The Onion Field
“What happened in the onion field is true. But the real crime is what happened after.”
An LA police officer is murdered in the onion fields outside of Bakersfield. However, legal loopholes could keep his kidnappers from receiving justice, and his partner is haunted by overwhelming survivor's guilt.
Where to watch The Onion Field in United States
BFI Player Amazon ChannelClick a service to open The Onion Field there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.
Where is The Onion Field streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | BFI Player Amazon Channel | — |
| Germany | Studiocanal Presents MOVIECULT Amazon Channel, Moviecult Amazon Channel | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |
| France | Molotov TV | Apple TV Store, Orange VOD, Amazon Video |
| Spain | Filmin | — |
About The Onion Field
The Onion Field is a 1979 English-language crime and drama film directed by Harold Becker. The cast is led by John Savage, James Woods, Franklyn Seales. It has a runtime of 2h 2m. Viewers rate it 6.0/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on BFI Player Amazon Channel.
The Onion Field was produced by Black Marble Productions and AVCO Embassy Pictures and made in United States of America. It was released on September 9, 1979, and carries a R certification.
- Director
- Harold Becker
- Writers
- Joseph Wambaugh
- Release date
- September 9, 1979
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- R
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United States of America
- Production
- Black Marble Productions, AVCO Embassy Pictures
The Onion Field cast & crew
The Onion Field was directed by Harold Becker and written by Joseph Wambaugh.
The cast features John Savage as Karl Hettinger, James Woods as Gregory Powell, Franklyn Seales as Jimmy Smith, Ted Danson as Ian Campbell, Ronny Cox as Pierce Brooks, and David Huffman as District Attorney Phil Halpin.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Eumir Deodato, cinematography is by Charles Rosher Jr., and it was produced by Walter Coblenz.
Is The Onion Field worth watching?
The Onion Field holds an audience score of 6.0/10 from 120 ratings, a solidly received crime films.
At 2h 2m, it's a standard feature-length watch.
If you enjoy crime and drama, The Onion Field is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch The Onion Field
In United States, you can stream The Onion Field on BFI Player Amazon Channel. Click any service above to open it directly.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
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Cast of The Onion Field
John Savage
Karl Hettinger
James Woods
Gregory Powell
Franklyn Seales
Jimmy Smith
Ted Danson
Ian Campbell
Ronny Cox
Pierce Brooks
David Huffman
District Attorney Phil Halpin
Christopher Lloyd
Jailhouse Lawyer
Dianne Hull
Helen Hettinger (as Diane Hull)
Priscilla Pointer
Chrissie Campbell
Beege Barkette
Greg's Woman
Richard Herd
Beat Cop
Le Tari
Emmanuel McFadden
The Onion Field — FAQs
▸Where can I watch The Onion Field in United States?
The Onion Field is streaming on BFI Player Amazon Channel in United States.
▸Is The Onion Field on BFI Player Amazon Channel?
Yes — The Onion Field is currently available on BFI Player Amazon Channel in United States.
▸What language is The Onion Field in?
The Onion Field is originally in English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is The Onion Field?
The Onion Field runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).
▸What is The Onion Field rated?
The Onion Field is rated R. It holds a 6.0/10 audience score from 120 ratings.
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