They are transient and temporary. The brilliant refinement of timed detonation of petroleum is very impressive but it must be jettisoned. Where many males will look for masculine validation now that the infernal combustion engine has been proven to be an evil planet killing demon is a troubling contemplation.
One of, if not the greatest car movie of all time. You can almost smell the leaded gasoline just watching it. My favorite scene is when the cops pull over the GTO. Great film!
the ending is perfect, James Taylor slams the window shut as it sounds like a prison door shutting, he realizes that he will never be free, he looks to the left and sees the cows in the field and accepts that even they are more free than he will ever be, a captive, a warrior of the street battles, it is his destiny to live the life of a street racer........he is the 55 driver and that is ALL he will ever be!
Bought this movie on VHS years and years ago. Only one thing bothers me... Did James Taylor win the race at the end? Did he wreck the car? Or did he die if he did wreck the Chevy? The film melting away at the end leaves those answers up to the individual I guess.
@@DRock6906 The original ending was supposed to be him rolling it in that drag race but they decided to end it like they did and never filmed the roll over scene, leaving it to the viewer to decide. The rollover car was used instead in American Graffiti (as was the main car from this movie).
@@Motorsportsinjapan in the script the rollover occurs when the Chevy avoids a two car accident between a station wagon and a truck, I presume the scene where they end up in the field was supposed to occur later in the film.
This is the greatest movie ever made.....I used to like this movie for the car, but now I get it. This movie is about loneliness, emptiness, purposelessness and disconnection. It's about people who are spiritual dead and don't even know it. They drive fast to drown out and get away from their misery, but they can't! They are victims of their own minds. Spiritually blind. 100% humans. Terrible! But the director captures this in every single moment perfectly! Incredible! Impossible! Brilliant!
I happened to turn on the television one night right as this movie was starting. It was the public station, so there were no commercials. I watched it all the way through. For the next few days I found myself thinking about it, thinking how deep it was. It had some kind of delayed psychological effect on me. One of my favorite movies.
56 years old, and I still get to the digs during the season and think about racing everyday. Stripped down, flyweight duel purpose machines. I'm gonna have me another budget ride in the next year. Great movie. Even my old bookstore owner girlfriend liked it.
There were two gentlemen toward the end of the film, possibly editted out by now, that grew up in my childhood community. Their names are Tommy Whitenbarger & Jerry Stooksberry. Not to do with the film but not long after Tom & Jerry returned from Viet Nam, one owned an early 70s Torino, with which the two of them "cut a dump truck in half". They were both car nuts and the faster the better, baby! When the 454 first came out they put one in a 55 belair. Those two were great people to know and good friends to have.
I like the critic's take on this movie. I have watched it hundreds of times also. I have a recorded vhs from before the movie was available for sale to the public. I think it is a very fair representation of a part of my youth. So many scenes are identical to what I experienced, nothing romantic, just real life, maybe this was one of the first "reality" type of shows.
I watched this film out of the blue on tV and loved, couldn't find it anywhere for years, then finally googled for it years later and rediscovered it again. This is a time capsule movie and beautifully stripped down to the bare essentials, just like the Chevy.
In the movie soundtrack, "Me and Bobby McGee" -" Freedom's just another word for, nothin' left to lose." encapsulates the movie perfectly. GTO can't escape his PTSD, The Driver, will never stop racing, The Mechanic is constantly tinkering/working on the car. The Girl is desperate to find a way to connect with someone. Used to have to watch "TV Guide" to find out what Friday night at 2:00 am this movie would air. Ahh, the good old days.
good assessment. The bar scene with the Driver was interesting, he listens to a couple argue--even being coupled to something isn't perfect, he realizes. he returns to his hotel room to realize he's an intruder there. They don't fit "small town America" and it takes GTO posing as one to get them out of trouble in a diner. But GTO is obviously not happy, even with a trunk load designed to "get you up, down, or sideways". Every stranger gets told a bigger and bigger lie about himself, until the end he adapts the story of beating his own car in a hand built one.
