{"id":90998,"date":"2023-09-02T22:56:10","date_gmt":"2023-09-03T05:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=90998"},"modified":"2023-09-03T12:42:37","modified_gmt":"2023-09-03T19:42:37","slug":"deadhead-miles-1971","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=90998","title":{"rendered":"Deadhead Miles (1971)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have everything we need, like the Boxcar Kids &#8212; we can move!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Poster-214x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-90999\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Poster-214x300.png 214w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Poster-91x128.png 91w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Poster-193x270.png 193w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Poster.png 683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAfter stealing a truck and abandoning his buddy (Oliver Clark), a drifter (Alan Arkin) picks up a hitchhiker (Paul Benedict) and begins a cross-country trip filled with theft and trickery.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Alan Arkin Films<\/li>\n<li>Black Comedy<\/li>\n<li>Road Trip<\/li>\n<li>Truckers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nDirected by Vernon Zimmerman (just before making <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=78247\"><em>The Unholy Rollers<\/em><\/a>) and scripted by Terrence Malick, this unusual trucker\/road-trip flick maintains a darkly sardonic and absurdist edge throughout. Malick&#8217;s screenplay is decidedly unpredictable, with plenty of quirk and local flavor:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Baseball.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Baseball.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"979\" height=\"723\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-91008\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Baseball.png 979w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Baseball-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Baseball-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Baseball-768x567.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Baseball-366x270.png 366w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 979px) 100vw, 979px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; but it&#8217;s hard to watch Arkin&#8217;s consistently ruthless behavior without cringing, as innocent people are harmed for his own selfish purposes. Fortunately, Malick&#8217;s love of classic movies offers intermittent reprieves &#8212; as during a super-brief early cameo of Ida Lupino and George Raftat a gas station:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Lupino-Raft.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Lupino-Raft.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"975\" height=\"723\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-91001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Lupino-Raft.png 975w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Lupino-Raft-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Lupino-Raft-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Lupino-Raft-768x570.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Lupino-Raft-364x270.png 364w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and a sequence when Arkin and Benedict are watching (and commenting on) key scenes from <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=41835\"><em>Samson and Delilah<\/em> (1949)<\/a> at a drive-through. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Watching-Samson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Watching-Samson.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1049\" height=\"725\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-91005\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Watching-Samson.png 1049w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Watching-Samson-300x207.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Watching-Samson-1024x708.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Watching-Samson-128x88.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Watching-Samson-768x531.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Watching-Samson-391x270.png 391w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1049px) 100vw, 1049px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>My favorite &#8220;throwback&#8221; moment is when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/person\/725383%7C24253\/Bruce-Bennett\/#filmography\">classic movie workhorse Bruce Bennett<\/a> appears in cameo as black-clad &#8220;Johnny Mesquitero&#8221; and helps out Benedict on the side of the road. (It&#8217;s notable that Arkin is nowhere to be seen during this sequence; decency can finally prevail.) <\/p>\n<p>[As a side note, I had to look up Bennett to see what else he starred in, and noticed that he had supporting roles in <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=79026\"><em>Strategic Air Command<\/em> (1955)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5069\"><em>Angels in the Outfield<\/em> (1951)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=57022\"><em>The Treasure of the Sierra Madre<\/em> (1947)<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5008\"><em>Mildred Pierce<\/em> (1945)<\/a> (as &#8220;Bert Pierce&#8221;).] <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Deadhead_Miles\">Wikipedia&#8217;s entry<\/a> provides a succinct yet accurate overview of what actually happens throughout this film, and I refer readers to that if they&#8217;re curious; mostly, it comes across as an absurd commentary on the randomness of life, and a cautionary tale against ever being too gullible. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Loretta Swit can be seen here in her first role, as &#8220;Lady With Glass Eye&#8221; (her bizarre scene jives with the rest of the film&#8217;s odd sensibility). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Swit.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Swit.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"975\" height=\"725\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-91000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Swit.png 975w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Swit-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Swit-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Swit-768x571.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Swit-363x270.png 363w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Good use of authentic shooting locations<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Menu.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Menu.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"979\" height=\"725\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-91004\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Menu.png 979w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Menu-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Menu-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Menu-768x569.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Menu-365x270.png 365w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 979px) 100vw, 979px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Locale.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Locale.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"975\" height=\"701\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-91010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Locale.png 975w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Locale-300x216.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Locale-128x92.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Locale-768x552.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Locale-376x270.png 376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Effective cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Chrome.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Chrome.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1047\" height=\"727\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-91003\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Chrome.png 1047w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Chrome-300x208.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Chrome-1024x711.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Chrome-128x89.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Chrome-768x533.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Chrome-389x270.png 389w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1047px) 100vw, 1047px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Arkin2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Arkin2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"961\" height=\"721\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-91015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Arkin2.png 961w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Arkin2-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Arkin2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Arkin2-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Deadhead-Miles-Arkin2-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 961px) 100vw, 961px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s worth a one-time look if you&#8217;re curious and\/or an Arkin fan. Listed as a Cult Movie in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0068452\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/deadhead-miles\/review\/2030042694\/\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have everything we need, like the Boxcar Kids &#8212; we can move!&#8221; Synopsis: After stealing a truck and abandoning his buddy (Oliver Clark), a drifter (Alan Arkin) picks up a hitchhiker (Paul Benedict) and begins a cross-country trip filled with theft and trickery. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Alan Arkin Films Black Comedy Road Trip Truckers Review: Directed by Vernon Zimmerman (just before making The Unholy Rollers) and scripted by Terrence Malick, this unusual trucker\/road-trip flick maintains a darkly&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=90998\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-90998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=90998"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90998\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":91106,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90998\/revisions\/91106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=90998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=90998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=90998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}