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IMDbPro

Taking Off

  • 1971
  • R
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
Taking Off (1971)
ComedyDramaMusic

While searching for their runaway teenage daughter, the parents rediscover life's joys as they get acquainted with a self-help group for parents of vanished children.While searching for their runaway teenage daughter, the parents rediscover life's joys as they get acquainted with a self-help group for parents of vanished children.While searching for their runaway teenage daughter, the parents rediscover life's joys as they get acquainted with a self-help group for parents of vanished children.

  • Director
    • Milos Forman
  • Writers
    • Milos Forman
    • John Guare
    • Jean-Claude Carrière
  • Stars
    • Lynn Carlin
    • Buck Henry
    • Georgia Engel
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    4.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Milos Forman
    • Writers
      • Milos Forman
      • John Guare
      • Jean-Claude Carrière
    • Stars
      • Lynn Carlin
      • Buck Henry
      • Georgia Engel
    • 27User reviews
    • 29Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 6 BAFTA Awards
      • 2 wins & 9 nominations total

    Photos90

    Milos Forman and Miroslav Ondrícek at an event for Taking Off (1971)
    Taking Off (1971)
    Taking Off (1971)
    Taking Off (1971)
    Taking Off (1971)
    Taking Off (1971)
    Taking Off (1971)
    Taking Off (1971)
    Taking Off (1971)
    Taking Off (1971)
    Linnea Heacock in Taking Off (1971)
    Buck Henry in Taking Off (1971)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lynn Carlin
    Lynn Carlin
    • Lynn Tyne
    Buck Henry
    Buck Henry
    • Larry Tyne
    Georgia Engel
    Georgia Engel
    • Margot
    Tony Harvey
    Tony Harvey
    • Tony
    Audra Lindley
    Audra Lindley
    • Ann Lockston
    Paul Benedict
    Paul Benedict
    • Ben Lockston
    Vincent Schiavelli
    Vincent Schiavelli
    • Schiavelli
    David Gittler
    David Gittler
    • Jamie
    Ike Turner
    • Self
    • (as The Ike and Tina Turner Revue)
    Tina Turner
    Tina Turner
    • Self
    • (as The Ike and Tina Turner Revue)
    Linnea Heacock
    Linnea Heacock
    • Jeannie Tyne
    Rae Allen
    Rae Allen
    • Mrs. Divito
    Frank Berle
    • Committee Man
    Philip Bruns
    Philip Bruns
    • Policeman
    • (as Phillip Bruns)
    Gail Busman
    Gail Busman
    • Nancy Lockston
    Corinna Cristobal
    Corinna Cristobal
    • Corinna Divito
    Barry Del Rae
    • Schuyler
    Robert Dryden
    • Dr. Bronson
    • Director
      • Milos Forman
    • Writers
      • Milos Forman
      • John Guare
      • Jean-Claude Carrière
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After the success of Easy Rider (1969), Universal Studios hit upon the idea to let young filmmakers make "semi-independent" films for low budgets in hopes of generating similar profits. The idea was to make five movies for low budgets ($1 million or less), not interfere in the filmmaking process, and give the directors final cut. The other movies were: The Hired Hand (1971), The Last Movie (1971), Silent Running (1972), Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970), Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) and Minnie and Moskowitz (1971).
    • Quotes

      Schiavelli: Any other questions?

      Ben Lockston: Uh, yes, uh, I think we all had, uh, drinks with, uh, dinner, uh... dope and, uh, the alcohol... mix?

      Schiavelli: Oh, *they'll mix*.

    • Connections
      Featured in Before 'Taking Off': Milos Forman's Road to America (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Air
      Performed by The Incredible String Band

      Elektra Records

      Composed by Mike Heron, Paradox Music

    User reviews27

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Underrated gem.
    Milos Forman's first American release is part social satire, part farcical look at two morose, middle-class parents (Buck Henry, Lynn Carlin, both outstanding)

    who begin to enjoy life only after their teenage daughter (sad-eyed Linnea

    Heacock) runs away. At once funny and touching, Forman and veteran Bunuel

    collaborator Jean-Claude Carriere ("Belle du Jour," "Diary of a Chambermaid") concoct a simple story of unexpected depth, a wry comedy that unfolds

    gradually, gently lampooning marriage and family life while painting a sensitive portrait of the confused, disenfranchised youth scene of the 1960s. Forman

    regular Vincent Schiavelli makes his debut here as a bell-bottomed marijuana

    "expert," who carefully instructs a banquet hall full of clueless parents in the fine art of getting high. A young Kathy Bates and a spirited Carly Simon appear

    briefly singing at a theatrical audition, while Georgia Engel and Audra Lindley turn in subtle, nuanced performances several years before their television

    debuts on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Three's Company," respectively.

    A beautifully observed, underrated gem.
    helpful•14
    8
    • jt1999
    • Jul 17, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 28, 1971 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • S.P.F.C.
    • Filming locations
      • Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Crown-Hausman
      • Forman Production
      • Renn Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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