I watched this movie many moons ago and enjoyed it very much. In todays standards it probably would not rate but even if I saw it today I would still love it, wish I could buy the movie on DVD. This movie is for the romantics at heart! It starts off strange and mean and the whole time your rooting for linda blair character to get away, but towards the middle you find yourself wanting them to get along and be together. Martin sheens character is very strange, but towards the end you love him and understand him. Even though he's supposed to be crazy you want to be like him because he sees the world differently, a kinder world until the end.
31 Reviews
"They were like strangers on a carousel...the ride must always end"
moonspinner5514 January 2001
Martin Sheen gives a rich, rewarding performance in this memorable, underrated television drama. It's rare to find a film simply and honestly built on the budding relationship between just two main characters. Sheen's escaped mental patient and Linda Blair's kidnapped farm girl talk, fight, come to a mutual understanding, and finally become lovers. Sheen spouts poetry to tomboyish Blair, but he grows on her, and she to him. The scenes where they discuss the meaning of words like "symmetry" and "phosphorescence" is charmingly played, and Blair is right in tune with Sheen's reckless, showy abandon. This ABC-TV production, based on Nathaniel Benchley's book "Welcome to Xanadu", is let down a bit by the low budget (as well as by the romantic theme song which plays at the beginning and nearly gives away the plot!), but it has two terrific lead performances and a loose, brisk direction by Lee Philips. "Sweet Hostage" is mighty sweet indeed.
A naive but charming love story
bonscott-220 July 2000
Warning: Spoilers
Back in 1975 Linda Blair was still considered an honest actress. And she proves she just could act (which might not be so certain if you've seen most of the films she made the next decade) in this nice story quite close to "Badlands" ( Terrence Mallick, 1974). Martin Sheen is really convincing in the role of this escapist from a mental institution and his complicity with young Linda Blair makes the film stand its way. The end however is quite easy (Sheen's character committing suicide at the police's arrival followed immediately by the credits as Blair cries over his dead corpse. Anyway it's just a TV film, one can't be too demanding as for a real motion picture!) So, if you like the seventies' spirit and want to see an entertaining tale with two actors who were still at their best, have a look at "Sweet Hostage" (if you can find a copy for it's very rare...)
A good tear-jerker.
ehutson200117 October 2003
One of my all-time favorite movies.
I first saw the movie when it ran on t.v. in 1975. After repeated near-misses, I finally got it on tape almost 20 years later. I was already a Linda Blair fan, and this movie introduced me to Martin Sheen (I still have not seen a bad Martin Sheen movie).
The movie gives a moving portrayal of a hopeless love affair. It's a must-see if you enjoy a good tear-jerker.
I first saw the movie when it ran on t.v. in 1975. After repeated near-misses, I finally got it on tape almost 20 years later. I was already a Linda Blair fan, and this movie introduced me to Martin Sheen (I still have not seen a bad Martin Sheen movie).
The movie gives a moving portrayal of a hopeless love affair. It's a must-see if you enjoy a good tear-jerker.
Childhood movie number 5. Sheen flees the nut farm and meets Miss Blair.
Captain_Couth3 December 2003
Sweet Hostage (1975) boy did they re-run a lot of those 70's television movies. Martin Sheen (looking a lot like his son Charlie) escape the nut house and while he's on the lam kidnaps a young country bumpkin (Linda Blair looking all too innocent). Ol' Marty is shocked to learn that she's in dire need of some education. I liked this movie. A strange made for television film. Good for a change of pace.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Interesting and well made TV movie
The_Void3 April 2008
Sweet Hostage is another excellent example of a seventies made for TV movie. There were a lot of great TV movies made during what is probably the richest decade for great movies, although this one stands out a little from many as it is both feature length and feels every bit like a 'proper' movie, not a made for TV one. The plot focuses on the idea of 'Stockholm Syndrome' and we follow a young girl who is kidnapped by an escaped mental patient but ends up falling in love with him along the way. The film doesn't really appear to have any real point to make, but the way that everything plays out is always interesting and that is mostly thanks to the two lead performances which are excellent throughout. Martin Sheen gives a lively performance as the escaped mental patient and actually manages to make his character realistic in spite of the over the top script. Linda Blair is also very good as the kidnapped young girl and has a good chemistry with Sheen. The film is a little under ambitious and that's a shame as it does feel like more could have been made out of this plot; but what we do end up with is an undoubtedly successful drama and I enjoyed this movie on the whole.
