Poster for The Sugarland Express

The Sugarland Express

1974, Comedy/Drama, 1h 49m

52 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Its plot may ape the countercultural road movies of its era, but Steven Spielberg's feature debut displays many of the crowd-pleasing elements he'd refine in subsequent films. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Married small-time crooks Lou-Jean (Goldie Hawn) and Clovis Poplin (William Atherton) lose their baby to the state of Texas and resolve to do whatever it takes to get him back. Lou-Jean gets Clovis out of jail, and the two steal their son from his foster home, in addition to taking a highway patrolman hostage. As a massive dragnet starts to pursue them across Texas, the couple become unlikely folk heroes and even start to bond with the captive policeman.

Cast & Crew

Goldie Hawn
Goldie Hawn
Lou Jean Poplin
William Atherton
William Atherton
Clovis Michael Poplin
Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson
Captain Harlin Tanner
Michael Sacks
Michael Sacks
Patrolman Maxwell Slide
Gregory Walcott
Gregory Walcott
Patrolman Ernie Mashburn
Steve Kanaly
Steve Kanaly
Patrolman Jessup
Louise Latham
Louise Latham
Mrs. Looby
Harrison Zanuck
Harrison Zanuck
Baby Langston Poplin
A.L. Camp
A.L. Camp
Mr. Alvin T. Nocker
Jessie Lee Fulton
Jessie Lee Fulton
Mrs. Nocker
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Director
Hal Barwood
Hal Barwood
Screenwriter
Matthew Robbins
Matthew Robbins
Screenwriter
Richard D. Zanuck
Richard D. Zanuck
Producer
David Brown
David Brown
Producer
Vilmos Zsigmond
Vilmos Zsigmond
Cinematographer
Edward M. Abroms
Edward M. Abroms
Film Editing
Verna Fields
Verna Fields
Film Editing
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News & Interviews for The Sugarland Express

Rank Steven Spielberg’s 10 Best Movies
Rank Steven Spielberg’s 10 Best Movies
Rank Goldie Hawn’s 10 Best Movies
Rank Goldie Hawn’s 10 Best Movies
Steven Spielberg’s Best-Reviewed Movies
Steven Spielberg’s Best-Reviewed Movies
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Critic Reviews for The Sugarland Express

All Critics (52) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (45) | Rotten (7)
Full Review… Rex Reed New York Daily News Full Review… John Huddy Miami Herald Full Review… Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Full Review… Susan Stark Detroit Free Press Full Review… Elston Brooks Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com Full Review… Joe Pollack St. Louis Post-Dispatch Full Review… Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Full Review… Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… Dilys Powell Sunday Times (UK) Full Review… Stanley Eichelbaum San Francisco Examiner Full Review… Susan White Austin American-Statesman
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