VANISHING POINT (1971)

Freedom was the central issue in many of the counter-culture films released in the wake of the surprise success of 1969’s Easy Rider. Kowalski (Barry Newman), the enigmatic figure at the center of this road picture, lives for speed as he delivers cars for a living, with his run from Denver to San Francisco in a souped-up Dodge Challenger taking on mythic qualities. He’s egged on and turned into a folk hero by DJ “Super Soul” (Cleavon Little). Director Richard C. Sarafian made the film in an atmosphere of newfound liberty, encouraging his cast, including non-professionals, to improvise. The studio, 20th Century-Fox, didn’t know what to do with VANISHING POINT until it took off in Europe. Then they reissued it on a successful double bill with The French Connection (1971). It also became a popular drive-in film, which helped it develop a loyal cult following that included directors Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino.

d. Richard C. Sarafian, 99m, DCP

DCP courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.