The Sugarland Express (1974)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Goldie Hawn, William Atherton, Ben Johnson, Michael Sacks

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.

Based on a true story, ‘The Sugarland Express’ revolves around Lou Jean (Goldie Hawn) and Clovis (William Atherton) going on a cross-country chase to prevent their son from going to a foster home.

With Lou Jean having been in prison and her husband Clovis still incarcerated, their son is about to be given to foster parents. She convinces Clovis to escape, and they hitch a ride with an elderly couple. When they are pulled over by state trooper Maxwell Slide (Michael Sacks), they steal the car. Pursued by Maxwell, Lou Jean crashes the car, upon which they take Maxwell’s cop car, taking him hostage.

With a big police convoy following Lou Jean and Clovis, there’s plenty of action and car chases. Although dealing with a serious matter, ‘The Sugarland Express’ is a lighthearted telling of actual events (but not entirely comedy). The action and shootouts are destined to keep you on the edge of your seat, while still having plenty of fun.

There were moments when I thought some of the characters made strange decisions, but in general this is a very entertaining film and well worth the watch. Goldie Hawn delivers a very good performance, and Steven Spielberg did an excellent job bringing the story to life, already cementing him as one of the greatest directors.

‘The Sugarland Express’ earned $12 million on a budget of $ 3 million.

Would I watch it again? Yes.