Steven Spielberg in Malickland, with dolly and zoom and a wagonload of familial issues
The Sugarland Express (1974)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:24
Fresh:22
Rotten:2
Average Rating:7.2/10
Synopsis: Shot in 1974, THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS was made by Steven Spielberg just one year before he rose to international fame with JAWS. Following in the footsteps of Terrence Malick's 1973 tale of lovers on... Shot in 1974, THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS was made by Steven Spielberg just one year before he rose to international fame with JAWS. Following in the footsteps of Terrence Malick's 1973 tale of lovers on the run, BADLANDS, Spielberg's film centers on the exploits of Lou Jean (Goldie Hawn) and Clovis Poplin (William Atherton). After Clovis escapes from prison, the two head off in pursuit of their child, whom they have been forced to give up to an adoption agency. Mayhem breaks out at they take a state trooper hostage along the way, with Spielberg neatly guiding the movie to a turbulent, yet satisfying conclusion. Only 28 years old at the time of shooting, Spielberg had directed plenty of TV movies prior to THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS, but this was the feature film that kick-started his glittering career. [More]
Starring: Goldie Hawn, Ben Johnson, William Atherton, Michael Sacks
Starring: Goldie Hawn, Ben Johnson, William Atherton, Michael Sacks, Gregory Walcott, Steve Kanaly, Jessie Lee Fulton
Director: Steven Spielberg
Director: Steven Spielberg
Composer: John Williams
Producer: Richard D. Zanuck, David Brown
Story: Steven Spielberg
Reviews for The Sugarland Express
Reflecting the zeitgeist of mid-1970s America, this early Spieleberg picture is still one of his strongest, dealing with alienation, anarchy, and lack of control; Goldie Hawn gives an uncharacteristicaly forceful dramatic performance.
One of the most purely fun and slyly political films Spielberg has ever made. One of Hawn's best performances.
[W]ould be mostly forgotten melodrama if it hadn’t been directed by a kid named Steven Spielberg...
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.
Features real attention to the sort of character dynamics that would serve subsequent [Spielberg] titles.
a fine example of the fugitives-on-the-run genre, holding its own alongside Thelma and Louise, Bandits, The Defiant Ones, and to a lesser extent Badlands and Bonnie and Clyde
Latest News for The Sugarland Express
May 16, 2008:
Steven Spielberg's Ten Best-Directed Films
RT counts down the ten best-reviewed films directed by Indiana Jones helmer and modern moviemaking legend, Steven Spielberg. More...
More Movies
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 70% 70% | Where the Wild Things Are | 03/12 |
| 83% 83% | Paranormal Activity | 03/12 |
| 89% 89% | Zombieland | 03/12 |
| 76% 76% | The Informant! | 03/12 |
| | The Strength of Water | 03/12 |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Sugarland Express at Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Links
Featured

Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.

Double passes up for grabs to the new comedy starring Paul Giamatti.

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions

Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser

Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.

We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection



Top Critic

