Scarecrow (1973)

Max, an ex-con drifter with a penchant for brawling is amused by Lion, a homeless ex-sailor, and they partner up as they head east together.

Director:

Jerry Schatzberg

Writer:

Garry Michael White

Stars:

Gene Hackman, Al Pacino, Dorothy Tristan

4 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gene Hackman	...	Max
Al Pacino	...	Lion
Dorothy Tristan	...	Coley
Ann Wedgeworth	...	Frenchy
Richard Lynch	...	Riley
Eileen Brennan	...	Darlene
Penelope Allen	...	Annie (as Penny Allen)
Richard Hackman	...	Mickey
Al Cingolani	...	Skipper
Rutanya Alda	...	Woman in camper

Storyline

Max is an ex-con who's been saving money to open a car wash in Pittsburgh. Lionel is a sailor who's returning home to the midwest to see the child born while he was at sea. They form an unlikely pair as the brawling Max learns a little how Lionel copes with the world: Lionel believes that the scarecrow doesn't scare birds, but instead amuses them - birds find scare-crows funny.

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Plot Keywords:

car wash | ex sailor | ex convict | prison | road movie | 

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Taglines:

John D. Rockefeller. J.P. Morgan. Andrew Carnegie. Max and Lion.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Almost 20 years after the release of this film, its leads Al Pacino and Gene Hackman would go on to earn Oscars in the Lead and Supporting Actor categories in 1993- Pacino for Scent of a Woman (1992) and Hackman (his second Oscar, after The French Connection (1971)) for Unforgiven (1992). In addition, Pacino was also nominated for his supporting role that same year for Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), thereby making him a competitor to his costar in this film.

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Quotes

Max Millan: For every car, there is dirt.

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Connections

Referenced in Interior. Leather Bar. (2013)

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Soundtracks

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
(uncredited)
Written by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, and Jerry Wexler
Performed by Aretha Franklin

User Reviews

an overlooked masterpiece

This excellent movie has been overlooked for too long. Its a great film on every level. It is entertaining as well as deeply profound. Schatzberg's directing is outstanding, Hackman and Pacino deliver acting on a level rarely found in any films, and the script is funny, while retaining a quiet note of tension and melancholy throughout. Its an exceptional film, largely overlooked by American audiences in the years since its release (despite winning the grand prize at Cannes, as well as the acting prize for Hackman and Pacino).

Don't overlook this film. Rent it!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 April 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Scarecrow

Filming Locations:

539 West 43rd Avenue, Denver, Colorado, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$9,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1