Part of Restoration Roundup
Steven Spielberg’s theatrical debut film stars Goldie Hawn and William Atherton as Lou-Jean and Clovis Poplin, a down-on-their-luck couple who lose their child to the state of Texas — and decide to pull out all stops to get him back. Lou-Jean pops Clovis out of jail and the two make off with their son, taking him away from his foster parents. But the long arm of the law isn’t far behind, especially since the couple’s holding a cop hostage.
Bonus Content: Exclusive look at THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS restoration and Universal Pictures Restorations program
“It's always gratifying to go back to the source of a great career and to pinpoint the seeds of promise from which that greatness grew…. SUGARLAND is, ultimately, both interesting for what it isn't — a celluloid petri dish teeming with protean Spielbergisms — and for what it is — an unremarkable instance of a gifted director searching cautiously for his own voice.” —Simon Braud, Empire
“A sharp, tight, suspenseful, wildly entertaining movie which marks the debut of 26-year-ol Steven Spielberg, a director of uncommon ability…. It may turn out to be one of the best movies of the year.” —Kevin Kelly, Boston Globe (Mon, Apr 8, 1974)
“A lyrical, funny, sometimes tragic film… We root for the crooks in this film, because like BADLANDS and THIEVES LIKE US, [it] deals in the nuances and details of their lives and shows them as victims of their own lack of opportunity in a uncaring and illiterate social system” —Rex Reed, New York Daily News (Apr 5, 1974)
“Spielberg’s eye for detail is stated visually rather than through dialogue and the film offers many accurate vignettes of America’s obsession with ‘heroes’ and heroism.” —Cynthia Kirk, Hollywood Reporter (Mar 15, 1974)