The Sugarland Express
The Sugarland Express (1974)
“A girl with a great following. Every cop in the state was after her. Everybody else was behind her.”
Synopsis & Story Arc
Official Logline
Married small-time crooks Lou-Jean and Clovis Poplin lose their baby to the state of Texas and resolve to do whatever it takes to get him back. Lou-Jean gets Clovis out of jail, and the two steal their son from his foster home, in addition to taking a highway patrolman hostage. As a massive dragnet starts to pursue them across Texas, the couple become unlikely folk heroes and even start to bond with the captive policeman.
Complete Cast & Crew Directory
Directing & Screenplay
Cast & Characters
Goldie Hawn
Goldie Hawn
as Lou Jean Poplin
William Atherton
William Atherton
as Clovis Poplin
Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson
as Captain Tanner
Michael Sacks
Michael Sacks
as Slide
Gregory Walcott
Gregory Walcott
as Mashburn
Steve Kanaly
Steve Kanaly
as Jessup
Louise Latham
Louise Latham
as Mrs. Looby
Harrison Zanuck
Harrison Zanuck
as Baby LangstonA.L. Camp
A.L. Camp
as Mr. Nocker
Jessie Lee Fulton
Jessie Lee Fulton
as Mrs. Nocker
Dean Smith
Dean Smith
as Russ Berry
Ted Grossman
Ted Grossman
as DietzCinematography & Large-Format Specifications
Cinematographic negative, aspect ratios & laboratory mastering sheet
| Aspect Ratios | 2.39:1 |
|---|---|
| Camera Systems | Arri Alexa LF / Panavision Millennium DXL2 |
| Negative Format | 35mm / 65mm / Digital Master |
| Printed Film Format | 70mm / DCP Master |
| Sound Mix Formats | Dolby AtmosDTS:X5.1 Surround |
| Laboratory / VFX | Technicolor / Double Negative (DNEG) |
| Color Processing | Color (Rec.709 / DCI-P3 Mastering) |
| Official Runtime | 110 min |
Behind The Scenes
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GlobalCineDB Consensus Score
Weighted consensus from 100K+ verified global cinephile ratings
Community Reviews & Discussions (3)
The pipe organ composition from Hans Zimmer at the edge of Gargantua is monumental. Nolan masterfully balances the vast coldness of relativistic astrophysics with the intimate, multidimensional bond of family. A transcendent achievement of cinema.
"Do not go gentle into that good night, Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Michael Caine reciting Dylan Thomas resonates throughout the entire odyssey. Pure cinematic grandeur.