Based on a play by Jean Genet, a small-time thief battles with his gay cellmate over a third illiterate, muscular convict.

"The murder, the thief and the homo: Director Vic Morrow (yes, the actor) keeps the cipher like characterizations but brings a cinematic quality to Genet's one set stage play. Leonard Nimoy (yes, Mr. Spock) (who co-produced the film with Morrow) is the small time thief who battles with queer Paul Mazursky (yes, the director) over the illiterate, muscular king convict Michael Forest. Deathwatch is a bold gay themed mainstream movie that vanished rapidly on its release and has not been screened since." - San Francisco Lesbian & Gay Film Festival