MovieChat Forums > Highwaymen (2004) Discussion > see The Hitcher before passing judgement

see The Hitcher before passing judgement

posted 21 years ago by Holden-17
11 replies | jump to latest

To those who have made comparisons to Joyride or any other story or movie. To those who are surprised that James Caviezel is in this. To those who have said that this looks like an aweful waste of a movie...

You must see The Hitcher. It is the first movie made by director Robert Harmon back in 1986, and it has now become a cult movie classic. The only movies that The Hitcher could have been compared to at the time, because of its fast cars and murder on the highway type of setting were Mad Max and Duel (Steven Spielberg's best film in my opinion), and in the end it doesn't even resemble these films. It was an original. And Highwaymen is the movie that's bringing Robert Harmon back to his beginnings.

The Hitcher, starring C. Thomas Howell and Rutger Hauer is not a perfect film. It has many flaws and holes in the story. However, it is one hell of a wicked ride. There is a lot of originality to it. Because of that film, I have pretty high hopes for Highwaymen. So before you pass judgement on this film, I suggest that you see The Hitcher. You may not like it, but it will definitly give you a really good idea of what this director can do with this type of story.

P.S. Don't see The Hitcher II (unless you really want to), he had nothing to do with that recent straight to video release.

[–] random_ax 20 years ago

I enjoyed THE HITCHER, although the last few minutes of the film were a letdown for me...it just didn't seem like a very good ending after all that. But the rest of the film was great and yes, the only films to compare it to were ROAD WARRIOR etc. Rutger Hauer was sinister and Jennifer Jason Leigh and C Thomas Howell were very good too.

This new HIGHWAYMEN looks like to could join my Top 100 films....wow, and that is an elite list..woo hooo.

[–] Hannibal_King85 20 years ago

hitcher iss a terrible movie

[–] CJ_076 20 years ago

The Hitcher rocks. Beats out that cheesy Fast And The Furious garbage anyday of the week. The suspense was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Although I did enjoy Duel and Joy Ride as well. And I think Harmon's other film Nowhere To Run with Van Damme is worth a mention. He made one of van Damme's better films in my book.

[–] rlh 20 years ago

Holden-17,

As the director of both "The Hitcher" and "Highwaymen," I want to say that I appreciate your kind comments about "The Hitcher." No, it's far from perfect, but as a first film it means a great deal to me.

As for "Highwaymen," I look forward to your impressions, as it is somewhat "Hitcher-like." DVD release is August 24, and don't even get me started on why you need to see it on DVD rather than on the big screen...

All the best,

Robert Harmon

[–] CJ_076 20 years ago

As long as it's in widescreen, I'm happy. :) And "The Hitcher" beats out most garbage of today. It may have been your first film, but you helped create a classic. Your definetly a better director than William Friedkin is. Although it would have been interesting to see how you would have handled "The French Connection" though. :)

[–] sayaaaah 20 years ago

I must agree with everyone here. Even today The Hitcher is one of my favorite movies. I must say I was very excited about Highwaymen after watching the trailer but I doubt it will have the atmosphere and cleverness of The Hitcher. But its not fair to compare these movies. If you want to watch someting like the Hitcher I recommend Mr. Hammons short movie China Lake that is on The Hitcher Special Edition DVD.

[–] CJ_076 20 years ago

Unfortunetly I cannot get the Special Edition DVD to "The Hitcher" yet as it is only Region 2 and here in the US we use Region 1. I have to wait much longer until a company over here decides to release it. :( But your right that it isn't fair to compare either film as no 2 films are exactly alike anyway. People always make that mistake expecting a carbon copy of sorts are bummed when it isn't even close. Do people really like seeing ripoffs? I could tell from the trailer alone that "Highwaymen" isn't going to be like any other film that I've seen. It may echo "The Road Warrior" or "The Hitcher" at times but I highly doubt that it's going to steal from those films verbatim. And I like the fact that the main villian is a guy in a wheelchair too. Shows that even an unseen evil force can just be a human with regular flaws (even the truck driver in "Duel" was just a normal guy with a penchant for highway roadkill). What were people expecting? A Vin Diesel type? That's too obvious. :) By the way, love the cars.

[–] -Peavy- 20 years ago

The Hitcher was one of the very first DVDs i bought, as its always been a favourite of mine ever since i saw it as a kid. Unlike many other movies, this still holds up to viewing in my older age and isnt something skewed by a childs memory of it. :)

[–] alliethedude 20 years ago

Mr. Harmon

I have a question...why is this movie gonna play on TNT August 27, just a few days after its DVD release.

[–] djsnafu23 16 years ago

Thanks for the insight Mr Harmon

1 Question- why did the hitcher have to die?? Were you sympathetic to this character, or did you consider that to be a happy ending?

Amazing film..

myspace.com/bankrupteuropeans

Coz lifes too short to listen to Madlib

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]