@2hotinaz 35 years ago I thought this movie was all about being smart and cool. These guys had broken free from the 40 hour work week grind and were living a superior life. They were FREE! Free from bosses, alarm clocks, the IRS, sucky jobs, bills, etc. I totally admired them. They were two wild boys roaming free in a bitchin car on a wild adventure. What I didn't see was what a pointless existence they were leading. Adventure and freedom are nothing if we aren't feeling appreciated.
1971 was the year for both films. I think it's my favourite year for films: Straw Dogs. The French Connection. Dirty Harry. A Touch of Zen. Harold and Maude. All great movies.
This movie is the car version of Easy Rider plus the significance of the car culture during the 60's and 70's can not be overstated, you either feel this movie on a deep level or you don't, theres not much in-between
yeah,...the movie dialogue is almost completely banal, except for all of the pathological lying from GTO...doesn't matter though. All of the outdoor landscapes and the cars are outstanding. It's culturally significant, IMO.
unmistakable, isn't it? My dad still has his 1970 Chevelle SS and my most vivid memories are night trips, watching him drive from the back seat. I remember the whine of that M22 and that purple hi-beam light in the center of the dashboard.
You can have a magnificent film without great acting; in such cases, the lack of acting talent adds to the authenticity. Just look at SLACKER or KILLER OF SHEEP or METROPOLITAN. I think this film fits in that category; the inexperience is not the same as ineptitude.
...oh yes, 'Hollywood machine' actors like Hoffman, Sheen, and Dreyfuss would definitely dampen the authenticity of this movie. Can you imagine Richard Dreyfuss trying to be early 70's 'cool?'..E-gawds! People comment that there is little dialog, or is boring in this movie, but then we were not interrupted by cell phone calls and text's, l guess we thought and pondered a lot. Believe it or not, in some circles in the day you were not 'cool' if you wore a watch, or had a job..too establishment!! Robert at 66.
The cinematography....a Western and wholly American landscape in this movie, as well as Vanishing Point, Easy Rider and I throw Welcome Home, Soldier Boys in there too..a vision of long and lonely two lanes, billboards and folks pre sixties just as lost and hungry as the youth were. It was said Warren Oates deserved an Oscar for GTO, and I couldn't agree more. Today's entertainment so up close, give me those drawn out scenes of a vehicle moving down a highway ANY DAY!!!
I don't know if it was Hellman's intention, but having Oates play the only non-Bressonian role is such a complete contrast to everyone else, that Oates' performance comes across as the false and cringey one. Like the contrast in cars.
Good take on the movie..."a story of obsession and addiction". That could apply to a lot of car guys. I think they are missing the love cars guys have for their machines. But speaking of the only real actor in this movie, don't forget about the late, great Harry Dean Stanton.
In 1971 I bought a White 1971 Hemi 'Cuda, 4 speed car that to a lot of folks looked like the White Challenger in Vanishing Point. I love that car but almost lost my license for street racing twice.
People generally under 55 or 60 or so don't get it, and don't get the movie, and don't get simialar movies like Vanishing Point also. We interacted, thought, and communicated differently. Tail end boomers/ counter culture young people like us often really talked and acted like the James Tailor and Dennis Wilson portrails shown here. It might come off as boring acting sequences, but the understated acting is actually quite authentic. As young folks at that time we were yes, existential, partly confused, period cool, and trying to make heads or tails of our young lives. In a sense this was almost an early 70's reality movie. Laurie Birds 'performance' was especially spot on as the cool drifter. It also shows how a girl can look good without make up and fashion clothes. Simple shaggy long hair, little or no make up, levi's and a flannel shirt or a green army field jacket will knock me out every time, LOL! Robert at 66.
I'm 36. I work at a hot rod shop and drive a '51 Ford. I get it. My dad was part of car clubs in LA County in the '60s. Velvet Underground + 383 strokers + Muncie 4 speeds = cool.
I've watched this movie around 100 times. I always love it. Why? I think my favori+6 t000[e scenes are when the 55 is going flat out in the middle of nowhere. I just think that's so cool. I just want to be running wide open in a bitchin car out in the middle of nowhere. Escapism? Freedom? Elitism? Power? What am I searching for?
