The Sugarland Express

The Sugarland Express

Crime • PG • 1974 • 1 hr 50 min

6.5

6.8

Married small-time crooks Lou-Jean and Clovis Poplin lose their baby to the state of Texas and resolve to do whatever it takes to get him back. Lou-Jean gets Clovis out of jail, and the two steal their son from his foster home, in addition to taking a highway patrolman hostage. As a massive dragnet starts to pursue them across Texas, the couple become unlikely folk heroes and even start to bond with the captive policeman.

Starring

Goldie Hawn, William Atherton, Ben Johnson, Michael Sacks, Gregory Walcott

Directed By

Steven Spielberg

Written By

Hal Barwood, Matthew Robbins

Attributes

Genre

Crime Drama Comedy

Release Date

March 31, 1974

User Reviews

Dark fare for Speilberg. Funny at times, unsettling at others.

Really this is just Spielbs showing how weird Texas is. Bit of that 70s nihilism mixed with Spielbergian romanticism. Funnier than I thought

An Engaging Wild Ride From Start to Finish 8/10

Alan.John.Gerstle

Interesting, intense murderers on the loose story. Best of early Speilberg--unlike his sappy films. Goldie Hawn in non-comedic role.

Slow paced and intimate, doesn't look like any Spielberg's film (but a lot of others)

Reminds me of a Coen brothers movie… I know it precedes their work but it does 🤷🏼‍♀️ Bonnie & Clyde meets Raising Arizona.

Forgotten Spielberg film is… ok? Never been a huge Goldie Hawk fan so… and even when executed well, the road heist film isn’t my favorite.

Tyler Edwin Nestor

Great movie for a beginner (at the time) like Spielberg. Even if Duel is still technically his cinematic directorial debut.

Rick Anthony McArthur

Figured I'd C this as it got put on TV recently, being a Spielberg & starring Goldie, but it wasn't worth it, as both their worst movie in 1

This has the burden of being in Jaws’ shadow. Not Spielberg’s best, but it’s a hidden gem in his filmography. Certainly relevant today.

Stats

Ratings

6.5 – Based on 166 ratings

Attributes

Watch With

Trailer

Theatrical Trailer