The Getaway

Name: The Getaway
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Released: December 13, 1972
Duration: 123 min
Rating: 55
Cast: Al Lettieri, Ali MacGraw, Ben Johnson, Bo Hopkins, Dub Taylor

1972

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Mixed or average reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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The Getaway

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Movie Details & Credits

Fida Cinematografica | Release Date: December 13, 1972 | PG

Starring: Al Lettieri, Ali MacGraw, Ben Johnson, Bo Hopkins, Dub Taylor, Jack Dodson, Richard Bright, Sally Struthers, Slim Pickens, Steve McQueen

Summary: A recently released ex-con and his loyal wife go on the run after a heist goes awry.

Director: Sam Peckinpah

Genre(s): Action, Thriller, Crime

Rating: PG

Runtime: 123 min

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Critic Reviews

Noel Murray

Brutal but hugely entertaining. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Peckinpah's own control of the escalating frenzy is masterly; this is one of his coldest films, but a great thriller. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

This violent film, typical of Peckinpah's slam-bang action movies, relentlessly depicts ruthless robbery and murder, not to mention adultery, kidnaping, bribery, extortion, and general mayhem. The vivid direction and lightning pace, however, make the film completely fascinating. Read full review

Empire Jessica Mellor

Intense direction (Pekinpah) coupled with assured acting (McQueen). Read full review

Roger Ebert

Sam Peckinpah's The Getaway is a big, glossy, impersonal mechanical toy. It's like one of those devices for executive desks, with the stainless steel balls on the strings: It functions with great efficiency but doesn't accomplish anything. Read full review

Pauline Kael

Sam Peckinpah directed in imitation of Sam Peckinpah; it's a mechanical job, embellished with a vivacious, erotic subplot involving Al Lettieri and Sally Struthers.

Vincent Canby

The action and the violence of The Getaway are supported by no particular themes whatsoever. The movie just unravels. Read full review

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bibibobby

Dec 26, 2020

The Getaway is a 1972 American action thriller film based on the 1958 novel by Jim Thompson. The film was directed by Sam Peckinpah, written by Walter Hill, and stars Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw, Ben Johnson, Al Lettieri, and Sally Struthers. The plot follows imprisoned mastermind robberThe Getaway is a 1972 American action thriller film based on the 1958 novel by Jim Thompson. The film was directed by Sam Peckinpah, written by Walter Hill, and stars Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw, Ben Johnson, Al Lettieri, and Sally Struthers. The plot follows imprisoned mastermind robber Carter "Doc" McCoy (McQueen), whose wife Carol (MacGraw) conspires for his release on the condition they rob a bank in Texas. A double-cross follows the crime and the McCoys are forced to flee for Mexico with the police and criminals in hot pursuit.

Peter Bogdanovich, whose The Last Picture Show impressed McQueen and producer David Foster, was originally hired as the director of The Getaway. Thompson came on board to write the screenplay, but creative differences ensued between him and McQueen and he was subsequently fired along with Bogdanovich. Writing and directing duties eventually went to Hill and Peckinpah, respectively. Principal photography commenced on February 7, 1972, on location in Texas. The film reunited McQueen and Peckinpah, both of whom had previously worked together on the relatively unprofitable Junior Bonner which was released the same year.

The Getaway premiered on December 13, 1972. Despite the negative reviews it received upon release, numerous retrospective critics gave the film good reviews. A box office hit earning over $36 million, it was the eighth highest-grossing film of 1972, and was one of the most financially successful productions of Peckinpah's and McQueen's careers. A remake starring Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger was released in 1994.… Expand

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VicFerrari

Nov 23, 2022

Well crafted but amoral action film that is difficult to engage with as the protagonists are so blank and there are no consequences for their actions. There's a largely irrelevant subplot about some despicable characters that serves only to make the 'heroes' look appealing by contrast. SeeWell crafted but amoral action film that is difficult to engage with as the protagonists are so blank and there are no consequences for their actions. There's a largely irrelevant subplot about some despicable characters that serves only to make the 'heroes' look appealing by contrast. See 'Bonnie and Clyde' for a film about bank robbers that has sympathetic characters without glossing over their actions. Bizarre soundtrack that plays like a tv-cop show. Moves at a brisk clip but goes nowhere.… Expand

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