An ex-con drifter with a penchant for brawling is amused by a homeless ex-sailor, so they partner up as they head east together.An ex-con drifter with a penchant for brawling is amused by a homeless ex-sailor, so they partner up as they head east together.An ex-con drifter with a penchant for brawling is amused by a homeless ex-sailor, so they partner up as they head east together.
- Awards
- 4 wins total
- Annie
- (as Penny Allen)
- Hooker
- (uncredited)
- Child
- (uncredited)
- Bartender
- (uncredited)
- Hippie
- (uncredited)
- Lion's Son
- (uncredited)
- Myra
- (uncredited)
- Waitress
- (uncredited)
- Young Man
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
A seemingly simple drama about a guy out of prison...but with Gene Hackman as the leading role expect something special. And then Al Pacino plays the sidekick, and an interesting, and little talked about, New Hollywood film is under way. The setting is a kind of revision of the American West, the big dry outdoors no longer the wild West, but still something unique in the visual lexicon.
The director is also little discussed-Jerry Schatzberg-and this might be his best film, aided by the elegant, searing cinematography of Vlimos Zsigmond (famous for "Days of Heaven"). Seeing how the film unfolds you might agree that it's Zsigmond's film, for it carries forward with a brilliant, quiet choreography. Elemental scenes where actors move through space, or through a diner, are made almost gripping by how the camera tracks them.
Of course, we eventually have to admit this is a two-man show. Hackman is his usual comfortable best, filled with loud nuance. I mean, he is a strong character, but his actions are loaded with little, natural details. And Pacino plays an unexpected sweetie with a cute smile. It's a compelling pair.
Things are slow, for sure. It's an easygoing flow with often little really plot. We get into their lives and their heads. This is no "Midnight Cowboy" by any means, but it comes from the same intention, it would seem. Two slightly mismatched outsiders find they need each other, and a bond deeper than mere friendship is formed.
Don't overlook this film. Rent it!
Did you know
- TriviaGene Hackman has stated that his performance in Scarecrow (1973) is his personal favorite.
- Quotes
Lion: Hey Max, you heard the story of the scarecrow?
Max Millan: No.
Lion: You think crows are scared of a scarecrow?
Max Millan: Yeah, I think they're scared. Yeah why?
Lion: No, crows are not scared, believe me.
Max Millan: The god damn crows are scared.
Lion: No, crows are laughin'.
Max Millan: Nah, that's bullshit...
Lion: That's right, the crows are laughin'. Look, the farmer puts out a scarecrow, right, with a funny hat on it, got a funny face. The crows fly by, they see that, it strikes 'em funny, makes 'em laugh.
Max Millan: The god damn crows are laughin'?
Lion: That's right, they're laughin' their asses off. And then they say, "Well, that ol' farmer Jo down there, he's a pretty good guy. He made us laugh, so he won't bother him any more."
Max Millan: The god damn crows are laughin'...
Lion: Ohh, they laughin', woooo!
Max Millan: I gotta tell ya somethin', that's the most hare-brained idea I've ever heard.
Lion: It's true, they're laughin' their asses off.
Max Millan: The crows are laughin'... I guess the fish are reciting poetry...
Lion: I guess so.
Max Millan: Uh huh... and the uh, pigs are playin' banjo? And the dogs would be, let's see, uh... playin' hockey. And the uh... the uh...
Lion: Crows are laughin'.
Max Millan: Crows are laughin', right. Ya know, in the joint I've heard some tales, oh boy, golly I've heard some tall tales. But at least those guys had the decency to admit that it was bullshit, you know what I mean? They actually took pride, pride in that it was bullshit. But the crows are laughin' huh? I mean you're not playin' with a full deck man, you got one foot in the grave beyond.
- ConnectionsFeatured in A Decade Under the Influence (2003)
- How long is Scarecrow?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Espantapájaros
- Filming locations
- Belle Isle, Detroit, Michigan, USA(fountain)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $295
- Runtime
- 1h 52m(112 min)
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1