Skip to main content
Action Cult Classic

Boxer Too Sweet faces prison brutality and a killer martial-arts dwarf in this blaxploitation slugfest.

PENITENTIARY III

1987 · 1h 31m · R · Action / Crime / Drama · IMDB TMDB

A man, Boxer Too Sweet, is framed for murder and sent to prison. He is beaten and tortured, then forced to fight the prison's worst killers, Thud the dwarf and Hugo the hulk.

▶ Watch Now My List

Quick Answer

What is Penitentiary III about?

Penitentiary III is a 1987 American action, crime, and drama film directed by Jamaa Fanaka about a man framed for murder who is sent to prison and forced to fight the institution's most dangerous killer.

Programmer's Pick

Where else can you watch a framed boxer battle a martial-arts fighting killer dwarf named Thud? Jamaa Fanaka steers this blaxploitation sequel into full-contact absurdity, blending bone-crunching prison drama with offbeat casting choices.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Penitentiary III follows boxer Too Sweet, who finds himself framed for murder and condemned to a brutal prison sentence. Inside, he faces relentless beatings and torture at the hands of those in power, and is ultimately forced to fight for survival in the ring. The prison's deadliest killer, Thud—a martial-arts expert and formidable little person—stands as his main adversary, with the threat of violence never far from reach. With its blend of action, crime, and drama, the film delves into the corruption and violence that thrive behind bars, blending blaxploitation elements and a unique cast of characters for a gritty, high-stakes showdown.

Details & Specs

Director
Jamaa Fanaka
Writer
Jamaa Fanaka
Release
1987
Runtime
1h 31m
Genres
Action, Crime, Drama

Why This Matters

Written and directed by Jamaa Fanaka, this sequel to Penitentiary II was distributed by Cannon Film Distributors, reflecting the studio's penchant for gritty, offbeat crime dramas in the 1980s.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

View all →
Director: Jamaa Fanaka Writer: Jamaa Fanaka
Leon Isaac Kennedy Leon Isaac Kennedy Too Sweet Anthony Geary Anthony Geary Serenghetti Steve Antin Steve Antin Roscoe Rick Zumwalt Rick Zumwalt Joshua Raymond Kessler Raymond Kessler Midnight Thud Jessup (as The Haiti Kid) Danny Trejo Danny Trejo See Veer JB Jim Bailey Cleopatra RM Ric Mancini Warden Ty Randolph Ty Randolph Sugar Raye Hollitt Raye Hollitt Female Boxer BW Bert Williams Tim Shoah Jack Rader Jack Rader Fred George Payne George Payne Jess Drew Bundini Brown Drew Bundini Brown Sugg

Explore More

Why Cult

Killer Dwarf Showdown

The prison's most feared assassin is a martial-arts expert little person called Thud—only in Penitentiary III.

Blaxploitation Prison Action

This film delivers a hard-hitting blend of 1980s blaxploitation and brutal prison brawls.

Unlikely Cast of Characters

From a corrupt warden to a martial-arts dwarf and a boxer fighting for his life, the lineup is anything but ordinary.

Underground Boxing Matches

Bare-knuckle fights and high-stakes boxing drive the film’s action-packed sequences.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Boxer Too Sweet is framed for murder and imprisoned

Threat

Prison's deadliest killer, Thud the martial-arts dwarf

Effect

Physical violence and forced fights for survival

Setting

Brutal prison environment

Questions from the Vault

When was Penitentiary III released? +

Penitentiary III was released in 1987.

Who directed Penitentiary III? +

Jamaa Fanaka directed Penitentiary III.

How long is Penitentiary III? +

Penitentiary III has a runtime of 91 minutes.

What genre is Penitentiary III? +

Penitentiary III is an action, crime, and drama film.

Trailers & Clips

You Might Also Like

See All →