Best Blair/Sheen movie ever!
Carrigon25 August 1999
This is an amazing movie for its time and you can really see the talent of Linda Blair and Martin Sheen in this film. It's about a man who escapes from an asylum and kidnaps a teenage girl. The two of them fall in love, but sadly their love is doomed. It's a story that really stays with you for years. It's well worth watching.
unespected romantic story
petersjoelen10 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Martin sheen is beleiveble as the mental patient who escapes and kidnaps a girl and hide her in the woods where she eventually gets feelings for him .
There will be no happy end in this story but you wish it would .
Sheen and Blair have a good chemestry together and they make the film a joy to watch .
I hoped to get more of a backstory for Sheen's character , but they did not do that and that is a bit of a shame , it would have given the story more depth
I can't forget the Movie
nonamegirl4896892 September 2000
I am a Girl from Germany and I am 15 years old. I have seen "Sweet hostage" ( It is called "Geliebte Geisel" in Germany) few weeks ago( for the first time). And now i cannot forget the movie. It a movie from the seventies, but it is nicer than all movies today. I love Martin Sheens character in this movie and the whole story.Now I am searching photos of the movie (internet), but I cannot find any. I hope I will see the movie again soon. And I know that I won't forget it anymore in my whole life!I just can say: It is a wonderful Movie!
The ultimate male fantasy
PimpinAinttEasy1 April 2019
The ultimate male fantasy. kidnap a beautiful girl, joust with her for a while and then she falls in love with you. MARTIN SHEEN plays a romantic young man who escapes from a mental asylum and kidnaps country cow girl LINDA BLAIR on the way. they shack up in a cabin in the woods. the girl who has problems with her bickering parents begins to fall for her poetry reciting kidnapper. it is a nice breezy romantic comedy that could have been a lot more. maybe SHEEN (who is a terrific actor) wasnt the best actor to play the role. but LINDA BLAIR is simply adorable in her cowboy dress. the film clearly emphasizes its love for the wild and the romantic, beginning with BLAIR's encounter with a rattlesnake early in the film. the cabin in the woods and locales tickle your fantasies. i am curious about the book, the movie is based on. SHEEN acted in two other movies which involved dangerous encounters with teenage girls - BADLANDS and THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE.
(6.5/10)
(6.5/10)
Fine Acting Amidst Cheap And Stagey Plot Development All The Way Through.
Brakathor17 December 2007
I will start off by saying the only reason why I watched this movie is because I wanted too see a teenage Linda Blair, who still hadn't digressed to the cheap schlock of later years. On one hand you could say it is a disappointment that she didn't take on projects with more substance... But when you see a movie like this with so much squandered, it is easy to see why some actors stop caring.
As to the stageyness of the plot, the movie opens with Martin Sheen escaping from a mental asylum of sorts by hiding in a laundry basket. (wow... these clothes sure are heavy today...) It comes off as half convincing but the more you think about it the more you just wanna press the stop button instantly. That Being said... the whole movie is geared towards Linda Blair being soon held hostage by Sheen... But FIRST... he needs a car obviously... which he obtains by walking in someones unlocked door and grabbing the car keys laying on the coffee table. Not stupid enough for you? DO what Michael Moore did and go door to door to try that one. Anyhow.. now he has a car.... and soon he obtains some cash "unexplained to the viewer" and has been hiding out at an abandoned cabin that he stumbled upon, near a small country town where he stalks up on supplies. These 2 points are half plausible I suppose, as everything is with the less explanation given possible, in the hands of a mediocre director. At least now I know who can hook me up with an abandoned cabin, a deranged escaped mental patient, that's who. Cause honestly who wouldn't enjoy a nice vacation house?
As of now, Linda Blair is driving "oh no, my car broke down. Ooo someone has come to help me.... Oh no hes an escaped mental patient." ......as often happens. Fix your cars and your children would have no way of being abducted... like while WALKING. THAT would have been much better and not seem staged as it was here, but what do I know, I didn't go to director school or anything. I'm just a jackass who watches the news occasionally... Anyhow, now shes abducted but she cannot escape, because he dug HOLES around the cabin..... Forget about the roads that lead in and out... And when he leaves, he ties her only by her hands and feet with the door open.... leaving an axe nearby. What could go wrong? Bottom line.... he did not show enough forcefulness in bringing her with him, and she did not show enough resistance.
