A film that often appears name checked on lists of the greatest movies ever made, and considered by critics such as Roger Ebert to be “one of the great films of the flowering of American auteurs in the 1970s” Terrence Malick’s debut film remains as timeless as ever.

Based loosely on the true story of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate, Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek star as Kit and Holly in a simple plot of two young lovers turned criminals on the run through the sprawling landscapes of America. Filtered through a fairy tale like perspective, punctuated by (now observed) Malick hallmarks  such as voice over narration, use of natural light and preoccupations with nature, Badlands heralded the beginning of a new type of American cinema with a unique cinematic language which changed the landscape of modern day filmmaking. Beautiful and visually mesmerising, it is a film that needs to experienced as it was intended- on the big screen.

Part of the On the Road Film season

Bar opens at 7pm

Roger Ebert, “Great Movies” review

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-badlands-1973

“Three Reasons: Badlands” (Video)

https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/2707-three-reasons-badlands