Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Sugarland Express

  • 1974
  • PG
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
20K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,016
2,870
Goldie Hawn and William Atherton in The Sugarland Express (1974)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer3:19
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Dark ComedyCrimeDrama

A woman attempts to reunite her family by helping her husband escape prison and together kidnapping their son. But things don't go as planned when they are forced to take a police hostage on... Read allA woman attempts to reunite her family by helping her husband escape prison and together kidnapping their son. But things don't go as planned when they are forced to take a police hostage on the road.A woman attempts to reunite her family by helping her husband escape prison and together kidnapping their son. But things don't go as planned when they are forced to take a police hostage on the road.

  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writers
    • Hal Barwood
    • Matthew Robbins
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Stars
    • Goldie Hawn
    • Ben Johnson
    • Michael Sacks
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    20K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,016
    2,870
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writers
      • Hal Barwood
      • Matthew Robbins
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Stars
      • Goldie Hawn
      • Ben Johnson
      • Michael Sacks
    • 94User reviews
    • 78Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 5 nominations

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 3:19
    Watch Official Trailer
    The Sugarland Express: Does That Mean We Can Kiss?
    Clip 1:07
    Watch The Sugarland Express: Does That Mean We Can Kiss?

    Photos156

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 150
    View Poster

    Top cast67

    Edit
    Goldie Hawn
    Goldie Hawn
    • Lou Jean
    Ben Johnson
    Ben Johnson
    • Captain Tanner
    Michael Sacks
    Michael Sacks
    • Slide
    William Atherton
    William Atherton
    • Clovis
    Gregory Walcott
    Gregory Walcott
    • Mashburn
    Steve Kanaly
    Steve Kanaly
    • Officer Ernie Jessup
    Louise Latham
    Louise Latham
    • Mrs. Looby
    Harrison Zanuck
    • Baby Langston
    A.L. Camp
    A.L. Camp
    • Mr. Alvin T. Nocker
    Jessie Lee Fulton
    Jessie Lee Fulton
    • Mrs. Nocker
    Dean Smith
    Dean Smith
    • Russ Berry
    Ted Grossman
    • Dietz
    Bill Thurman
    Bill Thurman
    • Hunter
    Ken Hudgins
    • Standby #1
    • (as Kenneth Hudgins)
    Buster Daniels
    • Buster Daniels - Drunk
    • (as Buster Danials)
    James N. Harrell
    • Mark Fenno
    • (as Jim Harrell)
    Frank Steggall
    • Logan Waters
    Roger Ernest
    • Hot Jock #1
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writers
      • Hal Barwood
      • Matthew Robbins
      • Steven Spielberg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Duel
    7.6
    Duel
    1941
    5.8
    1941
    Always
    6.4
    Always
    Amistad
    7.3
    Amistad
    Empire of the Sun
    7.7
    Empire of the Sun
    Firelight
    5.5
    Firelight
    The Color Purple
    7.7
    The Color Purple
    Close Encounters of the Third Kind
    7.6
    Close Encounters of the Third Kind
    Foul Play
    6.8
    Foul Play
    Something Evil
    5.3
    Something Evil
    Savage
    5.3
    Savage
    Twilight Zone: The Movie
    6.4
    Twilight Zone: The Movie

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This is the first movie to feature a tracking shot (front seat to back) and a 360-degree pan with dialogue from within a car, made possible by the new Panaflex Camera (1972), which was intended to be first used by Clint Eastwood in his directorial debut, Play Misty for Me (1971), but wasn't ready in time.
    • Goofs
      While the Border Patrol's purpose is indeed to protect the United States against illegal entry and not vice-versa, they are still a law enforcement agency that can be called upon to assist other state or federal agencies (as depicted in the film) to prevent wanted felons fleeing the United States jurisdiction during a pursuit. This has happened numerous times in reality and as such they are completely justified in firing at Clovis's car during their attempted escape.
    • Quotes

      Clovis Poplin: We're in real trouble.

      Clovis Poplin: Say, I didn't mean what I said.

      Maxwell Slide: What was that?

      Clovis Poplin: When I called you a son of a bitch, I didn't mean it

      Maxwell Slide: And you ain't no mental subject neither.

    • Crazy credits
      Epilogue: "Lou Jean served 15 months of a five-year prison term following her parole. She convinced the authorities that she was fit and able to take care of baby Langston. They are now living quietly in a small West Texas town. Captain Tanner and Officer Slide are still serving with the Texas Department of Public Safety."
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Special Show: The Magic of Spielberg (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      The Eyes of Texas
      (uncredited)
      Written by John Lang Sinclair
      [Played by marching band when the car enters Rodrigues, Texas]

    User reviews94

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10

    A Must Watch....

    'The Sugarland Express' is a very special film, it stands out. Here's why: It's based on a true story and it is the first theatrical feature film directed by Steven Spielberg. Now, 2 ACES, can never disappoint?

    'The Sugarland Express', based on a true story is about a husband and wife trying to outrun the law, they want their life back, they want their Baby Langston back. It's a joyride! The incident has been made with ease, the Legendary Filmmaker never disappoints -- as simple as that!

    Coming right away to the acting department, Goldie Hawn steals the show with a magnificent performance. The Legendary Actress delivers a performance of a lifetime! William Atherton is superb, this is his most mature performance to date. Ben Johnson is, as always, terrific. Michael Sacks emotes the helplessness and support remarkably. Others are satisfactory.

    On the whole, this Superb Piece Of Cinema cannot be missed by Cinema-Devotees. Thumbs Up!
    • namashi_1
    • Apr 23, 2010
    • Permalink

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ19

    • How long is The Sugarland Express?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 29, 1974 (Sweden)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Carte Blanche
    • Filming locations
      • San Antonio, Texas, USA(Harlandale ISD Stadium & Military Drive)
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Zanuck/Brown Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,500,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,505,037
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Goldie Hawn and William Atherton in The Sugarland Express (1974)
    Top Gap
    By what name was The Sugarland Express (1974) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2024 by IMDb.com, Inc.