The Getaway

The late 1960s and early 1970s in American cinema saw a true boom of romantic criminal duos. Of course, it all started with the iconic Bonnie and Clyde in Arthur Penn’s film, but soon after, Sam Peckinpah introduced the world to Doc and Carol McCoy in The Getaway, while Terrence Malick gave us Holly and Kit in Badlands. Steve McQueen, radiating charisma and dominating every frame, is paired with the fantastic Ali MacGraw, fresh off the massive success of Love Story. It’s impossible not to fall for this rebellious couple as they race across the American highways toward Mexico, on the run after a high-stakes bank heist. Naturally, things get complicated – thanks to a screenplay penned by pulp fiction writer Jim Thompson and future cult director Walter Hill. As always, Peckinpah is fascinated by themes of loyalty and the desire for freedom, set in a hyper-masculine world driven by manipulation, revenge, and greed. But what makes The Getaway unique is its focus on love – leaving the audience morally conflicted, rooting for the McCoys to make it, no matter the cost.

Marcin Pieńkowski

Sam Peckinpah (1925–1984) was an American director and screenwriter known for his revolutionary approach to violence in cinema. His career gained momentum in the 1960s, as evidenced by films such as Ride the High Country (1962) and The Wild Bunch (1969). Peckinpah earned critical acclaim for his realistic depiction of violence and complex character portrayals, although his work often sparked controversy.

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