@1971SuperLead i guess i look at the film in more of a timeless sense. think of it outside of the 60s/70s counter culture.. the film runs deeper than that. i watched an interview with the director where he mentions that he almost thinks of the mechanic and driver as gunfighters.. in a sense its almost about archetypes.. its hard to explain because it works on such an intuitive level for me. its one of the best films ive ever seen, and because of that, its difficult for me to intellectualize...
This movie is a cult classic. I was 21 in 1970 and I was right there with these guys in my 1970 Firebird Formula 400, 3 in the floor. Ate GTO's for breakfast and 396 Chevelles for lunch. Got humuliated one night by a 440 GTX at a light on Gordon Hwy in Augusta, Ga. Would give anything to have that car back.
Buy a Hayabusa for under $15K and you will put that humiliation finally to rest. My guess is the 55 Chevy in the film could at best do 0 to 60 in about 6 seconds. A Hayabusa can do zero to 60 in 2.55.
@@michael69040 Oh no i'm like you with a creeper 🤣 but i'm not looking to be the fastest i just like tinkering and getting the thrills of driving things i fixed or tuned. You're right the Hayabusa will smoke 99% of the traffic but hot rods now are just for kicks and driving with friends, to go fast yea no need to bother with carbs or other outdated tech
@@michael69040 for reference, my 1968 4-4-2 making about 400 hp/500 on the torque, does 0-60 in 5.5 seconds, and 13's at 100mph in the quarter. so a near--11 second car will be in the 3-4 second range so long as it gets traction off the line rather than get its acceleration done at the end of the track. but yes, the Hayabusa is an incredible machine.
This is a fine movie. Actually it is the Monte Hellman masterwork, think. It's a road movie dealing with bets. It has an open end, but in the meanwhile you would have enjoy each minute. It deserved to be better known. Good indépendant cinema. 🎦👍✔️
I'd say this is all about 'mid life crisis'. Young kids in a old car that don't want to grow up. While an older man in a new car is trying to be young and free again. And the two sets are 'locked in'. Driver & Mechanic may have been racing 5 to 8 years previously, and seem like they could race for 10 to 20 more. Whereas GTO seems like he's only been at it for a year or less, and may give it up in as quick of time. The girl is 'the prize' that waltzes in for the ride and causes the men to 'wake up' momentarily to their possible future and/or past. And what I like best is the all around subdued empathy all develop for each other during their journey. Where the young start helping the old guy and his car, and GTO begrudgingly appreciates their help and rather join them than race them. And in the end, the girl realizes the two are more in love with their old car than they'll ever be with her. GTO would be a incestuous father figure which maybe she's running away from. And GTO through all his bolstering and yarns realizes reality and his age near the end and knows he has to 'grow up' again. And James Taylor gives such a GREAT performance of committed and confused loyalty to himself and those near him. Can he race forever? Could he fall in love? Will he be like GTO in time? And Dennis Wilson is great too, as he exudes 'he's just along for the ride'. Keeps Driver and the car running, but has enough wits, knowledge and passion that he'll forever be with cars for the rest of his life. Be it with Driver or working at a garage, or joining a legit race team. Rudy Wurlitzer is so humble about the script, and James with his performance. But I'd say there's a subconscious realization with all during writing and filming what's at stake for everyone. James just breaking into music and being highly regarded. Proud of his talent, yet so humble about it. Dennis, well established with The Beach Boys, connected, and experience galore. Laurie, new young talent open to anything - modelling, acting, settling down. And Warren, always a minor character behind some of the biggest stars. His behind the scenes stories probably outweigh his actual work and accolades ten fold! So just brilliant casting, subconscious analytical writing and performing, and brilliantly filmed! Definitely a movie I can watch over and over again, be it years or days apart.
@1971SuperLead i guess i disagree with both interpretations. true they arent truly "free" but at the same time their existence isnt pointless, just honed to the bare minimum.. taylors character realizes the ultimate possible consequences of that life, accepts it, closes the emotional door and burns up. apparently the end came to the director in a dream so i guess its open to interpretation..
