Thriller,Action
United Kingdom
Figures in a Landscape is a 1970 British thriller directed by Joseph Losey and based on the novel by Barry England. The movie stars Robert Shaw and Malcolm McDowell as two escaped convicts who are relentlessly pursued by a mysterious black helicopter as they make their way across the harsh landscape of an unspecified wilderness.
At the beginning of the film, the two men, known only as Ansell and MacConnachie, manage to escape from a brutal prison camp, but soon find themselves on the run from the police and military forces of the oppressive regime that rules the country. As they try to evade their pursuers and make their way to freedom, they are constantly shadowed by the black helicopter, which seems to be controlled by an unseen enemy who has a personal vendetta against them.
The helicopter becomes a symbol of the omnipotent power of the state, as it swoops down to attack the two men at every opportunity, forcing them to take desperate measures to survive. As they struggle to stay alive in the hostile environment, Ansell and MacConnachie form a deep bond, relying on each other for protection and support.
The movie is notable for its intense action sequences and stunning cinematography, which captures the rugged beauty of the landscape and the fear and desperation of the two protagonists. It is also a powerful allegory about the nature of power and oppression, and the way that those in authority can use fear and intimidation to control others.
