Review of The Getaway (1972) by James H — 09 Nov 2010

Steve McQueen, The King of Cool, ignites the Silver Screen in this classic Hollywood blockbuster film. McQueen is Doc McCoy, serving 10 years in prision. His application for parole is denied and he starts to fall apart in jail, ground down by the monotony of it all.

Ali McGraw, his on screen and soon to become his wife in real life, makes a deal with a man of enough influence to grant McCoy's release. The payback? He has to carry out a robbery of $500,000 from a local bank.

It goes to plan, but there's a double cross. McCoy and his wife then find they're on the run with the stolen money. Pursued by local Law Enforcement, his double-crossing accomplice and the arranger of the robbery can they make the getaway and cross the border into Mexico? There's real depth to this film.

In some parts it's a love story; McQueen and McGraw sharing a mostly loving but often volitile relationship but all they've got is each other. Part action, with excellent set pieces scenes especially the getaway from the robbery and when later persued by Police.

Also part road movie with the two protagonists making their may any way they can through Texas in the direction of Mexico. A classic film from a one of Hollywood's all time great leading men.