It's better than the 1994 remake starring Kim Basinger and husband Alec Baldwin, but this 1972 thriller relies too heavily on the low-key star power of Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw, and the stylish violence of director Sam Peckinpah, reduced here to a mechanical echo of his former glory. McQueen plays a bank robber whose wife (MacGraw) makes a deal with a Texas politician to have her husband released from prison in return for a percentage from their next big heist. But when the plan goes sour, the couple must flee to Mexico as fast as they can, with a variety of gun-wielding thugs on their trail. MacGraw was duly skewered at the time for her dubious acting ability, but the film still has a raw, unglamorous quality that lends a timeless spin to the familiar crooks-on-the-lam scenario. As always, Peckinpah rises to the occasion with some audacious scenes of action and suspense, including a memorable chase on a train that still grabs the viewer's attention. Not a great film, but a must for McQueen and Peckinpah fans. --Jeff Shannon
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: The Getaway (1972) Comment: As per Cookieman's in-depth review/analysis above I would add some anecdotes about this film I've come across in various writings. The scene of McQueen punching an hysterical Sally Struthers played so believably because apparently McQueen misjudged his punch and actually knocked out Struthers. Of course, Peckinpah continued shooting. Cookieman talks about the quiet moments before the storms as being poignant; one in particular I would characterize as brilliant: McCoy, fresh from prison, is experiencing sexual dysfunction even though he's partnered with the alluring Carol (Ali MacGraw). He tries to explain to her that being in prison "does something to you," but he is really trying to explain it to himself. He is at once angry and embarrassed, and McQueen plays it with his typically understated intensity. The scene cuts to the next morning with a close up on a pan of scrambled eggs sizzling on the burner as McCoy whistles and prepares breakfast. Brilliant. Peckinpah spares us the requisite love scene and allows us to fill it in in our imaginations, which imprint our psyches indelibly and at the same time creates a human connection between McCoy and the audience. Customer Rating: Summary: OK Peckinpah/Mc Queen...not great, not bad, but Struthers' role is offensive Comment: As an action flick, 'The Getaway' is just OK. Some good shoot-'em-up sequences, some good car chase parts, and that innovative scene where McQueen and McGraw hide out in a trash compactor. The part where McQueen slaps around McGraw after learning that she slept with the prison warden to get him out early supposedly really happened during filming, and you could tell McGraw's crying and shock is real because McQueen totally improvised the slapping. The sexual tension and love/hate feelings between the two is very apparent throughout the film.
But one thing fails to be mentioned in the other reviews I've read here. I'm not trying to be politically correct by any means, but doesn't anyone find Sally Struthers' role in this movie totally offensive ? I mean, here she is, married to a veterinarian, with both of them being forced to take in an on-the-lam hit man who is after McQueen and the bank money (Al Lettieri). And what does she do ? She washes him up, performs oral sex on him, jokes around with him while her husband is being forced to drive, has sex with him in bed in a hotel room while her husband is tied to a chair and forced to watch, and finally causes her husband to hang himself in the hotel room because of all of this. Has anyone noticed that director Peckinpah, in almost all of his films, portrays most women as evil sluts ? I mean, jeez...I've had some bad relationships but Peckinpah, he must have gotten totally burned more than once.
In any case, the film itself has a pretty standard 'bank-robbery-with-husband-and-wife-on-the-lam-and-being-pursued' plot. What keeps it interesting is Peckinpah's slow-motion violence sequences (although pretty tame here), great editing, and McQueen's always solid as a rock acting. Good supporting work here too from Slim Pickens and Ben Johnson. But the plot is somewhat predictable, McGraw is still stale as an actress, and Struthers...well, I've already explained that. 'The Getaway' is simply just an OK film. Not Peckinpah's worst by any means, but certainly nothing great or noteworthy. Customer Rating: Summary: Steve McQueen nuff said Comment: cmon this movie has it all. Sure its a little campy at times but you get to see Sally Struthers naked back when she was good looking! Okay if I didnt just gross you out, you should def buy this movie, the 94 remake was ok too. Customer Rating: Summary: Steve rides again Comment: Is a Steve McQueen movie ever bad! This is not one of his best, but he plays the part perfect. It's just a fun, action movie............not flawless, but fun. Customer Rating: Summary: One of the Best Comment: A high charged Sam Peckinpah action film with Steve McQueen as Doc McCoy and Ali MacGraw as his wife. Sprung from prison to work a heist for millionaire oilman Ben Johnson, a crooked henchman sends the whole thing into a free fall with McQueen and MacGraw trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. Also starring Slim Pickens. Steve McQueen shows just how damage one man can achieve with a pump-action .12-gauge. Forget the rancid Alec Baldwin retread. This is the one.
![The Getaway [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51R4SYNA2AL._SL160_.jpg)
