A woman attempts to reunite her family by helping her husband escape prison and together kidnapping their son. But things don't go as planned when they are forced to take a police hostage on... Read allA woman attempts to reunite her family by helping her husband escape prison and together kidnapping their son. But things don't go as planned when they are forced to take a police hostage on the road.A woman attempts to reunite her family by helping her husband escape prison and together kidnapping their son. But things don't go as planned when they are forced to take a police hostage on the road.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 4 nominations
- Standby #1
- (as Kenneth Hudgins)
- Buster Daniels - Drunk
- (as Buster Danials)
- Mark Fenno
- (as Jim Harrell)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the first movie to feature a tracking shot (front seat to back) and a 360-degree pan with dialogue from within a car, made possible by the new Panaflex Camera (1972), which was intended to be first used by Clint Eastwood in his directorial debut, "Play Misty for Me," but wasn't ready in time.
- GoofsThere is an Exxon station shown near the prison. The movie is based on events of May 1969. Standard Oil did not change Esso to the Exxon brand until 1973.
- Quotes
Clovis Poplin: We're in real trouble.
Clovis Poplin: Say, I didn't mean what I said.
Maxwell Slide: What was that?
Clovis Poplin: When I called you a son of a bitch, I didn't mean it
Maxwell Slide: And you ain't no mental subject neither.
- Crazy creditsEpilogue: "Lou Jean served 15 months of a five-year prison term following her parole. She convinced the authorities that she was fit and able to take care of baby Langston. They are now living quietly in a small West Texas town. Captain Tanner and Officer Slide are still serving with the Texas Department of Public Safety."
- ConnectionsFeatured in At the Movies: Special Show: The Magic of Spielberg (1984)
- SoundtracksThe Eyes of Texas
(uncredited)
Written by John Lang Sinclair
[Played by marching band when the car enters Rodrigues, Texas]
I think what defines this film more than anything is the distinct new Spielberg smell. It has all of the things we recognize from the bigger Spielberg films, just on a much smaller scale. The dialogue flows so naturally and fits right in with the action and camera work of the film. There are lots of familiar camera techniques in the film, especially the fluid camera movement that goes on within the confines of the police vehicle, where a lot of the film takes place. Nothing is as grand and widespread as Spielberg's classics, but anyone who respects the genius can respect this film for what it is because, like it or not, this is where it all began.
But not only is The Sugarland Express a fascinating look into how Spielberg got his start, it is also just an incredibly fun film. Goldie Hawn plays the border line psychopath mother perfectly. She wants nothing more than to see her baby boy again, and she won't let anything stop her. The film hits both ends of the spectrum very nicely. A lot of it is very comedic, ranging from cleverly hilarious to downright goofy at times. Yet there are also moments of sincere dramatic tension. Through all of the offbeat wackiness, the film never forgets the situation it is dealing with. Despite everything, it is still two convicts running from the law, a subject that the characters must handle with care. And the film brings this to light very well, as it is very gripping at moments, and almost touching at others.
The Sugarland Express isn't much more than a very exciting adventure story with some enticing moments of drama thrown in, but you have to love it for that. It doesn't try to be much more and it pulls off everything it wants to deliver with a lot of talented finesse and grace. This is not a film to miss. It's only mistake was coming right before Jaws, a masterpiece that overshadowed it greatly, hence why we know that name, but few of us have heard of the pleasant little gem that is The Sugarland Express.
- KnightsofNi11
- Aug 7, 2011
- Permalink
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Carte Blanche
- Filming locations
- San Antonio, Texas, USA(Harlandale ISD Stadium & Military Drive)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $3,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $7,500,000
- Gross worldwide
- $7,505,037
- Runtime1 hour 50 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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