THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS (1974) C widescreen 109m dir: Steven Spielberg

w/Goldie Hawn, Ben Johnson, Michael Sachs, William Atherton, Gregory Walcott, Steve Kanaly, Louise Latham, Harrison Zanuck, A.L. Camp, Jessie Lee Fulton

From The Movie Guide: "This is Steven Spielberg's first effort at the helm in feature filmmaking (the earlier DUEL being a made-for-TV movie), and it contains much of the raw sense of adventure (though without the technical gadgetry) that would make his later films so popular and such good clean fun. After his success with THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS, he went on to direct the highly profitable, beloved, and much-imitated JAWS in 1975. Based on a true story, this film features Hawn playing a woman who helps her husband, Atherton, escape from prison. She needs him to join her in the fight against forces who want to put her child up for adoption. What ensues is one long chase across America's highways. Throughout the film, more and more police, and the media, want in on the action. Spielberg exhibits that he still had a bit to learn in the world of filmmaking. The film moves well and never loses its gripping tension, but the lighthearted tone of the beginning takes a dive into an abyss that shocks many viewers. With this role, Hawn proves she was an actress of some talent and not just an attractive woman to be taken lightly."