Seeing this for the first time as a kid at Lincoln Drive-In on Route 1 in Philadelphia! In my father's 65 Barracuda at the end of this movie when the film melts my old man had a meltdown what a rip-off still one of his favorite movies of all time he just won't admit it
@2hotinaz,Yes, I agree fully, but when I look at government and business practices, I see nothing but unabashed greed. What I wouldn't do to work for a place that actually cared about their customers. I first watched 2 Lane BT back in 1977 and though Warren Oates was nuts but that the James and Dennis where living a really great life. It took me 20 years of watching this a couple times a year to finally understand what this movie is really about. What a shock! It's about the road to hell.
Let me explain something...jets inject fuel into the air mixture not air. The only way a jet gets clogged is because there is no fuel filter. The butterfly controls airflow. Airfilters keep crud from getting into the engine and scoring the cylinder walls and thats it. It has nothing to do with the fuel
I wish they could locate his original, 3+ hour cut that features the plot that was left on the cutting room floor. But I did have strange thought the other day. Could you imagine replacing Warren Oates with Elvis Presley???? I thought if Elvis had broken away from the Colonel in 68-69 like he wanted to, he could kick-start his movie career with a low-budget, Road movie. I could TOTALLY see Elvis playing the GTO character. A man on the brink of his mid life crisis. It would have been perfect. AND then you'd have all three main leads as musicians/singers. Could have been amazing and I think Hellman could've gotten a fantastic performance out of Elvis. Elvis always operated a little better when he was out of his element and somebody was challenging him. Oh, what could have been!
Dead zone state. The brain of horsepower and good American boys. This wasn't a movie at all, it was reality. I was there I was Dennis, I was James. This is exactly what we were. Lots of us were this. Like Double Nickles, Evel knivel with George Hamilton. There's lots of material like this
At 58 years old I thought it was a very good movie it influenced me as in the mid 70s how many of us younger men weren't thinking and dreaming about getting a fast hopped up car getting our best friend climbing in that car and taking it around the country to race I just wish I actually had the balls to do it and did it but I didn't so now I just watch the movie and reminisce. Sigh. 😷
@2hotinaz Yes, I fully agree again, but where are these businesses? Where is the business that not just acts like they care about their customers, but actually does? Corporate mentality is infecting all business. It's all about money and nothing else. Back to Two Lane......what was their goal? Just living for kicks? Where was Warren going? Was he just hunting for anything that looked better than where he was? Competition is hell. I hate the competitive mentality.
yeah, that pretty much explains it, even the film melting on the projector in the end. There's nothing deep about it, and that's the point. it's a singular focus, and "the girl" (if memory serves, she'd commit suicide later in Paul Simon's flat) had no place at all in it. GTO is the guy who's always changing his story to make it more interesting to the next person, but no one ever takes the bait but the homosexual hitchhiker.
A one of kind film-the only completely zen road/car movie I can think of. I love Easy Rider, too, but it's the polar opposite within the same genre. They're two sides of the same coin, and I love both sides.
My older brother and one of his buddies took me with them to the sun set drive in in brunswick GA to see this…. I was 9 years old in 71. Ima car guy now and have been since 78-79 wen I got my license. MOPAR2YA
@greg55666, Let's add Easy Rider to the list. Once again we meet people who are "cool and free" but have forgotten, or never learned, that the only thing that makes life fulfilling is being selfless. The selfish road may seem rewarding, but like starting a cocaine habit, it's only fun for a little while. Eventually we can't stand to even look in the mirror. These people aren't mindless, but ego minded. The movie is ingenius in depicting the horror of being self absorbed.
