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The Getaway

The movie The Getaway was based on the book The Getaway.

Which one did you like better, the movie or the book?  There are 5 votes for the book, and 3 votes for the movie.

Movie details for The Getaway

The movie was released in 1994 and directed by Roger Donaldson. The Getaway was produced by Universal Studios. More information on the movie is available on Amazon.com and also IMDb.

Actors on this movie include Alec Baldwin, Kim Basinger, Michael Madsen, James Woods, David Morse, Jennifer Tilly, James Stephens, Richard Farnsworth, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Burton Gilliam, Royce D. Applegate, Daniel Villarreal, Scott McKenna, Alex Colon, Justin Williams, Peppi Sanders, Jo Ann Soto, Louis Martinez, Boots Southerland and Maurice Orozco.

 

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"This is going to be the last big score, I promise." Famous last words--uttered by crack thief Doc McCoy to his wife--that set forth a whirlpool of deception and violence in Roger Donaldson's 1994 remake of The Getaway. Bailed out of a Mexican jail by sha... Read More
"This is going to be the last big score, I promise." Famous last words--uttered by crack thief Doc McCoy to his wife--that set forth a whirlpool of deception and violence in Roger Donaldson's 1994 remake of The Getaway. Bailed out of a Mexican jail by shady businessman Jack Benyon (James Woods) in order to hit an Arizona dog track for him, Doc (Alec Baldwin) and Carol (Kim Basinger) flee for south of the border when the robbery goes wrong, with the million-dollar loot in tow. Following close behind are Benyon's men and Doc's double-crossing partner Rudy (Michael Madsen).

The updated version shares not only the original film's plot, but also the added twist of having husband and wife Baldwin and Basinger step into the roles of the first real-life couple to make the film, Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw. This time, however, the woman's role has been given a tougher '90s edge, with Basinger pulling almost as many punches and firing as many shots as Baldwin, compared to McGraw, who followed McQueen around in wide-eyed, silent terror.

The Getaway maintains the same deliberate, neo-noir pace that made the first film taut, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere in the wide-open, desolate Southwestern landscapes. The scorching sun and heat only add to the strain, making it virtually impossible for anyone to find a dark corner or alleyway to hide in. The car chases and shoot-out finale are charged, though a secondary plot line, between Rudy and the woman he kidnaps and seduces (Jennifer Tilly), comes across as unnecessarily and incongruously brutal. --Natasha Senjanovic

Book details for The Getaway

The Getaway was written by Jim Thompson. The book was published in 1977 by Bantam Books. More information on the book is available on Amazon.com.

Jim Thompson also wrote A Swell Looking Babe (1953), The Grifters (1985), Kill-Off (1986) and After Dark, My Sweet (1986).

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He was 41 years old and as down-home polite as any man you'd want to meet. boyish grin, easy manners. Nice guy for a bank robber. In fact, there was hardly a person alive who didn't fall for Doc McCoy's charm. the ones who saw through him died hard and fa... Read More
He was 41 years old and as down-home polite as any man you'd want to meet. boyish grin, easy manners. Nice guy for a bank robber. In fact, there was hardly a person alive who didn't fall for Doc McCoy's charm. the ones who saw through him died hard and fast. Funny thing about Doc, his conscience was his gun