The only asset that largely eclipses the pathetic plot development is the acting from both main characters. Admitedly I never liked Martin Sheen, but that was likely because the first time i saw him was in "SPAWN" as "Jason Wynn", a horrible misscast. Here he pulls off one of the maddest characters as convincingly as possible, though the many fake voices do become irritating before long. Bottom line; you can't decide whether hes merely extremely eccentric or "totally mad", and the character is thus elevated to being believable amongst the many failed lunatics in cinema, thus saving the film. Martin Sheen's character is virtually a sexless near identical version of Peter Sellers as Clare Quilty in "Lolita", meaning that yes there is no nudity and nothing sexual in this film, being loosely explained with the suggestion that Sheen's character had repressed sexual problems growing up, though his empty excuse; "people place too much importance on sex" basically comes off as; "yeah...i kidnapped you... but we wont have sex because.... its socially unacceptable..." So why did he kidnap her? He wanted some sort of PRODIGY... OK fine we can live with that...
The growing bond and the chemistry between the 2 main characters is well developed and well acted through the dialogue, and it seems very much like they both worked on the script themselves to some degree. The scene with Linda Blair reading her poem to Sheen, followed by his reaction is amazingly touching and almost borough me to tears. As a reference, I am one who willfully seeks out movies containing rape and brutal violence and watches them as casually as eating an apple, but the sappy stuff does it for me too, and Sheens reaction to the poem proves how great an actor he is.
The movie essentially RESTS upon this scene which i find to be a greater movie climax than when it is soon spoiled by another hokey plot sequence where a passing helicopter SEES them, (Gotta watch out for those nosey helicopters) and hours later a huge arsenal of police are there and start shooting at the cabin "knowing that he abducted Blair, a resident of the nearby town, though apparently not caring if they kill her in the process of killing him." Maybe in the south once you've been abducted you're better off dead, I don't know the local customs.
What we're left with is an extremely stupid storyline worth only seeing if you're able to overlook such things and focus on the excellent chemistry development between Blair and Sheen. If however you're looking to see Linda Blair in teeny form, and a decent movie worth hanging onto, search for "born innocent" where she DOES get raped, and the director holds few punches in a situation where sex would be MUCH less expected than in this film.
As to the stageyness of the plot, the movie opens with Martin Sheen escaping from a mental asylum of sorts by hiding in a laundry basket. (wow... these clothes sure are heavy today...) It comes off as half convincing but the more you think about it the more you just wanna press the stop button instantly. That Being said... the whole movie is geared towards Linda Blair being soon held hostage by Sheen... But FIRST... he needs a car obviously... which he obtains by walking in someones unlocked door and grabbing the car keys laying on the coffee table. Not stupid enough for you? DO what Michael Moore did and go door to door to try that one. Anyhow.. now he has a car.... and soon he obtains some cash "unexplained to the viewer" and has been hiding out at an abandoned cabin that he stumbled upon, near a small country town where he stalks up on supplies. These 2 points are half plausible I suppose, as everything is with the less explanation given possible, in the hands of a mediocre director. At least now I know who can hook me up with an abandoned cabin, a deranged escaped mental patient, that's who. Cause honestly who wouldn't enjoy a nice vacation house?
As of now, Linda Blair is driving "oh no, my car broke down. Ooo someone has come to help me.... Oh no hes an escaped mental patient." ......as often happens. Fix your cars and your children would have no way of being abducted... like while WALKING. THAT would have been much better and not seem staged as it was here, but what do I know, I didn't go to director school or anything. I'm just a jackass who watches the news occasionally... Anyhow, now shes abducted but she cannot escape, because he dug HOLES around the cabin..... Forget about the roads that lead in and out... And when he leaves, he ties her only by her hands and feet with the door open.... leaving an axe nearby. What could go wrong? Bottom line.... he did not show enough forcefulness in bringing her with him, and she did not show enough resistance.
