two of are pulled over by two cops for tail lights. Powell decides to kidnap the cops and Smith goes along with his crazy scheme. They drive out to a deserted onion field in Bakersfield, where one cop is killed and the other escapes. The film explores the consequences.

Updated May 11 2020

Releases:

US -

1979-09-09

MoreLess Releases

Keywords:

cop-killer based on a true story police officer killed capital punishment in the closet

FACTS

Runtime: 122 mins Rating: 6.2 Tag Line: That happened in the onion field is true. But the real crime is what happened after.

Cast

William Sanderson

Young Con

Ronny Cox

Det. Sgt. Pierce R. Brooks

Christopher Lloyd

Milton

Lee Weaver

Billy

James Woods

Gregory Ulas Powell

Priscilla Pointer

Chrissie Campbell

Ted Danson

Det. Ian James Campbell

Richard Herd

Beat Cop