Highway 40 West (1981): cast, story & where to watch
1981 · Film
Released in 1981, Highway 40 West is a notable film directed by Hartmut Bitomsky.
What it’s about. "Highway 40 West" (1980/81) is the first of a series of documentaries by Hartmut Bitomsky (born 1942 in Bremen) which brought him international fame. Each of these films is dedicated to both, a specific and title-giving object and its historical-critical analysis. Such as in "Highway 40 West": For a time span of 169 minutes, the film shows Bitomsky’s emblematic US-road trip with a rented car on the eponymous road number 40, crossing the country from East to West. From early travel routes of the "Native Americans" to the trails of early colonizers, this street is loaded with American history - and with the present ruins of the American dream, which Bitomsky indulgingly captures on film. He himself appears as actor/author, conducting innumerable interviews, shooting the landscape, the diners and hotels - and his sonorous narrator’s voice reviews what is seen, and tries to understand and make it understandable.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Highway 40 West page.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Highway 40 West (1981)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Highway 40 West change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- When was Highway 40 West released?
- Highway 40 West was released in 1981.