Monte Hellman's open-road classic Two-Lane Blacktop comes to Blu-ray this month and after thirty years of repeat TV-screenings its not surprising the melancholy-laden epic has attracted quite a cult following, whilst being considered one of the key films of the New Hollywood Renaissance of the early 1970's.

With their nonchalant observations and dry retorts James Taylor's Driver and Dennis Wilson's Mechanic race across America's Southwest pitting their grey super-tuned '55 Chevy against any willing motor head they come across in a bid to raise cash for food and gas. Along the way they are joined by Warren Oates' GTO (because that’s what he drives) after a wager puts them in a cross-country duel for ‘Pinkslips’ as they head for the Washington DC finish line.

Set against a backdrop of immense country along Route 66 their lives portray the feeling of a generation living in the shadow of the Vietnam War and a nation questioning its identity. Laurie Bird plays the Girl, just along for the ride, whose affections cause the Driver to reflect on his relationship to the road, racing and more poignantly to the girl herself. It’s a movie that juxtaposes small insular and disillusioned characters with epic and expansively beautiful landscapes.

Whist not famous for its action-packed content and fast-paced dialogue Two-Lane Blacktop is a true road-movie as much as Easy-Rider can be considered to be but where these two films differ is in where Easy-Rider expresses a sense of rebellion and the freedom of the road, Two-lane Blacktop is a poem of alienation and lost hope.

Blu-ray Extras

With lots of extra features including a making of the Blu-Ray release of Two Lane Blacktop will please many fans and promises great value as an up-to-date release of a piece of 70’s movie memorabilia.