The Getaway Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Getaway Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 20, 2026

Roger Donaldson's "The Getaway" (1994) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The supplemental features on the release include recent program with composer composer Mark Isham; recent program with author and screenwriter C. Courtney Joyner; archival programs with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger; documentary footage; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

If all remakes were as good as Roger Donaldson’s film, they would have a near-perfect reputation. Am I implying that Donaldson’s remake is as good as Sam Peckinpah’s classic film that inspired it? No. However, it is a terrific film, better than ninety-nine percent of all action films Hollywood produced during the 1990s.

Walter Hill’s touch is instantly recognizable. (It is in Peckinpah’s film, too). There is no fat, and the math is as crystal-clear as it needs to be so that the players and their game look legitimate. Also, after the opening credits disappear, Donaldson immediately begins directing as a NASCAR pro with immaculate control of speed and precision.

Somewhere in the boonies, Rudy Travis (Michael Madsen) meets Doc McCoy (Alec Baldwin) and his wife Carol (Kim Basinger) and convinces the former to do a risky job. Soon after, they form a crew and free a young Mexican criminal (Daniel Villarreal) from an American prison. To get paid, they travel to Mexico, but when their employer cheats them, Rudy abandons Doc, and he ends up behind bars. Some weeks later, Carol visits Doc, and he instructs her to tell Jack Benyon (James Woods), a crooked high-roller with plenty of powerful friends, that he is ready to work with him if he gets him out and back to the States.

In Arizona, Doc, Carol, Rudy, and his partner (Philip Seymour Hoffman) successfully rob a greyhound track, but first Rudy decides to cheat, and then Jack changes his mind and tells Doc that he plans to keep Carol for himself. Forced to improvise to stay alive, with the money from the heist still with them, Doc and Carol head toward Mexico, but Rudy and Jack’s executioner, Jim Deer Jackson (David Morse), begin tracking them down.

While inevitable, a comparison of the films Donaldson and Peckinpah have directed is meaningless because they produce unique characters that give both completely different personalities. Yes, certain developments, like the heist and the chase, remain crucial elements of their narratives, but the special chemistry between the leads effectively renders all other similarities, big and small, irrelevant.

In Donaldson’s film, all characters of some importance are played by terrific actors. For example, Jennifer Tilly and James Stephens brilliantly play an odd married couple whose rapidly deteriorating relationship becomes one of the biggest delights. Despite having limited time in front of the camera, Woods gives a marvelous performance and leaves a lasting impression, though one could easily argue that for an actor of his caliber, this is hardly surprising. In the final act, Morse looks great as the unhinged executioner with delusions of grandeur. And right before the final credits appear, the charismatic Richard Farnsworth pays tribute to Slim Pickens’ classic character in the best possible way.

One area where the superiority of Peckinpah’s classic film becomes undeniable is the management of the humor. It has better-timed, sharper one-liners and funnier exchanges that charge it with a wonderful positive energy. Donaldson’s film produces darker material of the kind that flourished in many neo-noir films that emerged during the same period.

Donaldson and cinematographer Peter Menzies Jr. shot on location in Arizona, which has proven to be the ultimate destination for action films whose protagonists are on the run.

The soundtrack combines original music by Oscar-nominated composer Mark Isham and David White. As the final credits appear, Richard Marx’s hit “Now and Forever” can be heard, too.

The Getaway Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Getaway arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films.

The release is sourced from the same older master that Universal has licensed to several boutique labels in America and overseas. I in my library have this British release, produced by Icon Film Distribution in 2024.

The master is not bad. It produces decent, occasionally even quite nice visuals. However, its age definitely shows. For example, while close-ups tend to look pretty good, wider panoramic shots, and especially the ones from daylight content, appear rather flat. In backgrounds, finer nuances are underwhelming. I would say that the master's greatest strength is the absence of serious digital corrections, like the ones observed on the recent release of A Kiss Before Dying. (This release is also sourced from an older master supplied by Universal. However, it is heavily processed). Also, color reproduction and balance are very good. Of course, a proper 4K restoration will freshen up several primaries and supporting nuance, and the dynamic range of the visuals will instantly benefit. However, the current master has all primaries and supporting nuances properly set, giving the entire film an authentic period appearance. The surface of the visuals can be healthier. I noticed a few nicks and tiny blemishes. However, there are no distracting large cuts, debris, warped or torn frames to report in our review. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

The Getaway Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When Turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

I revisited the film with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. I think that it is a very, very solid lossless track. All action material, which is a lot, sounds great with it. The dialogue is always very clear, easy to follow, and stable. I cannot see where a new lossless 5.1 track can offer any meaningful improvements. If some rebalancing enhancements are made in the future, I doubt viewers will be able to recognize them without performing direct comparisons with the current track. Unlike the British release that I have in my library, this release offers optional English SDH subtitles to those that may need them.

The Getaway Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Ambushed: Scoring The Getaway - in this recent program, composer Mark Isham discusses the specific harmonies he chose for the complete sound design of The Getaway and explains how his music was meant to enhance certain qualities of the action and drama material. Isham also clarifies that he attempted to bring several genres together in a flexible, attractive soundtrack. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).

• Double-Crossed: Inside The Getaway - in this recent program, author and screenwriter C. Courtney Joyner discusses Jim Thompson's legacy and the novel that inspired The Getaway. Joyner also comments on Sam Peckinpah's classic film, as well as the "problematic" finale of Thompson's novel, which sends Doc McCoy and Carol McCoy to a very shady place in Mexico called El Rey. Also, Joyner has very interesting comments about Walter Hill's involvement with the original material. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Alec Baldwin - in this archival program, Alec Baldwin quickly addresses the character he plays in The Getaway. Baldwin also comments on his relationship with Kim Basinger's character. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Kim Basinger - in this archival program, Kim Basinger explains why her character remains loyal to Alec Baldwin and comments on their relationship and work. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Making of Featurette - presented here is an archival EPK, featuring clips from cast and crew interviews, as well as raw footage from the shooting of The Getaway. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Behind the Scenes Footage - presented here is raw footage from the shooting of The Getaway. In English, not subtitled. (6 min).

• Commentary - this recent audio commentary was recorded by Travis Woods.

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage U.S. trailer for The Getaway. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Hardback Booklet - an exclusive 126-page hardback booklet containing production stills and essays from Walter Chaw on Wild At Heart, Travis Woods on Unlawful Entry, Patrick Bromley on The Getaway, Blake Howard on Mulholland Falls, Jerry J. Sampson on Freeway, and Roxana Hadadi on City of Industry, as well as technical credits.

The Getaway Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While inevitable, a comparison of the two films Roger Donaldson and Sam Peckinpah directed is meaningless because they produce unique characters that give both completely different personalities. I think that they are similarly great films, which is most definitely not a popular opinion. Imprint Films' release is sourced from the same older master that Universal has offered to various boutique labels. This master produces decent, occasionally even quite nice visuals. However, its age definitely shows. This release retains all bonus features that were offered on Shout Factory's American release of The Getaway. It is included in Australian label Imprint Films' After Dark: Neo-Noir Cinema Collection Four box set. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.