Two-Lane Blacktop
Seen it?1971 | 103 min | Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 43 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Made in 1971: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A driver and mechanic drag racing for money cross paths with a female hitchhiker and a drifter who challenges them to a cross-country race.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 89 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 80K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Monte Hellman
- James TaylorThe Driver
- Warren OatesG.T.O.
- Dennis WilsonThe Mechanic
- Laurie BirdThe Girl
- Rudy WurlitzerHot Rod Driver
- Harry Dean StantonOklahoma Hitchhiker
- Jaclyn HellmanHot Rod Driver's Girl
- Alan VintMan in Roadhouse
- Katherine SquireOld Woman
- Bill KellerTexas Hitchhiker