The only asset that largely eclipses the pathetic plot development is the acting from both main characters. Admitedly I never liked Martin Sheen, but that was likely because the first time i saw him was in "SPAWN" as "Jason Wynn", a horrible misscast. Here he pulls off one of the maddest characters as convincingly as possible, though the many fake voices do become irritating before long. Bottom line; you can't decide whether hes merely extremely eccentric or "totally mad", and the character is thus elevated to being believable amongst the many failed lunatics in cinema, thus saving the film. Martin Sheen's character is virtually a sexless near identical version of Peter Sellers as Clare Quilty in "Lolita", meaning that yes there is no nudity and nothing sexual in this film, being loosely explained with the suggestion that Sheen's character had repressed sexual problems growing up, though his empty excuse; "people place too much importance on sex" basically comes off as; "yeah...i kidnapped you... but we wont have sex because.... its socially unacceptable..." So why did he kidnap her? He wanted some sort of PRODIGY... OK fine we can live with that...
The growing bond and the chemistry between the 2 main characters is well developed and well acted through the dialogue, and it seems very much like they both worked on the script themselves to some degree. The scene with Linda Blair reading her poem to Sheen, followed by his reaction is amazingly touching and almost borough me to tears. As a reference, I am one who willfully seeks out movies containing rape and brutal violence and watches them as casually as eating an apple, but the sappy stuff does it for me too, and Sheens reaction to the poem proves how great an actor he is.
The movie essentially RESTS upon this scene which i find to be a greater movie climax than when it is soon spoiled by another hokey plot sequence where a passing helicopter SEES them, (Gotta watch out for those nosey helicopters) and hours later a huge arsenal of police are there and start shooting at the cabin "knowing that he abducted Blair, a resident of the nearby town, though apparently not caring if they kill her in the process of killing him." Maybe in the south once you've been abducted you're better off dead, I don't know the local customs.
What we're left with is an extremely stupid storyline worth only seeing if you're able to overlook such things and focus on the excellent chemistry development between Blair and Sheen. If however you're looking to see Linda Blair in teeny form, and a decent movie worth hanging onto, search for "born innocent" where she DOES get raped, and the director holds few punches in a situation where sex would be MUCH less expected than in this film.
Touching Performance and Story!
popnoff200128 June 2004
Back when i first saw this movie I was in the Navy on the USS Enterprise. It was 1978 and I was 18. Very young and impressionable. I had been going thru the usual stuff most people that age go thru. A search for self and something I could believe in. So when they showed this movie on the ships TV I was on watch and sat their mesmerized as the movie progressed. The more i saw it the more i felt completely captivated by the main character martin Sheen played. He represented everything i was feeling and going thru. I felt like and outsider and that no one understood my true self. I found my self in tears and could hardly believe that there was someone who felt the same, even if it was a fictional movie character. I was deeply moved for days and found myself wanting to do everything from go AWOL and run away to commit suicide because there was just no way I could live in the world as I saw it and Martin Sheen saw it in that movie. I have never seen it again and hardly feel it would have any impact on me other than nostalgic but on that night far away on the Pacific Ocean, this TV movie Sweet Hostage was a godsend that I felt was meant to be shown while most the ship slept, I had a deeply spiritual experience. all from a movie! I chuckle now but it was one of my favorites for years until I finally grew up and got jaded and swept away in the typical pursuits of a young man..sex, girls and fast cars! Excellent movie.
Sweet Hostage
BandSAboutMovies18 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Based on Welcome to Xanadu by Nathaniel Benchley, this was the ABC Friday Night Movie for October 10, 1975 and made its way to the CBS Late Movie just two years later. It was directed by former actor Lee Phillips and written by Edward Hume.
It's pretty simple. Leonard Hatch (Martin Sheen) kidnaps Doris Withers (Linda Blair) from the farm that she works on for her family. While he's a mental patient, he ends up treating her better than her family ever did, teaching her and being respectful of her boundaries, but this is also, you know, a movie about a thirty-one-year-old man kidnapping a teenage girl and her having Stockholm syndrome. 1975 was a different time. I mean, Linda Blair was 16 when this was made.
It was a big deal in Japan, where it played theaters and posters had Blair in her nightgown. She didn't want Sheen in the role and would have preferred her then-boyfriend Rick Springfield, but she ended up "falling madly in love" with the twenty-one years older actor, although they didn't have a relationship.
