Scarecrow
Overview
Former photographer Jerry Schatzberg follows up his explosive directorial debut THE PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK with SCARECROW, which captured the Grand Prize at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival. Opening on a desolate highway, two drifters stumble into each other, and decide to hitchhike together across the country. Max (Gene Hackman), just released from prison, wants more than anything to own a car wash in Pittsburgh, staying out of trouble and living his life as an honest man. Lion (Al Pacino), who has returned from working at sea, dreams of reuniting with the wife and daughter he left behind years ago in Detroit. Embarking on their strange, confused journey, the dusty pair encounters a cast of peculiar characters as they struggle to reach their destinations (including a stop-off at Hackman's sister's house in Colorado). In the end, after beginning to accept the truth--that their dreams are not going to come to fruition--they find friendship, trust, and love, giving their lives justification. Superbly acted by Pacino and Hackman--and grittily photographed by Vilmos Zsigmond--Schatzberg's film contains a brilliant blend of comedy, drama, and tragedy, resulting in a truly unforgettable viewing experience (a la MIDNIGHT COWBOY), making SCARECROW a stellar example of the highly personal character-driven films that made 1970s Hollywood such a brilliant, distinct period.
Awards:
1973 - Cannes - Palme d'Or - Winner
Main Cast & Crew:
Jerry Schatzberg - Director
Gene Hackman
Al Pacino
Eileen Brennan
Ann Wedgeworth
Dorothy Tristan
Richard Lynch
Penelope Allen
Al Cingolani
Rutanya Alda
Details
- Format: DVD (Manufactured on Demand, Dubbed)
- Run Time: 112
- Color Format: Color
- UPC: 888574320652
- Genre: DRAMA
- Rating: R (MPAA)
- Release Date: January 2017
Movie Reviews
Notes:
Winner of the Grand Prix at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival.
First feature film for screenwriter Garry Michael White.
Reviews:
"...[A] mood piece about two hobos working their way cross-country..." - 05/29/1998 USA Today, p.10E
"[A] great forgotten '70s film....This is a wonderful actors' movie." - 07/22/2005 Entertainment Weekly, p.58
"This is one of the great buddy movies, with brilliant performances by Al Pacino and Gene Hackman..." - 06/01/2007 Sight and Sound, p.32
4 stars out of 5 -- "Vilmos Zsigmond's superb lensing shines through -- but it's the two vibrant leads who most command attention." - 06/01/2013 Total Film
Customers Also Bought
