Al Pacino Shines in Overlooked Gem "Scarecrow" (1973)

News - 6 February 2024
In 1973, the movie Scarecrow was released, starring top actor Al Pacino in one of his first major film roles. Despite being made during a fruitful period for the film industry in the 1970s, where many new filmmakers were given opportunities to create high-quality films, Scarecrow often goes unnoticed in discussions of the best films of the decade. However, the film is considered to be quite good.

nnThe story follows Max, who is released from prison and dreams of starting a car wash, and Lion, who abandoned his pregnant wife five years prior and now seeks to reconnect with his child. The two men form a strong bond as they work together to achieve their respective dreams. However, they face numerous challenges and setbacks along the way, turning their journey into a tumultuous adventure.

nnIn Scarecrow, Al Pacino takes on the role of Lion while Gene Hackman portrays Max. The film was directed by Jerry Schatzberg and produced by Warner Bros., who were seeking to invest in a lower-budget project after facing disappointments with larger, costly films.

Schatzberg had previously worked with Pacino and brought him on board for Scarecrow, resulting in a successful collaboration.nnThe reception of Scarecrow was generally positive, with a 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.2/10 on IMDb.

Both critics and audiences praised the film, leading to its win of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973. At the box office, Scarecrow brought in around four million dollars, a respectable figure for the time.nnFor those interested in watching Scarecrow, the film is available for rental at three euros on Prime Video.