By the end, these two are in love, but Doris' parents and the cops can't leave them alone. It all ends as you would expect a 70s TV movie to end. Blair would go on to Exorcist II: The Heretic while Sheen would make another film where he is a menace to a teenager, The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane.
It's pretty simple. Leonard Hatch (Martin Sheen) kidnaps Doris Withers (Linda Blair) from the farm that she works on for her family. While he's a mental patient, he ends up treating her better than her family ever did, teaching her and being respectful of her boundaries, but this is also, you know, a movie about a thirty-one-year-old man kidnapping a teenage girl and her having Stockholm syndrome. 1975 was a different time. I mean, Linda Blair was 16 when this was made.
It was a big deal in Japan, where it played theaters and posters had Blair in her nightgown. She didn't want Sheen in the role and would have preferred her then-boyfriend Rick Springfield, but she ended up "falling madly in love" with the twenty-one years older actor, although they didn't have a relationship.
By the end, these two are in love, but Doris' parents and the cops can't leave them alone. It all ends as you would expect a 70s TV movie to end. Blair would go on to Exorcist II: The Heretic while Sheen would make another film where he is a menace to a teenager, The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane.
Unforgettable!
David19818 July 2006
I was fortunate to have recorded this film on video many years ago, and it's always a real joy to watch it again.
A literate script, a totally involving storyline, Linda Blair's best-ever performance, and an awesome turn from Martin Sheen, all go to make up one of the best films of the 1970s.
A pity about the slightly OTT music soundtrack and naff song, and the film could have been a little longer. Also the much better book title of 'Welcome to Xanadu' should never have been dumbed down to 'Sweet Hostage'. But these are minor gripes about what is in any sense of the word a masterpiece.
A literate script, a totally involving storyline, Linda Blair's best-ever performance, and an awesome turn from Martin Sheen, all go to make up one of the best films of the 1970s.
A pity about the slightly OTT music soundtrack and naff song, and the film could have been a little longer. Also the much better book title of 'Welcome to Xanadu' should never have been dumbed down to 'Sweet Hostage'. But these are minor gripes about what is in any sense of the word a masterpiece.
A Great Movie
edwinlisley30 October 2006
A synopsis has already been provided by another user.
I just wanted to comment on the film.
Linda Denise Blair and Martin Sheen truly shine in this movie. Based on Welcome to Xandu by Nathaniel Benchley (father of Peter Benchley of Jaws' fame), the movie is funny, cheerful, tense, upsetting, romantic, and tragic.
Linda is my favorite actress of all times, and this is her greatest performance.
It is also Linda at her most beautiful and charming.
Martin puts forth a delightful performance.
The character Leonard Hatch is clearly not an insane man.
He is in all honesty just misunderstood.
Doris Mae is trapped by her narrowed minded parents who aspire to see her remain ignorant and completely uneducated.
Leonard opens her mind and provides Doris Mae, a.k.a Christa Bell, with the beginning of an education and buys her her first dress.
It is my favorite movie of all times!
I just wanted to comment on the film.
Linda Denise Blair and Martin Sheen truly shine in this movie. Based on Welcome to Xandu by Nathaniel Benchley (father of Peter Benchley of Jaws' fame), the movie is funny, cheerful, tense, upsetting, romantic, and tragic.
Linda is my favorite actress of all times, and this is her greatest performance.
It is also Linda at her most beautiful and charming.
Martin puts forth a delightful performance.
The character Leonard Hatch is clearly not an insane man.
He is in all honesty just misunderstood.
Doris Mae is trapped by her narrowed minded parents who aspire to see her remain ignorant and completely uneducated.
Leonard opens her mind and provides Doris Mae, a.k.a Christa Bell, with the beginning of an education and buys her her first dress.
It is my favorite movie of all times!
Who wouldn't want to be kidnapped by Martin Sheen?
allWoRknPlaY689 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
*****************SPOILERS BELOW************************************** First off, "Sweet Hostage" based on the book "Welcome to Xanadu"(not to be confused with the 80's roller movie with Olivia Newton-John), is about a 16 year old country ragamuffin(Linda Blair) who gets kidnapped by an escaped mental patient(Martin Sheen) when her truck breaks down in the middle of the road. He takes her up to an isolated log cabin. She tries to escape quite a few times, but, as always: gets caught. Evetually, she starts to see that this man has a beautiful soul. They soon become lovers.
