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Vanishing Point

Play trailer Poster for Vanishing Point R 1971 1h 39m Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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65% Tomatometer 72 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Vietnam War hero Kowalski (Barry Newman) has become a pill-addicted driver for hire. Transporting a car from Colorado to California, he enlivens the journey by making a wager with his drug dealer: If the trip takes under 15 hours, Kowalski's latest amphetamine purchase is free. But Kowalski's recklessness on the road results in a much-publicized police chase. Radio jock Super Soul (Cleavon Little) covers the pursuit and turns Kowalski, who refuses to pull over, into a martyr for freedom.
Vanishing Point

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Vanishing Point hurtles forward as a hypnotic chase film whose existential script, striking visuals, and raw velocity keep it gripping even as its indulgences and narrative gaps veer it toward the uneven.

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Audience Says

A pedal-to-the-metal ride and a love letter to muscle cars, Vanishing Point is heavy on existentialism and light on story, but still leaves a satisfying dust trail in its wake.

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Critics Reviews

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Sight & Sound Staff Sight & Sound Feb 5
Irretrievably marred by explanatory flashbacks. Go to Full Review Judith Crist New York Magazine/Vulture Feb 5
A 100-minute commercial for a Dodge Challenger. Go to Full Review Alexander Walker London Evening Standard Feb 5
I must confess that I am impressed by the film without actually liking it. Go to Full Review Phoenix Staff Boston Phoenix Feb 5
Mythic in its structure, with spectacular photography and music, it has an air of mystery that lifts it far above others of its ilk. Go to Full Review Christopher Hudson The Spectator Feb 5
The Thirty-Nine Steps formula of a man pitting his wits against the law in a chase across open country is nearly always gripping, and the fine photography here, even of the Utah and Nevada flatlands, makes the chase well worth watching. Go to Full Review Adrian Turner Radio Times Feb 5
3/5
It has little of Easy Rider's low-budget magic but Newman is suitably charismatic as the driven driver. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Carl G @CarlGemayel Feb 8 "Vanishing Point" is a film directed by Richard C. Sarafian starring Barry Newman, Cleavon Little and Dean Jagger the three of them in career defining performances. "Vanishing Point", from the first watch became one of my favorite films of all time. Every aspect of it is perfectly done. The cinematography for this film by John A. Alonzo has some of my favorite shots in cinema history. The acting is impeccable. Each actor delivered a very solid performance. The directing is on point, especially that the film is action packed with very little dialogue. THE ACTION SEQUENCES! What can I say about them? And the SOUNDTRACK! The film contains perfect songs that match the film's vibe and atmosphere! I loved the way we learn about Kowalski's (Barry Newman) story by flashbacks during the action packed sequences. And the ending is a classic 60s and 70s american film ending that Ioved! Overall a great film that I'll be watching many times in my life! See more Glenn B @Glenn1950 Jan 15 You have taste only in your mouth if you didn't like this movie. See more jonathan A @RT93055276 Sep 27 incredible and worth a watch for any true movie fan See more Mark B @Thelaser555 Sep 23 Steve McQueen or Clint Eastwood would have made this a half decent movie. Instead, Barry Newman, who looks like a geography teacher whose been given the keys to his mate's sports car, blunders onwards on some self-inflicted guilt trip and needlessly kills himself in the process. This movie has nothing to do with a car chase. More the inner demons of a solitary loser whose given up on life. See more Liam D @Mediawatcher2003 12/28/2024 A true old school car chase movie. It has great sequences of action even though the movie doesn’t have a compelling plot or characters See more Sams K @RT65506530 08/22/2024 Badass! A must watch. See more Read all reviews
Vanishing Point

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Cast & Crew

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Richard C. Sarafian

Director

Barry Newman

Kowalski

Cleavon Little

Super Soul

Charlotte Rampling

Hitchhiker

Dean Jagger

Prospector

Victoria Medlin

Vera Thornton

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Vanishing Point

Vanishing Point (1971) Vanishing Point (1971) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Vietnam War hero Kowalski (Barry Newman) has become a pill-addicted driver for hire. Transporting a car from Colorado to California, he enlivens the journey by making a wager with his drug dealer: If the trip takes under 15 hours, Kowalski's latest amphetamine purchase is free. But Kowalski's recklessness on the road results in a much-publicized police chase. Radio jock Super Soul (Cleavon Little) covers the pursuit and turns Kowalski, who refuses to pull over, into a martyr for freedom.
Director
Richard C. Sarafian
Producer
Norman Spencer
Screenwriter
Guillermo Cabrera Infante
Production Co
Cupid Productions Inc.
Rating
R
Genre
Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 15, 1971, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Feb 6, 2007
Runtime
1h 39m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)