Vanishing Point

Vanishing Point (1971)

  • 75% of critics liked it
    (16 reviews)

  • 80% of users liked it
    (12,682 ratings)

Richard Sarafian directed this minimalist chase film, starring Barry Newman as ex-marine, ex-race car driver and cop named Kowalski. He drives into Denver to deliver a car and pick up another vehicle to drive to San Francisco. To make the fifteen-hour drive to San Francisco bearable he pops a load… More

Critic Reviews

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • , Time Out

    The woodenness of both direction and Newman's performance becomes increasingly apparent.

  • Roger Greenspun, New York Times

    A movie about which I can think of almost nothing good to say.

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    Takes full advantage of the subject's existential and mythical undertones without being pretentious, and you certainly get a run for your money, along with a lot of rock music.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jeff "


    In the history of cinema there have been many standout car chase films. Some have been great and others lacked in real excitement. Vanishing Point is one of the best car films ever made, after Bullitt; this film redefined the car chase genre and gave cinema enthusiasts something truly… More

  • Chris W


    it's supposed to be a 70s classic... ...and that popular opinion is not wrong. This road movie is essentially one long car chase that concerns a man named Kowalski who bets that he can drive from Denver to San Francisco in just 15 hours. Well, going at that kind of pace,… More

  • Lucas M


    One of the greatest movies about chasing cars, without forget the portrait and behavior of a decade. Criative picture bringing together a surprising ending make Vanishing Point, a rare dramatic chase movie.

  • Tsubaki S


    FUCK DA POLICE

  • Lorenzo v


    <i>"This radio station was named Kowalski, in honour of the last American hero to whom speed means freedom of the soul. The question is not when's he gonna stop, but who is gonna stop him."</i> Kowalski works for a car delivery service. He takes delivery… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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