The Sugarland Express

Name: The Sugarland Express
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: April 5, 1974
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Goldie Hawn

1974

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: April 5, 1974 | PG

Starring: Goldie Hawn

Summary: Based on a true story, a desperate mother (Goldie Hawn) attempts to reunite her family by any means necessary including helping her husband escape prison, kidnapping a Texas state trooper and leading the police on a wild chase across the state in an effort to save her son from adoption. Winning the hearts of many fans that followed herBased on a true story, a desperate mother (Goldie Hawn) attempts to reunite her family by any means necessary including helping her husband escape prison, kidnapping a Texas state trooper and leading the police on a wild chase across the state in an effort to save her son from adoption. Winning the hearts of many fans that followed her story on the news, this film conveys the true story of a girl who took on all of Texas... and almost won. [Universal Pictures]… Expand

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre(s): Drama, Crime

Rating: PG

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

The film moves well and never loses its gripping tension, but the lighthearted tone of the beginning takes a dive into an abyss that shocks many viewers. Read full review

Nora Sayre

The movie has a casual craziness that seems especially native. Read full review

Roger Ebert

If the movie finally doesn’t succeed, that’s because Spielberg has paid too much attention to all those police cars (and all the crashes they get into), and not enough to the personalities of his characters. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Unfortunately, the film degenerates in final reels to heavy-handed social polemic and sound-and-fury shootout. Read full review

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User Reviews

DawdlingPoet

Nov 22, 2021

I enjoyed this film, mainly in terms of the way it showed a real media circus descend on the kidnapped police officer via the hostage takers on the road. There are some amusing moments and its also thought provoking. I felt the themes were handled well and I thought it was quite anI enjoyed this film, mainly in terms of the way it showed a real media circus descend on the kidnapped police officer via the hostage takers on the road. There are some amusing moments and its also thought provoking. I felt the themes were handled well and I thought it was quite an entertaining film. Given its based on a true story, I found it a particularly intriguing watch. Goldie Hawn does particularly well in her role as the mother of the young child she fears will be permanently adopted. I thought it was interesting to see a film directed by Steven Spielberg thats as old as this (it was released in 1974). I would definitely recommend this film. Also, just before the credits we see text on screen that explains what happened after the events depicted in the film, which is nice to know.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Broyax

Dec 29, 2016

Voilà un Spielberg assez méconnu mais qui vaut assurément le détour et le coup d'oeil. Ce n'est certes pas Duel mais ça se passe (encore) sur la route tandis que l'ambiance fait penser au Convoi de Peckinpah, avec une ambiance quelque peu drolatique par son ironie sur la force des forces deVoilà un Spielberg assez méconnu mais qui vaut assurément le détour et le coup d'oeil. Ce n'est certes pas Duel mais ça se passe (encore) sur la route tandis que l'ambiance fait penser au Convoi de Peckinpah, avec une ambiance quelque peu drolatique par son ironie sur la force des forces de l'ordre, leurs bagnoles, leurs flingues... et leurs chapeaux !

Evidemment, ça se passe au Texas, état où non seulement les flics sont nerveux mais au sein duquel se trimballent des bouseux avec leurs fusils, des bouseux qui n'aiment certes pas les communistes mais leurs armes à la folie, plus dangereux que tous les flics réunis.

Bon évidemment, le film s'éternise un peu trop dans cette longue ballade routière et si la mise en scène de Spielberg s'avère efficace, elle n'est pas aussi percutante et inventive que dans son si fameux Duel ; en outre la Goldie Hawn est assez pénible à supporter, cela du début à la fin, ce qui finit par nous fatiguer.

Nonobstant ces **** impairs, Sugarland n'en reste pas moins l'un des meilleurs films du si surestimé réalisateur.… Expand

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