BADLANDS
Martin Sheen, Sissy Spacek, Warren Oates
Warner Bros.; Directed by Terence Malick
Rated PG; 94 minutes; 1974
Based on the lurid Starkweather-Fugate murders in the 1950s, this moody thriller recounts a James Dean wannabe misfit’s (Martin Sheen) killing spree across the midwestern plains that begins when he murders his fifteen-year-old schoolgirl girlfriend’s (Sissy Spacek) dad (Warren Oates).
REVIEWS
"BADLANDS is a dazzling first movie. It established writer-producer-director Terrence Malick as a major talent . . . one of the most important films made in America in the last several years. Martin Sheen is absolutely flawless . . . Malick is a master of sound, dialogue, music."
- Joseph Gelmis, NEWSDAY
"Cool, sometimes brilliant, always ferociously American, BADLANDS is a most important and exciting film."
- Vincent Canby, NEW YORK TIMES
"Terrence Malick is a truly gifted discovery, but he is enormously aided by actors who give edge and shape and meaning to his intentions. Martin Sheen, as Kit, is brilliant in a swiftly moving and deeply felt performance of great purity and perception. Sissy Spacek . . . is thrilling to watch."
- Rex Reed