Two-Lane Blacktop + Intro 15
In Monte Hellman’s existential masterpiece, Two-lane Blacktop, two laconic drifters known only as The Driver and The Mechanic, drive West from California, challenging local residents to impromptu drag races in their souped-up 55’ Chevvy.
Often compared with other road movies from the era such as Easy Rider (1969), Vanishing Point (1970) and Electra Glide in Blue (1973), Hellman’s film is laced with commentary on the counter-cultural movement of the 60s and 70s, with his work consistently revising and reworking classic American genres. Trained under independent film extraordinaire Roger Corman, Hellman would work in the industry in several capacities, acting as editor for directors Sam Peckinpah and Jonathan Demme, and producing Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs (1992).
Two-Lane Blacktop will be introduced by Dr. Sheldon Hall, Reader in Film and Television at Sheffield Hallam University. Dr. Hall has published widely on Hollywood cinema, with his research covering American film history, widescreen cinema, and the Hollywood blockbuster.
- Director
- monte hellman
- Year
- 1971
- Duration
- 1 hour 45 minutes
- Cast
- Dennis Wilson, James Taylor, Laurie Bird, Warren Oates
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