has anyone here seen the movie Two-Lane Blacktop

[fishwax]

It's a 1971 road movie with James Taylor and Dennis Wilson from the Beach Boys. They are drifters-slash-drag-racers driving a 1955 Chevy who wind up in a cross-country racing challenge with Warren Oates, who drives a GTO. The three are battling for pink slips, but also for the affections of a female hitchhiker, played by Laurie Bird.

The film is a cult classic, apparently, but I just saw it for the first time tonight, and I'm curious if anyone else has seen it ...

[Oeditpus Rex]

1. Twice

But not for several years.



It's one I really should own, assuming it's on DVD.

[fishwax]

2. they even have a special edition DVD now

which is (luck would have it) the version I picked up at the video store. In addition to the movie, it has a full disc of special features. I haven't explored them all, but they include interviews between the director (Monte hellman) and James Taylor (who apparently has never seen the actual finished film) as well as between Hellman and Kris Kristofferson, since "Me and Bobby McGee" is featured in the film.

Kristofferson apparently wanted to play either Driver or Mechanic, but Hellman thought he was too old. Any DVD with Kris Kristofferson is probably worth having, even if he's only on the special features.

So you liked the film, I take it?

[Oeditpus Rex]

3. It's a gearhead movie and it's kinda Film Noir

What's not to like? :D

[fishwax]

7. apparently it's gearheads and route 66 fans who have fueled its cult status

I'm a fan of road movies generally, which is why I checked it out, and I think it's a really good example of the genre.

[RetroLounge]

4. Many times, love it.

Been a long time...

RL

[fishwax]

8. I've been meaning to watch it for a while

wasn't really expecting to enjoy it, but was pleasantly surprised.

I'll confess that I found the acting is a bit odd at times--James Taylor is pretty good when he's silent (which is most of the time), but his dialogue isn't great, imo. Visually, though, the film is great, and it doesn't rely heavily on dialogue, but uses images of the road and sounds of the automobile to tell its story. Good stuff.

[RetroLounge]

14. The cars are the stars

:9

RL

[fishwax]

5. Director Monte Hellman and singer Art Garfunkel have strikingly similar hair

Lead actress Laurie Bird dated both of them. She actually took the picture that serves as the album cover for Garfunkel's "Watermark." Unfortunately, her story ends in tragedy, as she committed suicide in 1979.

[mitchum]

12. Check out Hellman's "Cockfighter" (if you haven't already)...

another great film starring Oates.

[fishwax]

13. haven't seen it--thanks for the rec

it looks like they have it at my local video store, so I'll check it out one of these weekends. Oates is indeed a great actor ...

[ghostsofgiants]

6. Recently got a Criterion Collection release, which means I'll probably have to check it out soon.

[DainBramaged]

9. I actually saw it in 1971

And I remember (urban legend?) that James Taylor kept the car after the filming was done. It was fun. I could tell you stories of friends of mine who actually (and one is still alive a former NHRA champ) who when traveling across the country to National events would street race on the way out for expense money.

To have my youth back..........

[Ikonoklast]

10. Saw it at the drive-in when it came out.

Haven't seen it since.

And it definitely is a cult classic.

[mitchum]

11. It's a fantastic movie (and I'm not even into car culture)...

and Warren Oates is one of the greatest actors who ever walked the earth