Review of The Getaway (1972) by Al P — 23 Feb 2010

Rudy Butler: That's a walk-in bank. You don't have to be Dillinger for this one.

Carter 'Doc' McCoy: Dillinger got killed.

Rudy Butler: Not in a bank.

Steve McQueen plays it pretty cool throughout this Sam Peckinpah action thriller. Its about an ex-con/master thief, Doc McCoy, played by McQueen, who is released from jail, reunites with his wife, and takes on a bank job from a corrupt politician in exchange for parole and a chunk of cash. The bank heist is successful, but unfortunately for Doc the men he's working with are not on the level. Doc kills the politician but only shoots the other robber who was wearing a bullet proof vest at the time. Now its a race to the border as Doc and his wife Carol, played by Ali MacGraw, are wanted criminals being hunted by both the police and the other robber.

What I really enjoyed about this film is McQueen's character. Doc is continually frustrated by all those around him throughout. This includes the men chasing him, people getting in his way, and of course his wife. There is one awesome sequence where Carol is given some help by a stranger, who ends up taking all the money, leading to a neat cat and mouse sequence as Doc and the thief have to deal with each other. It is an entire sequence that is relatively unrelated to the main plot, but it further strengthens Doc's frustration, and how he could have done everything clean if he was just given himself to do everything. This is the film that has finally put me on board the cool McQueen train.

Adding to the film is Peckinpah's direction. Known for his use of bloody action, slow motion shots, and macho characters living by a simple code of honor, all of those elements are present here, and they all add to the slickness and to the point purpose of the feature.

A well made, entertaining ride.

Carter 'Doc' McCoy: If you're trying to get me back in Huntsville, you're going about it the right way.

Carol Ainsley McCoy: Well I just wouldn't worry about that Doc, because I can always get you out, you know I can screw every prison official in Texas if I have to!

Carter 'Doc' McCoy: Texas is a big state.

Carol Ainsley McCoy: I can handle it.

Carter 'Doc' McCoy: Yeah, I bet you can.