Vanishing Point

Play trailer

Vanishing Point

R

Released Jan 15, 1971

1h 39m

Action

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Vietnam War hero Kowalski (Barry Newman) has become a pill-addicted driver for hire. Transporting a car from Colorado to California, he enlivens the journey by making a wager with his drug dealer: If the trip takes under 15 hours, Kowalski's latest amphetamine purchase is free. But Kowalski's recklessness on the road results in a much-publicized police chase. Radio jock Super Soul (Cleavon Little) covers the pursuit and turns Kowalski, who refuses to pull over, into a martyr for freedom.

Margaret Hinxman

Daily Telegraph (UK)

The film does whip up a genuine excitement and suspense. The director, Richard C. Sarafian, masterminds some gripping chase sequences, making good use of unknown actors and amateurs and a musical score that fits en route.

Jun 8, 2020

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

The action is almost entirely made up of one man driving a car at maximum speed from Denver to, hopefully, San Francisco.

May 6, 2008

Full Review

Peter Kenis

Rolling Stone

In a time when vacant retreads such as The Fast and the Furious are the problem, Vanishing Point is the answer.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 14, 2007

Full Review

Dilys Powell

Sunday Times (UK)

Aesthetically beautiful, emotionally very stirring.

Jun 2, 2020

Full Review

Dorothy Woodend

The Tyee (British Columbia)

If you thought the car parts in Tarantino's Death Proof provided the only worthwhile section of Grindhouse, Vanishing Point is the real deal.

Aug 23, 2017

Full Review

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

Merged the appeal of Bullitt with that of, say, Zabriskie Point...fast cars and dusty existentialism. [Blu-ray]

Rated: 3/4

Mar 13, 2009

Full Review

Read all reviews

Sams K

Badass! A must watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/24

Full Review

Christian S

Excellent movie! Ahead of its time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/12/24

Full Review

DZ GAMER I

Weird storyline stupid too , but didn't bore me ,not bad

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/26/24

Full Review

Pierre L

Logic : Logic studies the formal rules of thought and reasoning. It focuses on how it is possible to draw valid conclusions from given premises. Logic examines the structure of arguments, evaluating their coherence, validity, and truth. It also provides tools to analyze the relationships between propositions and concepts, thus enabling the resolution of complex problems in a rigorous and systematic manner. This is what Kowalski is attempting to do given the circumstances...

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/17/24

Full Review

Nawt W

Incredible desert shots and stunts, it is never the same car chase again and again the movie moves on to something new every scene. And more than just squeezing every bit of artistry from what surely is a short script, the movie is exhilarating to watch without those themes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/13/24

Full Review

Roy W

Excellent movie and soundtrack. A top ten if you're into car movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/20/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Allen Smithee

Director

Barry Newman

Kowalski

Cleavon Little

Super Soul

Charlotte Rampling

Hitchhiker

Dean Jagger

Prospector

Victoria Medlin

Vera Thornton

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Gordon's War

60%

47%

Gordon's War

Watchlist

Truck Turner

60%

73%

Truck Turner

Watchlist

Slaughter

17%

44%

Slaughter

Watchlist

French Connection II

82%

62%

French Connection II

Watchlist

Bucktown

40%

51%

Bucktown

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

RT on DVD: Final Futurama Flick, Pirates II, and Akira on Blu-ray

Top Ten Death Proof Exploitation Films: the films that wouldn’t die.

RT-UK Exclusive: Dragons invade London at "Eragon" Premiere

View more photos

Synopsis

Vietnam War hero Kowalski (Barry Newman) has become a pill-addicted driver for hire. Transporting a car from Colorado to California, he enlivens the journey by making a wager with his drug dealer: If the trip takes under 15 hours, Kowalski's latest amphetamine purchase is free. But Kowalski's recklessness on the road results in a much-publicized police chase. Radio jock Super Soul (Cleavon Little) covers the pursuit and turns Kowalski, who refuses to pull over, into a martyr for freedom.

Director: Allen Smithee
Producer: Norman Spencer
Screenwriter: Guillermo Cabrera Infante
Production Co: Cupid Productions Inc.
Rating: R
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 15, 1971, Original
Release Date (DVD): Feb 6, 2007
Runtime: 1h 39m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)