Maidstone (1971): cast, story & where to watch
1971 · Film · ★ 4.3
Released in 1971, Maidstone is a drama film directed by Norman Mailer, running about 106 minutes.
What it’s about. Over a booze-fueled, increasingly hectic five-day shoot in East Hampton, Norman Mailer and his cast and crew spontaneously unloaded onto film the lurid and loony chronicle of U.S. presidential candidate and filmmaker Norman T. Kingsley debating and attacking his hangers-on and enemies. This gonzo narrative, “an inkblot test of Mailer’s own subconscious” (Time), becomes something like a documentary on its own making when costar Rip Torn breaks the fourth wall in one of cinema’s most alarming on-screen outbursts.
Who’s in it. Maidstone stars Norman Mailer as Norman T. Kingsley, Rip Torn as Raoul Rey O'Houlihan, Ultra Violet as Herself and Paul Austin, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.3/10, Maidstone has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Maidstone page.
If you liked it. Fans of Maidstone tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Maidstone (1971)?
- In US, Maidstone is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Maidstone worth watching?
- Maidstone holds an audience score of 4.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Maidstone?
- Maidstone stars Norman Mailer, Rip Torn, Ultra Violet, Paul Austin and Joy Bang.
- When was Maidstone released?
- Maidstone was released in 1971, with a runtime of about 106 minutes.