Inconsistent but provocative

Rating: 7/10 (22 May 2001)

This is a movie that takes too long to get started and way too long to finally end. There are some gripping moments in between. On the whole, it is a very good film, and probably deserving of Best Picture, especially considering that 1978 was a relatively weak year for films.
CLARIFICATION: I have not taken time to read all 120+ reviews for this film, but I have read at least 1 which has a big factual error about the music written for this film. So for the record, composer John Williams (E.T., Star Wars, Jaws, etc.) had NOTHING to do with this film. The music is written by Stanley Myers, and it does say in the credits that the theme was "perfomed by John Williams." But this is not the same John Williams who has composed legendary film scores. This particular JW is an Australian-born classical guitarist who had reached international acclaim long before this film was made.