Now, I saw this movie because I'm a big Linda Blair fan, and I admire Sheen as well. I was mesmerized when I saw this. This is one of very few movies that can suck you in, with just two characters through the film. You won't find TV-movies like this today, which is actually quite sad. Don't let the premise fool you, because this is a pure, touching, funny, tragic movie that does very well without anything racy or too violent.
Linda Blair stars as Doris Mae Withers, a 16 year old farm girl, who got kicked out of school, for punching a teacher. So, her vocabulary isn't the very best. Linda is absolutely amazing in this role. She's adorable at this age, and beautiful when Hatch buys her, her first dress. One scene I found just adorable, is when she starts assuming Sheen's character is a little flamboyant, because he tells her he thought she was a boy at first. The way she presents it is so cute and typical of a 16 year old, who thinks it's the funniest thing in the world. Also a part where she dons a French accent that is the most adorable thing ever. As time goes on, Doris Mae or, know formally know as "Cristabelle" vocabulary, starts to become more gentle and poetic. The last scene of the film, has to be the best acting I've seen from her so far(besides The Exorcist). But, she's a great actress all around. Another scene, I like is when she asks Sheen's character where the bathroom is. Her smart-Alec delivery and tone there always has me laughing.
Martin Sheen is captivating(and, jaw dropping gorgeous) as the kidnapper who's an escaped mental patient with a different but beautiful way of thinking. Although, his condition isn't really focused on, Sheen would be talking as himself one minute, then the next, he would be "Kublah Kahn." Hatch assures Doris Mae that he doesn't want to do anything to her. But at times he does rough her up a bit by, pulling her hair and pushing her around pretty hard. A scene where he expresses anger at her is when he has hiccups that he's pretty mad about having, she tells him to put a paper bag over his head, he reluctantly does, and she comes up and scares him. Resulting, in pushing her against the wall and grabbing her hair in anger. A scene where Sheen really shines(almost a tongue twister, huh?)is when, "Cristabelle" reads a poem she wrote just for him, that moves him to tears. Such a beautiful reaction and scene between the two actors.
I highly recommend this movie. It's touching,poetic, beautiful, funny, romantic, and tragic. 10/10 stars.
Also, apparently Linda fell in love with Martin Sheen over the course of this movie. I don't blame her! Although, he was married but I still think it's cute and sweet.
Now, I saw this movie because I'm a big Linda Blair fan, and I admire Sheen as well. I was mesmerized when I saw this. This is one of very few movies that can suck you in, with just two characters through the film. You won't find TV-movies like this today, which is actually quite sad. Don't let the premise fool you, because this is a pure, touching, funny, tragic movie that does very well without anything racy or too violent.
Linda Blair stars as Doris Mae Withers, a 16 year old farm girl, who got kicked out of school, for punching a teacher. So, her vocabulary isn't the very best. Linda is absolutely amazing in this role. She's adorable at this age, and beautiful when Hatch buys her, her first dress. One scene I found just adorable, is when she starts assuming Sheen's character is a little flamboyant, because he tells her he thought she was a boy at first. The way she presents it is so cute and typical of a 16 year old, who thinks it's the funniest thing in the world. Also a part where she dons a French accent that is the most adorable thing ever. As time goes on, Doris Mae or, know formally know as "Cristabelle" vocabulary, starts to become more gentle and poetic. The last scene of the film, has to be the best acting I've seen from her so far(besides The Exorcist). But, she's a great actress all around. Another scene, I like is when she asks Sheen's character where the bathroom is. Her smart-Alec delivery and tone there always has me laughing.
Martin Sheen is captivating(and, jaw dropping gorgeous) as the kidnapper who's an escaped mental patient with a different but beautiful way of thinking. Although, his condition isn't really focused on, Sheen would be talking as himself one minute, then the next, he would be "Kublah Kahn." Hatch assures Doris Mae that he doesn't want to do anything to her. But at times he does rough her up a bit by, pulling her hair and pushing her around pretty hard. A scene where he expresses anger at her is when he has hiccups that he's pretty mad about having, she tells him to put a paper bag over his head, he reluctantly does, and she comes up and scares him. Resulting, in pushing her against the wall and grabbing her hair in anger. A scene where Sheen really shines(almost a tongue twister, huh?)is when, "Cristabelle" reads a poem she wrote just for him, that moves him to tears. Such a beautiful reaction and scene between the two actors.
