Rent The Getaway (1972)

Tremendous - The Getaway review by PT

McQueen and MacGraw play Doc and Carol, husband and wife, partners in crime, a kind of modern day Bonnie and Clyde.

There is superb sexual chemistry and tension ( Carol has prostituted herself to a corrupt politician for Doc to get out of prison) between these two stars. Doc must also mastermind a robbery for this bent politician as part of the deal. Straightforward though it ain't, and double crossing occurs. The lovers head for the Mexican border, pursued by men who want to stop their little excursion by putting them to sleep permanently.

McQueen and MacGraw are superb, as is Al Lettieri as a psychopathic bad guy who you hate with a vengeance.

Excellent direction by Peckinpah. The ice cool scene with Doc walking down the street with a pump action shotgun reminded me of The Wild Bunch. Totally cool film.

Steady Action Thriller - The Getaway review by CD

I was a bit disappointed given the calibre and credentials of the actors and director.  I was also expecting a lot from the 1970s soundtrack but the music seemed to detract at times from the action.  It is all very gory and the baddies are certainly unpleasant, but the lead characters are not very likeable either and the conclusion is not very satisfying.  I prefer other Steve McQueen movies but this is still worth a watch.

Top 1970s Crime Film - The Getaway review by GI

Director Sam Peckinpah had a passion for Mexico with many of his films either set there or featuring in some way. The Getaway continues this passion as his protagonists head for freedom and bliss over the border. This is a first class 1970s American crime film and should be ranked alongside the best of the genre from this period. It has many of the themes that Peckinpah included in his major works, for example of the outlaw born in the wrong time. Here Steve McQueen is the classic American anti-hero, an outlaw whose escape from justice is the story and the drive of the narrative. He's 'Doc' McCoy, an expert bank robber who is freed from jail by a corrupt politician (Ben Johnson) and in return has to commit a heist at a small Texas bank. The robbery goes awry and faced with double cross McCoy and his wife, Carol (Ali McGraw) head off to El Paso for their final escape into Mexico. They're chased along the way by the law, the politicians henchmen and by a vengeful ex partner (Al Lettieri). The journey is not an easy one not least by the fracturing relationship between the McCoys. The climax is reached when all converge on a grubby hotel where the guns come out. Typically Peckinpah uses slow motion in the action shots especially the final shoot out although the violence is mainly restrained. The film has a great visual style and Peckinpah is a genius at character motivation drawing contradictions and violence through a poetic narrative. The film has three main flaws, firstly McQueen had final cut and allegedly utilised takes that showed him in the best light so, to my mind, there's no doubt Peckinpah would have cut the film far more interestingly; secondly McGraw is a weak actor and it really shows here, her performance lets the character down and a stronger actor would have strengthened the story, after all Carol McCoy is a violent criminal. Lastly the film has an awfully jarring music score by Quincy Jones which replaced one by Jerry Fielding, again McQueen's choice. So whilst The Getaway remains a key 70s crime film in a western frame I would love to see a Sam Peckinpah cut even despite McGraw.