Director Sam Peckinpah shot the heist thriller The Getaway, in 1972, with fresh ideas that polarized critics at the time. Many found the violence and morally ambiguous characters challenging to what was considered the order of the day. But, despite divided opinions, The Getaway found commercial success, and even better, it’s aged like fine wine.
Decades down the line, perceptions of The Getaway have wildly shifted. What came off as overly dark in the ’70s has become the standard for what an ideal heist thriller should be today. The bold narrative, innovative action sequences, and complex characters have secured the movie’s place as a classic of the ’70s and modern cinema. It didn’t happen overnight, of course, and that’s what we’re here to unpack.
Why Did ‘The Getaway’ 1972 Divide Critics Initially?
Before teaming up on The Getaway, Peckinpah and Steve McQueen had worked together in the commercially unsuccessful western Junior Bonner. Both in need of career boosts, they once again joined forces to bring audiences the heist thriller based on the eponymous novel by American author and screenwriter Jim Thompson. The narrative follows McQueen as Doc McCoy, who is serving a 10-year sentence for armed robbery in a Texas prison. His wife, Carol McCoy (Ali MacGraw), cuts a deal with the shady Jack Beynon (Ben Johnson) for his parole in exchange for a bank robbery. Once out of prison, McCoy, his wife, and Beynon’s henchmen steal $500,000 from a bank. But unknown to him, there is deceit and betrayal in the mix.
Upon release, the movie failed to impress several critics, including Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun, who thought that Peckinpah’s story was “contrived” and functioned “with great efficiency but doesn’t accomplish anything.”  His approach contrasted with other heist films of the era, focusing on morally ambiguous characters, character-driven storylines, violent and gritty scenes, and a vague ending. However, the negative reception was not the consensus. A handful of critics praised the director’s action sequences, calling the movie a gripping, entertaining thriller. Interestingly, the film became a commercial success, grossing $36.7 million on a $3.3 million budget. It has also earned a rather impressive 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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How the ‘The Getaway’ Became a ’70s Classic
Critics slammed Peckinpah’s approach so much that they didn’t take the time to appreciate what he was championing. It took decades and tons of re-evaluation, such as home media releases and commentaries, for the movie to receive the applause it deserved. At the end of the day, it is safe to say The Getaway influenced the heist genre in many ways, especially through the lens of its moral ambiguity, character-driven storytelling, and gritty tone.
The truth is, most heist thrillers of the 1970s stick to portraying clear heroes and villains, but Peckinpah didn’t box his characters in. Between McCoy, his wife, and even Beynon, there wasn’t a lot of morality to go around. So, there was no clear hero or villain; everyone had their hands in the cookie jar at some point. Yet, modern audiences appreciate the embrace of a narrative that defied the then-traditional hard stance on heroism and morality.
Making it better, the movie is nothing short of violent and tension-filled. McCoy and his wife driving recklessly in the middle of town without regard, blowing up places during the robbery, and shooting down police cars are a few of the many violent and fast-paced action sequences that were hardly seen in movies of that era. Off-putting for them, sure? Exhilarating for modern audiences who know that it’s the morally grey areas that give the storyline some flavor.
What Differentiates Sam Peckinpah’s ‘The Getaway’ From Its 1994 Remake?
Peckinpah’s The Getaway’is incomparable to its 1994 remake in so many ways. But before going into that, it is crucial to say one cardinal thing:Â Roger Donaldson’s remake should never have been considered in the first place as the original perfectly did what it was supposed to do. What’s more, the original is grittier and more realistic, with dynamic and strong characters who also know how to dial up the charm. In the original, Doc and Carol have a complicated relationship, which elevates the film’s emotional narrative. The stars also had a real-life romance at the time of the shoot, which translated into their on-screen chemistry, making it more authentic.
Granted, Alec Baldwin, who plays Doc, and Kim Basinger, who portrays Carol in the remake, share an undeniable chemistry, too. However, their version focused more on glamour and style, never exploring themes of love, trust, and betrayal. As such, Peckinpah’s The Getaway stands out for its suspense, depth, brilliant action sequences, gritty intensity, and emotional impact. All in all, while the remake wasn’t horrible, it simply couldn’t replace the messy perfection that the original served up.
To watch the original in all it glory, The Getaway is currently available to stream on Apple TV.
