The Reivers (1969)

Director:

Mark Rydell

Writers:

William Faulkner (novel) and
Harriet Frank Jr. (writer)

Release Date:

25 December 1969 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Boon is a reiver (that's a cheat, a liar, a brawler and womaniser) and he had just four days to teach young Lucius the facts of life (like cheating, lying, brawling and womanizing).

Plot:

In turn-of-the-century Mississippi, an 11-year-old boy comes of age as two mischievous adult friends talk him into sneaking the family car out for a trip to Memphis and a series of adventures.

Plot Keywords:

Crying | Spitting | Knife Attack | Apple | Pistol

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Steve McQueen	...	Boon Hogganbeck
Sharon Farrell	...	Corrie
Ruth White	...	Miss Reba
Michael Constantine	...	Mr. Binford
Clifton James	...	Butch Lovemaiden
Juano Hernandez	...	Uncle Possum
Lonny Chapman	...	Maury
Will Geer	...	Boss
Rupert Crosse	...	Ned
Mitch Vogel	...	Lucius
Diane Shalet	...	Hannah
Pat Randall	...	May Ellen
Diane Ladd	...	Phoebe
Ellen Geer	...	Sally
Dub Taylor	...	Dr. Peabody

Also Known As:

The Yellow Winton Flyer (UK) (video title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, brief nudity, language and thematic elements. (2004 re-rating)

Runtime:

Germany:107 min | USA:107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | UK:PG (video rating) (1987) | UK:AA (original rating) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Norway:16 (1970) | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15 | USA:M (original rating) | USA:PG-13 (2004 re-rating) | UK:12 (re-rating) (2005)

Filming Locations:

Carrolton, Mississippi, USA

Company:

Cinema Center Films

Trivia:

Mitch Vogel broke a shoulder during the shooting.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: On the packaging for the 1993 VHS release of the movie, the music credit is give to Lalo Schifrin. John Williams wrote the score for the film and received an Oscar nomination for his efforts.

Quotes:

[Boon giving directions to Ned on how to use the Winton Flyer]
Ned: Boon, when do you think I can have it?
Boon Hoggenbeck: String bean you so much to lay a hand on this automobile, I'll jump down your throat, and tap dance on your lungs!

A charmer of a coming of age movie

A boy falls in with bad and slightly foolish companions when his grandfather leaves his brand new horseless carriage unguarded for the weekend. Based on a Faulkner novel, the story centers on a whirlwind trip to Memphis, with the promise that the car and all in it will be back in Mississippi before the grandfather. A night at a madam's, a knife fight, a dispute with a corrupt and bigoted sheriff, and two of the most exciting and beautiful movie horse races shoot the plan to hell. Not the best McQueen, but Sharon Farell is sweet and heartbreaking, Rupert Crosse (who died young) showed substantial promise and the movie is generally well-played. A charming movie about the sweet smell of corruption, responsibility and the lengths men (and horses) will go to to get what they want.