The Wreck

This chapter, about Two-Lane Blacktop’s post-production and release, relates how Monte Hellman cut together a European-style, slow-paced film. Esquire magazine had put the movie on its cover, calling it “the movie of the year,” and raising expectations. Universal executives ask for a more traditional ending and want James Taylor to sing in the movie or at least contribute a tune to the soundtrack, but Hellman refuses to budge. Preview audiences are confused by the film, and Universal doesn’t market the movie to people who actually would appreciate it. Audiences at theatres, who expect another fast-paced Easy Rider, are disappointed and reviews are mixed. Hellman blames the failure on Universal’s animosity to the film and excessive publicity, and others blame Hellman for using untrained actors, failing to use a finger-snapping soundtrack and making the film too slow and quiet for American audiences.