IMDb > Badlands (1973)
Badlands
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 19 | slideshow)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   14,839 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 21% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Terrence Malick (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Badlands on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 April 1975 (Sweden) more
Tagline:
He was 25 years old. He combed his hair like James Dean. She was 15. She took music lessons and could twirl a baton. For a while they lived together in a tree house. In 1959, she watched while he killed a lot of people. more
Plot:
Dramatization of the Starkweather-Fugate killing spree of the 1950's, in which a teenage girl and her twenty-something boyfriend slaughtered her entire family and several others in the Dakota badlands. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 wins more
NewsDesk:
(18 articles)
Linka Linka-Ma, GaGa Link La La
 (From FilmExperience. 20 December 2009, 7:58 AM, PST)

The New World: a masterpiece?
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 10 December 2009, 2:45 PM, PST)

User Reviews:
Meditative view of life, love, and death by Terrence Malick more (126 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Martin Sheen ... Kit

Sissy Spacek ... Holly
Warren Oates ... Father
Ramon Bieri ... Cato
Alan Vint ... Deputy
Gary Littlejohn ... Sheriff
John Carter ... Rich Man
Bryan Montgomery ... Boy
Gail Threlkeld ... Girl
Charles Fitzpatrick ... Clerk
Howard Ragsdale ... Boss
John Womack Jr. ... Trooper
Dona Baldwin ... Maid
Ben Bravo ... Gas attendant
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
94 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Singapore:PG | Australia:PG | UK:15 (re-rating) (2008) | UK:18 (video rating) | Australia:M (DVD rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Finland:K-15 (re-rating) (2003) | Finland:K-16 (re-rating) (1987) | Ireland:15 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:16 | Finland:K-18 (1980) | Portugal:M/16 (DVD rating) | UK:X (original rating)
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Badlands (1973) received a place in the film reference book "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die". more
Goofs:
Continuity: At one point Mr Sargis is painting a sign while talking to Kit. As the scene progresses the area he's working on becomes painted .. then unpainted .. then painted again. more
Quotes:
Kit Carruthers: I'll give you a dollar if you eat this collie. more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
15 out of 19 people found the following review useful.
Meditative view of life, love, and death by Terrence Malick, 8 November 2003
10/10
Author: MisterWhiplash from United States

Badlands, based on the relationship between Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate (and later an inspiration for Tarantino's True Romance and NBK), never has a moment where something un-realistic curries. Writer/producer/director Terence Malick leads his film along with a true emphasis on both the psychological nature of Kit (Martin Sheen) and Holly (Sissy Spacek), and with the un-canny knack for a relaxing style in his camera. At best, Badlands is one of the successful homages to European cinema of the 1970's, something that will last a long time due to its pairing of absorbing art-house and (perhaps) mainstream sensibilities. At worst, a viewer could feel bored with Malick's intent on running with his poetic ideas as a director. If there was any pretentiousness at all, it went over my head; this is a film that draws you into its tragic nature.

Sheen and Spacek are totally believable as a couple on the run, as Kit continually has a trigger-happy attitude to people after he shoots Holly's father. While Spacek holds the heart of the picture steady, I'd have to say that Sheen's Kit is one of his best performances. He comes off in the perfect sense- you wouldn't think for a second that Kit could be a killer, that is until he pulls out his pistol. It works just as well that Holly is the narrator, so that the viewer can understand where Kit's coming from, and where he's going. If there is any distance between his character and the audience, there's still a strong, emotional connection through Spacek, and their bond as a loving, if dangerous, couple.

Overall, Badlands is extraordinary in a way that doesn't cram its atmospheric from start to finish on the audience, and it looks at young people in love, however in such twisted circumstances, in an honest way in how escalatory events create a disillusioned feeling in youth. That it's made on such a low budget gives it more merit. Kudos should go to the musical score by James Taylor, Gunild Keetman and George Tipton, too; it's one of the best debuts of the 70's. A+

Was the above review useful to you?
more (126 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Badlands (1973)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Terrence Malick should sue Oliver Stone LRonCupboard
Whats your favorite scene? Badlands1
My Favorite Movie Ever Sleeth1
The Music SarahConnor
Most Disturbing/Haunting Scenes Kennybee
Holly the Psychopath Kennybee
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Wild at Heart Freeway The Fugitive Down in the Valley Wonderland
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Adventure section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.