The plot had promise but the acting fell sorely short. Your typical sexualized female using her body to get her way and her emotions to manipulate situations. It just got incredibly old, fast. And the supporting actors were so predictable. The whole thing just fell flat.

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, e não faz o filme dar uma melhorada, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores.

It's technically very impressive, the problem is it hinges on rather unlikeable lead characters.

Spielberg made one of his best movies right at the start. Simple plot, excellently executed as he builds the characters over a couple of days. A good story, well told. Watched on DVD.

Quality! 'The Sugarland Express' is Steven Spielberg's first theatrical release as director, which is quite something given the movie seems like it was made by a seasoned vet. On a similar note, the look and feel of the film is absolutely outstanding; it has aged remarkably well visually, almost hard to believe it came out in 1974! I also really enjoyed the score, particularly Toots Thielemans on the harmonica, but that's no surprise - John Williams, duh! As for plot, it is very entertaining. I like how silly everything plays out for the first chunk and the film knows it, but events gradually rise up a notch throughout the 110 minutes. The more serious conclusion would've felt quite sudden and out of place, though it is portrayed and paced perfectly. Cast-wise, Goldie Hawn, William Atherton and Michael Sacks are excellent, though Ben Johnson is probably the one I'd rate highest.

It may be derivative but the movie is so tightly controlled by Spielberg and so captivating from start to finish that it just doesn't matter.

Spielberg suddenly opens up to me in the best traditions of American classic cinema in the spirit of John Wayne films. Brilliant work, unlike any of his films.

3 & 1/4 stars. I generally liked the movie which had little to do with the real life event. But still, I kept asking myself, who is dumber? The couple who thinks the cops will let them go after all the ruckus? Or the law who chases them endlessly?

Goldie Hawn was made for this kind of role, 5 stars to her. Movie 3 stars.

I want to give stars for the cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond. Some scenes from dust to night are symbolic and typical New Hollywood style. On the other hand, the story (loosely based on the real people) is kinda empty and characters are not strong as Bonnie&Clyde. There are too many car crash/fire footages than thrill, and actually comedic.

I enjoyed this film, mainly in terms of the way it showed a real media circus descend on the kidnapped police officer via the hostage takers on the road. There are some amusing moments and its also thought provoking. I felt the themes were handled well and I thought it was quite an entertaining film. Given its based on a true story, I found it a particularly intriguing watch. Goldie Hawn does particularly well in her role as the mother of the young child she fears will be permanently adopted. I thought it was interesting to see a film directed by Steven Spielberg thats as old as this (it was released in 1974). I would definitely recommend this film. Also, just before the credits we see text on screen that explains what happened after the events depicted in the film, which is nice to know.

It may be derivative but the movie is so tightly controlled by Spielberg and so captivating from start to finish that it just doesn't matter.

An entertaining debut for one of cinema's best directors, combined with Spielberg's direction, the script he co-wrote with Barwood and Robbins, the performances of the cast, Williams's score, Zsigmond's cinematography, Fields and Abroms's editing, Alves's production design, Ellsworth and Gilmore's costume design, action sequences, sound design and emotional values, The Sugarland Express represents the debut of a director's passion and love for film and stories!!!

Well, since I WAS THERE! I think the movie is stupid and false!

It's hard to care about a pair of hillbilly stupids. The script depicts them as morons and that doesn't help. The movie is competent and at least keeps you wanting to know what will happen next. I hated the main theme, it reminds me of a Christmas Carol ( Twelve Days of Christmas).

Entertaining early Steven Spielberg film

In The Sugarland Express, Steven Spielberg's first theatrical feature, the Poplins (Goldie Hawn, William Atherton) steal a police car, officer included, and embark on a journey across Texas to reunite with their young son, who has been assigned to foster parents as a result of the Poplins' criminal activity. Hawn is wonderful as the desperate mother, as is Ben Johnson as the officer leading the extensive chase. While much of the movie consists of the chase and the associated screeching tires and wailing sirens, there are moments of genuine tenderness and humanity squeezed between the scenes of vehicular mayhem, and those are the moments that make the film worth watching.

I was hoping for better . Some good things in the movie for sure . But too many car scenes

There are so many ingenious compositions in this now 46 year old film that rival and yes still better the film's of today. It holds up to modern audience entertainment standards, standards set by Spielberg himself. The last third of it is a bit rough and the characters are thinner than they should be for the film to have a deserving emotional impact. But you can see the genius pioneering camera blocking (like a 360 degree inside the car one shot made before pre-steadicam) or how so many frames are packed with such great information on multiple planes. The action is great. There are reasons its no classic. But it more than passes the time.

In his first official feature-length entry, Spielberg demonstrates great casting and directing. If this screenplay would've fallen into the hands of nearly any other young up-and-coming filmmaker, the end product would be a sluggish/perfunctory low budget flick from the 1970's.