I highly recommend this movie. It's touching,poetic, beautiful, funny, romantic, and tragic. 10/10 stars.
Also, apparently Linda fell in love with Martin Sheen over the course of this movie. I don't blame her! Although, he was married but I still think it's cute and sweet.
Love comes from sources unknown.
shortrib17 February 2000
I saw this film over 25 years ago I was very young, but it left a deep impression in my heart, this was a very touching movie that stayed with me for all these years, I only saw this movie that one time, but I never forgot about it, I did however forget the name of the movie, but I never forget the two main characters; Linda Blair and Martin Sheen they were absolutely fabulous. Why did they not make more movies together. I will always keep this movie in my memories. I hope to see it again soon as would like to have a copy of my own to watch whenever I want. Sweet Hostage was and still is Sweet Brilliance!!!!.
Best Film Ever
KEdworthy13 August 2005
I First Watched This film when i was 17 and it was the most moving film i had ever watched it was so good both Linda Blair and Martin Sheen were fantastic in this movie i have tried to purchase this film for years and was told it had been withdrawn from British shops My boyfriend decided to search the net and found a copy from USA for $150 and decided to purchase for me for Xmas last year and again when i watched it it made me laugh and cry it is still the best and was worth the money all my friends agree and even my boyfriend agreed what a good film it is all i can say is if you haven't seen it try and get it cause i am sure you will love it as much as me.....
we need more grammar Nazis
lee_eisenberg23 March 2015
The 1970s brought a number of things: disco, disaster movies, and the rise of televangelists. But the Me Decade also brought about a revolution in prime time. Not only did series like "All in the Family" and "Sanford and Son" debut, but movies started getting made for TV. One of these was "Sweet Hostage", based on Nathaniel Benchley's "Welcome to Xanadu". Martin Sheen plays an escaped mental patient who kidnaps a farm girl (Linda Blair), and the two of them develop a relationship. Their roles are reversed from what you might expect: he's a worldly guy while she can barely read and has no prospects in life. To be certain, he often corrects her grammar.
It was interesting seeing Linda Blair in a role very different from the one with which she's most associated. At a Wizard World convention last year I got her autograph. She's a really nice person. Martin Sheen had just played a delinquent in Terrence Malick's "Badlands", so this wasn't a totally new role for him. Both do a great job with the characters. I really liked the scene where Sheen's character and the Indian do the Vulcan salute; that scene now feels like a tribute to Leonard Nimoy.
Nathaniel Benchley was the father of "Jaws" author Peter Benchley, and it turns out that Nathaniel Benchley's father was also a noted author. The director, Lee Philips, had directed a completely different kind of TV movie the previous year: "The Stranger Within", starring Barbara Eden as a woman who inexplicably becomes pregnant and then starts behaving very strangely (it had to be the only movie in which Barbara Eden looks terrifying).
All in all, I thought that this was a good movie. I wish that more movies got filmed in New Mexico. I really liked it when I spent spring break there in 2002. And above all, please remember to use correct grammar ("if I had done X yesterday", NOT "if I did X yesterday" or "if I would have done X yesterday").
It was interesting seeing Linda Blair in a role very different from the one with which she's most associated. At a Wizard World convention last year I got her autograph. She's a really nice person. Martin Sheen had just played a delinquent in Terrence Malick's "Badlands", so this wasn't a totally new role for him. Both do a great job with the characters. I really liked the scene where Sheen's character and the Indian do the Vulcan salute; that scene now feels like a tribute to Leonard Nimoy.
Nathaniel Benchley was the father of "Jaws" author Peter Benchley, and it turns out that Nathaniel Benchley's father was also a noted author. The director, Lee Philips, had directed a completely different kind of TV movie the previous year: "The Stranger Within", starring Barbara Eden as a woman who inexplicably becomes pregnant and then starts behaving very strangely (it had to be the only movie in which Barbara Eden looks terrifying).
