6.8/10
12,605
61 user 57 critic

The Sugarland Express (1974)

PG | | Crime, Drama | 12 June 1974 (France)
A woman attempts to reunite her family by helping her husband escape prison and together kidnapping their son. But things don't go as planned when they are forced to take a police hostage on the road.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay), (screenplay) | 3 more credits »

On Disc

at Amazon

1 win & 3 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
...
Mashburn
...
Officer Ernie Jessup
...
Mrs. Looby
Harrison Zanuck ...
Baby Langston
A.L. Camp ...
...
...
Russ Berry
Ted Grossman ...
Dietz
...
Hunter
Kenneth Hudgins ...
Standby #1
Buster Daniels ...
Buster Daniels - Drunk (as Buster Danials)
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Storyline

Lou-Jean, a blonde woman, tells her husband, who is imprisoned, to escape. They plan to kidnap their own child, who was placed with foster parents. The escape is partly successful, they take a hostage, who is a policeman and are pursued through to Texas... Written by Kornel Osvart <kornelo@alphanet.hu>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

A girl with a great following. See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

12 June 1974 (France)  »

Also Known As:

Carte Blanche  »

Filming Locations:

 »

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Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,500,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,800,000
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Unable to find a child who looked like he might be the offspring of Goldie Hawn and William Atherton to portray Baby Langston, co-producer Richard D. Zanuck cast his own son Harrison Zanuck, whose mother is Linda Harrison of Planet of the Apes (1968) fame. See more »

Goofs

While the Border Patrol's purpose is indeed to protect the United States against illegal entry and not vice-versa, they are still a law enforcement agency that can be called upon to assist other state or federal agencies (as depicted in the film) to prevent wanted felons fleeing the United States jurisdiction during a pursuit. This has happened numerous times in reality and as such they are completely justified in firing at Clovis's car during their attempted escape. See more »

Quotes

Maxwell Slide: Is your name Buster Daniels?
Drunk: Well, it was before I married.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Snatched (2017) See more »

Soundtracks

When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold
Written by Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan
Sung by William Atherton, Goldie Hawn and Michael Sacks
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Early Goldie, early Spielberg, both first-rate...
22 April 2001 | by See all my reviews

Petty crook is busted out of pre-release jail by his determined-yet-reckless wife; seems their infant son has been farmed out to a wealthy foster couple while the two were behind bars and the Mrs. wants her baby back now. Director Steven Spielberg's first theatrical film has a scene midway through that still takes my breath away: Goldie Hawn and William Atherton take refuge in a mobile home parked in a lot behind a drive-in movie theater, a cartoon is up on the screen and Atherton supplies the sound effects--but, as the cartoon descends into violence, he stares out the window while his wife giggles on, oblivious to the parallels between the film and the paths their lives have taken. It's a miraculous moment in a high-spirited comedy-drama about trying to get what you want--even at the expense of the law. I'm surprised most Spielberg fans turn their noses up at this movie, it's one of his best. The finale doesn't really work (the picture switches gears too many times and eventually leaves us eating dust), but Goldie Hawn's performance is brave and funny and wonderful. In fact all the acting is excellent, right down to the last two-line player. *** from ****


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