Nerdly » ‘Convoy’ 4K Steelbook Review

31st Oct2024

‘Convoy’ 4K Steelbook Review

by Phil Wheat

Stars: Kris Kristofferson, Ernest Borgnine, Ali McGraw, Burt Young, Franklyn Ajaye, Brian Davies, Seymour Cassel, Cassie Yates | Written by Bill Norton | Directed by Sam Peckinpah

Directed by Sam Peckinpah, Convoy is a film that rides on the wave of the trucker and CB radio craze of the 1970s. Based on the popular country song of the same name by C.W. McCall, the movie attempts to blend action, comedy, and social commentary into one wild, sprawling road adventure. However, its execution leaves much to be desired, and it often feels like it’s unsure of what kind of film it wants to be.

The story revolves around Martin “Rubber Duck” Penwald (played by Kris Kristofferson), a stoic and charismatic trucker who finds himself on the run from an overzealous sheriff named “Dirty” Lyle Wallace (Ernest Borgnine). Along the way, Rubber Duck inadvertently inspires a convoy of fellow truckers to follow him, turning a routine highway incident into a massive, rebellious procession across the American Southwest.

Visually, Convoy is a treat for fans of wide-open landscapes. Peckinpah’s direction shines when capturing the desert vistas and highways that make the American road feel both epic and lonely. There’s an undeniable sense of freedom in the scenes where the trucks roar through the desert, accompanied by the iconic “Convoy” song. However, while the film’s sense of scale and movement is commendable, it’s often overshadowed by a meandering plot that struggles to maintain momentum.

One of the film’s central weaknesses is its lack of character depth. Kristofferson’s Rubber Duck, while exuding a rugged coolness, remains a somewhat distant figure throughout. His motivations are never entirely clear beyond a vague sense of rebellion, and the film doesn’t delve deeply into his psyche. Borgnine, as the corrupt sheriff, hams it up in a performance that feels more cartoonish than menacing, making the central conflict feel less compelling.

The film also feels tonally inconsistent. It bounces between comedic moments, intense action sequences, and attempts at social commentary about government overreach and the plight of the working man. But these elements don’t always gel. Peckinpah, known for his violent and gritty style in films like The Wild Bunch and Straw Dogs, seems out of his element with the lighter, more commercial material. The action sequences, while impressive at times, don’t have the emotional weight that his earlier films carried, and the film’s pacing suffers from it.

That said, Convoy does have its charm. The camaraderie between the truckers, the CB radio banter, and the sheer absurdity of a massive convoy barreling through the desert are undeniably fun to watch. The film also taps into the zeitgeist of 1970s America, capturing a rebellious spirit and the allure of life on the open road. For viewers who appreciate a nostalgic, quirky road movie with a dash of anarchic fun, Convoy delivers.

In the end, Convoy is a mixed bag. It’s a film that had the potential to be a memorable statement on freedom and rebellion, but instead, it meanders through its run time without fully committing to any of its ideas. Despite its flaws, it remains a cult favourite, primarily because of its unique setting and its place in 1970s pop culture. While not Peckinpah’s finest work, Convoy is an enjoyable, if somewhat forgettable, ride for those who appreciate the era and the world of trucking.

Special Features:

NEW Interview with Franklyn Ajaye
NEW Audio Commentary by filmmaker/ Peckinpah scholar Mike Siegel (German & English)
NEW Video Essay: The Lost Convoy
NEW The Duck Trucks
NEW Promoting Convoy: animated gallery of international posters and lobby cards
NEW Convoy colour stills: 120 rare colour photos
NEW Filming Convoy pt 1: White Sands & the Truck stop: 100 rare bts photos
NEW Filming Convoy pt 2: The Trucks are rolling: 100 rare bts photos,
NEW Filming Convoy pt 3: Showdown in Alvarez: 100 rare bts photos,
NEW Original trailer,
Audio commentary by film historians Paul Seydor, Garner Simmons, and Nick Redman,
Passion & Poetry – Sam’s Trucker Movie,
U.S. TV Spot,
U.S. Radio Spots x 4
Three Lost Scenes,
In-jokes, Friends & Cameos
Trucker Notes from Norway