The Sugarland Express (1974)

Steven Spielberg's first feature film was, in fact, a small-scale commercial flop--but good enough to earn him a shot at making his name directing Jaws. Goldie Hawn and William Atherton play a young couple who, after some bad breaks and mistakes, have their child taken away by the state of Texas. So they take the law into their own hands and take off to retrieve him, on the run from the police--lots and lots of police--all the while turning themselves into a cause célèbre. Strong filmmaking overcomes a melodramatic script; it's fledgling Spielberg, which is better than full-blown Arthur Hiller or Joel Schumacher any day. --Marshall Fine Amazon.com essential video

Surprisingly Moving

To see Goldie as not much older than a teenager is near worth the price of admission. But on top of this (and she IS cute) she puts in a GREAT performance as the lovable yet strong-willed mother of a somewhat criminal bent intent on getting her baby back. I started watching this last night and had to turn it off mid-way to go to bed. There were some moments in the middle there which could be described as *long*. However, this morning I threw it on again for the second hour and was not in the least bored. Far from it, I was very impressed, moved even, by the story and the actors performances. Good camera work too, if you're paying attention. This one's worth the watch - it's Spielberg! March 27, 2008

Astonishing debut film.

Keep an eye out for this director, he's sure to go on to do great things.

:) February 6, 2008

Early Spielberg...Brilliant Spielberg

Before there was a blockbuster, before there was Jaws (30th Anniversary Edition) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition), there ws The Sugarland Express. Spielberg's first full-length motion feature. He previously directed the TV movie Duel (Collector's Edition) and few TV show episodes, but this is what really got him attention. He showed that he could develop and direct a full-length motion picture.

The movie itself is and uproarious hoot. Goldie Hawn stars in this true story about a women who breaks her husband out of jail to get their son back. It is one of the best technical low budget movies and such a sincere and fun movie. One of Spielberg's highly underrated and best.

The DVD doesn't feature much in the way of extra features but the movie on DVD is enough.

Highly recommended. September 21, 2007

Oldie but a Goldie

Goldie Hawn was often so giddy and spaced out in her earliest roles that it bordered on "just too silly", but she is sweet, almost luminous in this role. It's a chase movie, but it's really not as much a chase as a controlled odessey across Texas in a long gone time. All major characters perform their tasks well and Ben Johnson has to be the most convincing Chief of Texas State Troopers ever. Not a deep movie, but great fun to watch. And Goldie and Atherton evoke real pathos with their plight. An excellent beginning for one who would become one of our most esteemed directors. April 29, 2007

A Good Movie!.

I first saw The Sugarland Express when I was eight years old and I liked this movie and I enjoyed the chase scenes and the acting from the entire cast was good especially Goldie Hawn and I highly recommend this movie! October 16, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...