@2hotinaz That makes sense, although I am sure that any really large company is going to be stupid to work for. The top never knows what the bottom is up against and so they tell the bottom to do all kinds of stupid things. I remember "empowerment training" where we were all told we were "empowered". Man, all that did was remind us how insignificant we were. In the 21 years I worked at that company, no big shot ever came to the floors to talk WITH us.
as a car guy, this movie is nirvana...grew up in the 60's and 70's with these very cars...in fact still own a couple. But this is actually not a car movie...the cars are only the medium to make the existential point that some live only in the now (the mechanic, driver, girl) with no past and no future and no cares about either, and others live in a fantasy (GTO) with a made-up past and unrealistic future and delusions of grandeur, and the two will cross now and then but can never really exist together.
@1971SuperLead Good. Yes. This movie and Vanishing Point are both about nihilistic and empty lives. Vanishing Point gives Kowalski reasons for his nihilism--Vietnam, his racing days. Two-Lane Blacktop takes all that away. These are mindless people who are so disconnected. I've always thought this movie said something profound and scary about not just these people but America. Scott has it right, the performances of the Driver, Mechanic, and Girl are creepily empty.
We can’t find many films like this today but what does the ending mean at the last race does the burn up mean he went down with his car or he lost both races and he doesn’t care I’m surprised there hasn’t been a sequal to this soon cars will drive themselves and fly hard to believe it’s been 50 years since these racing days.
make it three yards,and you got yourself a automobile race mfr--great line by SWEET BABY JAMES,got two copies RIP LORI DENNIS WARREN,YOUR WORK goes forward
Perfect ending because it unintentionally captures a prediction of America and it's eventual divorce from a love affair with it's cars. In Released in 1971 but likely conceived as an idea for a movie then written and filmed over a period between 1969 and/or 1970........the very peak and so very near the end of the Muscle Car era.. It was, yet never will be, like this again. Today most people see their car as utilitarian transportation only. Reflected in the obvious move to dull as dish-water SUVs and Trucks. Sure there are still a few of us who get excited for the latest Corvette, Challenger, Mustang or Camaro offering but we are absolutely insignificant in numbers. Detroit and all over auto makers around the world see us as boutique small sized market barely worth even developing cars for and very soon I expect they won't even bother as electric cars grow in popularity and even autonomous driven vehicles make their way onto the scene. This isn't a very good movie but it does capture something you can only revisit today when you buy and restore an older car. As long as gasoline is still being sold there will always be an extra place in my garage for that Sunny Sunday driver that takes me back.
The first time is saw this movie was a show in the U.K. called Moviedrome presented by Alex Cox. Each Sunday they would show a cult movie and Alex Cox would talk about it, i now have TLBT on dvd 📀 as it’s one of those films you have in your collection .
I did not like this movie when it first came out. I would like to rewatch it now at 71 to see what I may have missed as a teen gearhead but not sure if I want to buy a movie I still may not like. Indo find it a little strange that so many critics liked this movie but I think overlook or miss what Steve McQueen's intent in Lemans which I still feel is a better movie.
@5191keith Oh, well, that's okay, but I always think it is not a legitimate criticism of a movie to say "it's not what I wanted it to be"--that is not the problem of the movie. But certainly, if you're just pointing out it's not "real" and that's what you were looking for, nothing wrong with that.
Midnight Run? Is this critic kidding? That's the best you can do for road picture comparisons? Why not mention Road to Utopia while you're at it? (I'm kidding of course). Nice going by showing the ending. Good grief, with more spoiler reviews like this, I think the NYT will be in more dire straits than the auto industry. Great flick, but don't misinterpret low budget and limited resources for intentional minimalist production design. It's called, doing the best with what you have available. If Monte had tons more dough, it would look a lot different. It's a movie of its time, the early 70s. There were reams of flicks like this, but none with James Taylor and Dennis Wilson. I wouldn't call it a great flick, but it certainly is haunting. More a time capsule than a masterpiece. This film inspired Brock Yates to host his Cannonball Run, no, not the movie, the actual cross-country race. That race inspired the movie Gumball Rally (they changed the name to protect the guilty) and then the original folks decided, now that the cannonball was out of the bag, to make Cannonball Run, which was never as good as Gumball Rally or even this film for its grittiness and true love of cars and no-holds-barred racing.
