The 84% RT Steve McQueen Crime Classic That Defined a Generation Still Holds Up 53 Years Later

by

The 1970s are well-known as the decade that launched the careers of directors like Spielberg, Coppola, and Scorsese, and actors such as Pacino, De Niro, and Redford. However, that doesn’t overshadow the continued success of established stars. Actors like Paul Newman and Steve McQueen consistently delivered excellent performances throughout the ’70s as well.

Sam Peckinpah was a major Hollywood director known for his striking Westerns, thrillers, and crime films, many of which are still celebrated today. A smart move for Peckinpah was choosing to film a classic crime novel and casting Steve McQueen in the lead role. The result, The Getaway, is a fantastic crime film that deserves wider recognition.

The Getaway Features One of the Most Thrilling Crime Stories of the ’70s

Based on the Jim Thompson novel, The Getaway follows a newly released prisoner who must rob a bank to repay a crime boss who secured his freedom. Steve McQueen stars as a cool and collected character, joined by Ali MacGraw and veteran actors like Ben Johnson and Slim Pickens.

Steve McQueen stars as Carter ‘Doc’ McCoy, a man who, along with his wife Carol, plans a daring bank heist hoping to steal $750,000. They assemble a crew to help, but when the robbery doesn’t go as planned, Doc and Carol must think on their feet to escape and protect themselves.

Full of unexpected turns and thrilling action, The Getaway is a story about fighting to survive and the power of love. The film focuses on Doc and Carol, a couple whose relationship is strained and who question if they can make things work after facing numerous challenges. This emotional core drives the film, and director Peckinpah skillfully uses the story’s themes to mirror the characters’ experiences.

Viewers are invested in Doc and Carol’s relationship, but also grapple with the difficult choices they make. After a robbery goes wrong, the couple flees with the stolen money, leaving their accomplices behind. This sets them on a desperate run, both to escape with the money and to evade those who are hunting them.

The couple is constantly on the run, pursued by both criminals and the authorities due to Doc’s reputation. These dangerous circumstances put a strain on their relationship. The story isn’t simply a chase, though; it’s about Doc and Carol making one last, dramatic escape – a final adventure filled with romance, action, and a chance to leave their life of crime behind for good.

The Getaway stands out as a stylish and thrilling film because it blends classic heist movie tropes with influences from modern crime films and even Westerns. This unique combination makes it a standout of 1970s cinema.

The Getaway Is Still One Of Sam Peckinpah’s Best Movies

As a film buff, I always debate where The Getaway lands in Steve McQueen’s filmography – it’s good, but maybe not his best. However, what’s undeniable is that it’s a standout film for Sam Peckinpah. He was a director famous for his gritty, violent, and visually striking action – think slow motion used to really emphasize the impact – and 1972’s The Getaway is truly one of his masterpieces.

Many consider The Getaway to be one of Sam Peckinpah’s best films, and it’s widely loved. Beyond its stylish visuals, the movie is genuinely entertaining and expertly builds suspense. It steadily increases the stakes as the McCoys face each obstacle, culminating in a thrilling final twenty minutes.

Sam Peckinpah’s style is ideally suited to the intense events in The Getaway, and it’s more than just the film’s realistic depiction of crime. With this movie, Peckinpah not only demonstrates his skill at directing crime thrillers, but also solidifies his place as a truly unique action director in film history.

Sam Peckinpah revolutionized action movies, influencing countless filmmakers who followed. He was known for his groundbreaking style, using techniques like fast cuts, slow motion, and complex symbolism – elements rarely seen in films before the 1970s. His work is considered a landmark in Westerns and encouraged a new generation of directors to push creative boundaries, building on the innovations he pioneered.

As a huge fan, I think Peckinpah really hit his stride with this 1972 film. He took everything he learned from Westerns and applied it to a modern story about a world outside the law, and it’s just massive in scope. But what really makes it special is the combination of Peckinpah’s gritty style and Steve McQueen’s incredible presence – they create this iconic feeling that you just don’t see anywhere else.

Just because a movie has a strong story and ambition doesn’t guarantee everything else will fall into place, but The Getaway truly succeeds on all fronts. Though it doesn’t follow Jim Thompson’s novel exactly, this 1972 film is a hidden gem – a fantastic crime thriller that often gets lost in the shuffle of more famous ’70s movies. Fans of Sam Peckinpah and the crime genre are likely to find a new favorite in The Getaway.

There Have Been Multiple Versions Of The Getaway Over the Years

It’s surprising to learn that The Getaway has been adapted for film so many times. The story began as a Jim Thompson novel in 1958, but it took years to reach the big screen. The first movie adaptation came out in 1972, and it wasn’t until the 1990s that another version was made.

Remakes are difficult to pull off, and the 1994 version of ‘The Getaway,’ starring Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger, is no exception. While it explored the complexities of the story and characters from the original book, it didn’t quite capture the same energy or charm as the beloved 1972 film.

Both movie adaptations have been criticized for leaving out the book’s dreamlike final section, which features even more exciting events after Doc and Carol reach Mexico. This part of the book is a fan favorite and is noticeably absent from both films. It’s possible that each movie works well for the era and setting in which it was made.

The book came out during a time of heightened Cold War anxieties, which made its symbolic meaning even more significant. It’s surprising it took nearly twenty years to make a movie adaptation, but the 1972 film version is still considered the most enjoyable one.

Steve McQueen and director Sam Peckinpah both delivered standout performances in The Getaway, and the film’s supporting actors—Ben Johnson, Slim Pickens, Sally Struthers, and Al Lettieri—are still memorable today. It’s a unique crime film and a career highlight for both stars.

Read More

2025-11-20 17:17