it, the 26-year old director, Steven Spielberg, and the 30-year old screenwriters (and no doubt prospective directors), Hal Barwood and Matthew Robbins, because they've made one of the most stunning debuts in Hollywood history." Pauline Kael of The New Yorker wrote that "Spielberg uses his gifts in a very free-and-easy, American way—for humor, and for a physical response to action. He could be that rarity among directors a born entertainer—perhaps a new generation's Howard Hawks. In terms of the pleasure that technical assurance gives an audience, this is one of the most phenomenal début films in the history of movies." The film grossed $6.5 million in the United States and Canada and $5.5 million overseas for a worldwide gross of $12 million, making it the lowest-grossing film of Spielberg's career. Awards The film won the award for Best Screenplay at the 1974 Cannes Film Festival. See also List of American films of 1974 References External links Story from the Tuscaloosa News, May 4 1969, about Robert and Ila Dent 1974 films 1974 crime drama films 1974 directorial debut films 1970s crime comedy-drama films 1970s road movies American chase films American crime comedy-drama films American crime drama films American films based on actual events American neo-noir films American road movies Films scored by John Williams Films about hijackings Films directed by Steven Spielberg Films produced by David Brown Films produced by Richard D. Zanuck Films set in 1969 Films set in Houston Films set in Texas Films shot in Texas Films shot in San Antonio Films with screenplays by Matthew Robbins Southern Gothic films Universal Pictures films The Zanuck Company films 1970s English-language films 1970s American films