Although Jaws put his name in the mainstream media, it is not the first Steven Spielberg film to highlight his talent.
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Steven Spielberg’s career speaks for itself. Currently he boasts of being on the list of the most influential film directors of all time. Although the list of successful productions that bear his seal is quite extensive, few know the name of the film that announced the arrival of a new talent to the world of the seventh art.
We cannot deny that he is one of the most multifaceted directors in the cinematographic environment, even Spielberg participated in the creation of Guardians of the Galaxy, his favorite superhero movie. However, far from what many can imagine considering that he achieved fame thanks to the success of Jaws (1975)his first work is a road movie quite particular.
The film that marked the beginning of a legacy
This movie that few know was the beginning of everything
To be honest, it is not one of the director’s best works, much less one of the best known, but Crazy evasion is the starting point of a prominent career. This road movie released in 1974, it represents the push Spielberg needed to let his skills and creativity flow.
Without a doubt, from the beginning Spielberg made evident his ability to adjust to different plots. Unlike other directors, he has not been pigeonholed into any genre, thanks to this, we can enjoy his talent in productions ranging from science fiction, such as ET the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) –which would have a sequel that Spielberg ended up discarding–, until Saving Private Ryan (1998)one of the best war films in history, and the fantasy saga that gives Jurassic Park.
Through a rare combination of tragic drama and ridiculous comedy, Crazy evasion had two effects, on the one hand, becoming the first relevant production created with the use of Panavision’s innovative 35mm Panaflex camera and, on the other, it heralded the arrival of a key figure among American filmmakers, after all, Few have achieved the feat of taking the entertainment world by storm and building a solid reputation around versatility and masterful execution of the craft.
What is Crazy Escape about?
Starring Goldie Hawn, William Atherton, Michael Sacks and Ben Johnson, it is a road movie which tells the story of Lou Jean a woman tries to reunite her family in a very particular way, helping her husband escape from prison, to together kidnap their son.
Although the young couple’s intention is to regain family life away from all the problems, things get out of control when the mission includes taking a police officer hostage**, starting a chase throughout Texas.
In this way, while the state police, under the command of Captain Harlin Tanner, track the Poplins from city to city, the peculiar family creates a media stir that ends up turning them into celebrities as they gain the support and sympathy of the audience.
Although they manage to reach their destination safely, Lou Jean and Clovis do not achieve the goal of recovering their son, leaving a bad taste in the mouths of the spectators who felt empathy towards their cause, since They meet a tragic end once the authorities thwart their plans.
More than just fiction
A movie that is based on real events!
A curious fact about the film is that, although it is a fictional story, It is inspired by real events. In 1969, the couple, Ila Fae and Robert Dent, were hunted after kidnapping state police officer Kenneth Crone. The procedure involved nearly 150 patrol cars from local Texas authorities.
Wheelock was the final scene of the chase, at the scene, local police officers and an FBI agent killed Dent and captured Fae, who received a five-year prison sentence. However, due to her behavior she was released after five months and was granted custody of her son.
In short, although Crazy evasion failed to become a box office hit or one of the most acclaimed films, it has the essence that distinguishes the director, therefore, It is worth enjoying it on an afternoon at the movies at home..
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