Brewster McCloud **** (1970, Bud Cort, Sally Kellerman, Shelley Duvall, René Auberjonois, John Schuck, Michael Murphy, Stacy Keach, Charles Durning) – Classic Movie Review 6,478

Bud Cort stars as a likeably strange, owlish young man who learns to fly with his man-made wings inside the Houston Astrodome, Texas, in director Robert Altman’s appealing 1970 film oddity Brewster McCloud.

Bud Cort stars as the likeably strange Brewster McCloud who learns to fly with his man-made wings inside the Houston Astrodome, Texas, in this appealing 1970 oddity from director Robert Altman.

It is easy to enjoy Altman’s attractively offbeat  American black comedy movie Brewster McClou, which is an always interesting and usually highly amusing cult item. After soaring along nicely, it finally does take flight. Just in time, perhaps, because the police are surrounding the dome.

Cort gives a very strong turn, and Altman’s regular repertory company gang of good guys are here on soaring form: Sally Kellerman, Shelley Duvall, René Auberjonois and John Schuck.

Brewster McCloud is directed by Robert Altman, runs 105 minutes, is made by Lion’s Gate Films, is released by MGM, is written by Doran William Cannon, is shot in Metrocolor by Lamar Boren and Jordan Cronenweth, is produced by Lou Adler and John Phillips, and is scored by Gene Page.

It was released by MGM on December 5, 1970.

The precious Margaret Hamilton ((1902–1985) plays Daphne Heap.

Also in the cast are Michael Murphy, Stacy Keach, Charles Durning, William Windom, Margaret Hamilton (as Daphne Heap), Jennifer Salt, Corey Fischer, G Wood, Bert Remsen, Dean Goss, Bill Baldwin Sr, Angelina Johnson, Gary Chason, Amelia Parker, Pearl Chason, Dixie Taylor, Ronnie Camack, Thomas Danko, Keith V Erickson, Robert Warner, Verdie Henshaw and Ellis Gilbert.

Shelley Duvall’s apartment has a poster for Altman’s MASH (1970).

Bud Cort aka Walter Edward Cox (March 29, 1948 – February 11, 2026). 

Bud Cort died of pneumonia at an assisted living facility in Norwalk, Connecticut, on 11 February 2026, aged 77.

He was nominated for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award for Harold and Maude (1971).

He appeared in Robert Altman’s MASH (1970) and then starred in Brewster McCloud.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6,478

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