Park Circus announced today that Jerry Schatzberg's little seen American classic Scarecrow (1973), starring Gene Hackman, Al Pacino and Dorothy Tristan, will be re-released in 2013, opening at BFI Southbank and selected cinemas nationwide. The film has been newly restored by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Former professional photographer Jerry Schatzberg won the Palme d'Or in 1973 for this rarely screened eccentric on-the-road American classic, starring the acclaimed duo Gene Hackman and Al Pacino. A tale of intense and newfound friendship between lowly Max (Hackman – stated as his favourite ever role) and Lion (Pacino), Scarecrow is digitally restored and ripe for rediscovery on the big screen.
Opening amidst an isolated backdrop of dusty American landscape, Max, just released from prison, happens upon Lion. A muted meeting at first soon blossoms into the beginning of a new friendship that takes them hitchhiking across America to realize Max's dream of opening his own car wash in Pittsburgh. Encountering a series of oddball characters along the way, often delving deep into the protagonists' peculiarities and personal problems, Scarecrow is an intriguing, gritty gem from a significant period of great American cinema.
Note: Jerry Schatzberg's Puzzle of a Downfall Child (1970), starring Faye Dunaway, Barry Primus and Viveca Lindfors, was also recently restored and screened in the Classics section of the Cannes Film Festival. It is now available on Blu-ray in France, courtesy of Carlotta Films. See Blu-ray.com's review here.
If this means a Blu is on the way, then I'm pretty stoked! This is one of my favorite movies from the '70s. I never thought it'd come out on Blu though.
This movie has nothing in common with Midnight Cowboy, so I don't see why there is a comparison. Al is an obvious subordinate who takes no advantage. He is a nice character and this is an overall wonderful movie. Glad they are taking the time to restore it.
Park Circus announced today that Jerry Schatzberg's little seen American classic Scarecrow (1973), starring Gene Hackman, Al Pacino and Dorothy Tristan, will be re-released in 2013, opening at BFI Southbank and selected cinemas nationwide. The film has been newly restored by Warner Bros. Pictures.
