Claim: Steve McQueen was in a film.

The Getaway is a 1972 American neo-noir crime film directed by Sam Peckinpah . The screenplay by Walter Hill was based on the 1958 novel of the same name by Jim Thompson . Starring Steve McQueen , Ali MacGraw , Ben Johnson , Al Lettieri , Sally Struthers , Jack Dodson , and Slim Pickens , the film tells the story of convicted robber Carter `` Doc '' McCoy -LRB- McQueen -RRB- , who orders corrupt politician Jack Beynon -LRB- Johnson -RRB- a release from prison through his wife , Carol McCoy -LRB- MacGraw -RRB- . In exchange , Doc masterminds a bank heist organized by Beynon . A series of double-crosses ensues , and the McCoys attempt to flee from their pursuers to Mexico . The film marks the second collaboration between McQueen and Peckinpah after Junior Bonner , also released the same year .   Jim Thompson was originally tapped by McQueen and producer David Foster to write the film adaptation of his book ; he wrote the script in four months . Due to creative differences , however , McQueen replaced him with Walter Hill ; he wrote the script in six weeks . Filming commenced on February 7 , 1972 , and was shot on location in Texas . During production , McQueen and MacGraw began an affair . Likewise , McQueen and Peckinpah would get involved in heated arguments due to the latter 's increasing alcohol intake . Originally scored by longtime collaborator Jerry Fielding , Peckinpah became unimpressed with Fielding 's soundtrack and he hired Quincy Jones to rescore it . Jones was then nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score for his workthe only nomination the film has received .   The Getaway was released on December 13 , 1972 . A box office hit earning over $ 36 million in the United States alone , the film was one of the most financially successful productions of Peckinpah 's and McQueen 's careers , notwithstanding generally negative reception from critics upon its premiere . The film was remade in 1994 , with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger in the starring roles .