The Sugarland Express
Specs:
Running Time: 1 Hr. 50 Mins.
Color, Single Layer
Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
English Dolby Digital 2.0
English Captions
Spanish and French Subtitles
Rated: PG
Based on the true story of Lou Jean Poplin, who kidnapped a Texas State Trooper and led the police on a wild chase across the state in an effort to save her son from adoption, The Sugarland Express is Steven Spielberg's first theatrical feature film.
Steven Spielberg's success with The Sugarland Express paved the way for his follow up film, Jaws. Spielberg knows that a moving camera is essential for film, and in Sugarland he uses great tracking shots to tell the story of Lou Jean (Goldie Hawn) and her mission to save her child. The Sugarland Express is similar to DUEL in that it involves a car chase once again, however, this time Spielberg incorporates more characters and adds greater depth to them, creating a very entertaining and captivating story. His demonstration of creativity within this film was a sign of many, many great and beautiful things to come.
As Spielberg's feature film debut, this DVD is a must have for any fans.
PICTURE
Sugarland's color is not as eccentric as most of Spielberg's other films on DVD. The picture has a bit of a pale, dull, and dusty look, but the color keeps the tone of the film in sync with the plot. The look actually helps enhance and carry the story, and it keeps that 70s film look. Steven Spielberg and his cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond discussed ways of making the action with natural light to make the movie look more like a documentary, hence the less than perfect, yet effective picture. The look creates an environment that places the audience deep into the heart of the story, and it keeps you there until the very end.
SOUND
Unfortunately, this is DVD does not come with the best of sound choices. You would need to put your surround sound system to 'all channel stereo' for the best sound, since the DVD doesn't come with 5.1 surround, Dolby or DTS. However, I do not want to take away any credibility from the sound departments, because the sound is good for what it's worth. Sugarland is also not a film that needs the exciting benefits of 5.1 surround. The sound during the car chase (as long as it may be...) is not nearly as impressive as the sound in DUEL, but it is still a good sound mix.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Trailer
Unfortunately, the trailer is the only special feature found on the DVD, but I must say, it is a rather intriguing trailer that fans can appreciate.
*First movie to feature a tracking shot (front seat to back) and a 360-degree pan with dialogue from within a car.
*First time Steven Spielberg uses the "vertigo effect" (towards the end when the cop is looking out the window with the gun). He later uses the same effect in Jaws.
Review by 'The Urby Show'