All in all, I thought that this was a good movie. I wish that more movies got filmed in New Mexico. I really liked it when I spent spring break there in 2002. And above all, please remember to use correct grammar ("if I had done X yesterday", NOT "if I did X yesterday" or "if I would have done X yesterday").
Love can be sweet
Leah-1817 May 1999
My daughter and I saw this movie on a rainy Saturday afternoon. We couldn't take our eyes off of this story. All, I want to say is, that we now own this movie and just about everyone we know has seen it. I will never forget the love between two people, that didn't seen to fit in this world. Martin Sheen, is the best actor, I have ever seen. This movie is the best, in my book. I think everyone should watch this movie. I have a lot of Martin Sheen's movie, but this is number one.
The Sweetest, Saddest Love Story Ever!
Roxy645 August 1999
I saw this movie for the first time as a young teenager and fell "in love" with Martin Sheen. The story was excellent and touching. I loved the "exchanges" between the characters and no matter how many times I saw it, I still cried! This is still probably my all-time favorite movie. It's the one that I will always scan the TV guide for to see if it's playing somewhere! A must see movie for romantics at heart, Martin Sheen or Linda Blair fans.
Gotta love this cast!
kccollins_231 August 2012
I was nervous when this movie was shown on T.V. in the 70s. I had only seen Martin Sheen and Linda Blair in one one other film. Linda Blair in the Exorcist, and Sheen in Badlands.
Sheen scared me silly in Badlands, and I remember sitting down and hoping not to be scared. Well not only did Martin Sheen scare me, he enchanted me, and made me fall in love with him.
He and Linda Blair gave the best performances I had ever seen in a made for t.v. movie EVER! And after seeing this film again for the first time in nearly 40 years, I still loved it! My only complaint is the cheesy 70s soundtrack, but consider this was 1975. If you get a chance to watch this...DO IT!
Sheen scared me silly in Badlands, and I remember sitting down and hoping not to be scared. Well not only did Martin Sheen scare me, he enchanted me, and made me fall in love with him.
He and Linda Blair gave the best performances I had ever seen in a made for t.v. movie EVER! And after seeing this film again for the first time in nearly 40 years, I still loved it! My only complaint is the cheesy 70s soundtrack, but consider this was 1975. If you get a chance to watch this...DO IT!
Yep, that's how I remember it!
tracy-27514 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
What a treat to see this wonderfully sweet movie after all these years! I was 12 when it first came out. I'm 45 now, and saw the movie, just a few minutes ago, with new eyes.
Martin is AMAZING in this. Brilliant! And, drop dead gorgeous! Any school girl, or a 45 year old's dream come true! Romantic as hell, in a tasteful manner.
Linda looks lovely, and gives a wonderful performance. What a refreshing role from "other" role she did before this one.
One complaint: The ending was too short and abrupt. Good ending, but they should of added at least another five minutes to it.
Second complaint: We really aren't properly introduced to Leonard. Why was he in a mental hospital? Why did his marriage end, or had it? What was he planning on doing in a cabin in the mountains of New Mexico? Live out his days in peace, or end it?
Looking back, the movie, or "Kubla Khan" couldn't of ended any other way. And, as already wisely noted, Leonard really couldn't live in this world. But, he changed someone's life along the way.
Truly one of the 1970's very best!
Martin is AMAZING in this. Brilliant! And, drop dead gorgeous! Any school girl, or a 45 year old's dream come true! Romantic as hell, in a tasteful manner.
Linda looks lovely, and gives a wonderful performance. What a refreshing role from "other" role she did before this one.
One complaint: The ending was too short and abrupt. Good ending, but they should of added at least another five minutes to it.
Second complaint: We really aren't properly introduced to Leonard. Why was he in a mental hospital? Why did his marriage end, or had it? What was he planning on doing in a cabin in the mountains of New Mexico? Live out his days in peace, or end it?
Looking back, the movie, or "Kubla Khan" couldn't of ended any other way. And, as already wisely noted, Leonard really couldn't live in this world. But, he changed someone's life along the way.
Truly one of the 1970's very best!
One of my all time favorite movies.
kasadale29 April 2004
I actually did not see this movie in 1975 but happened on it years later. That seems like a miracle now considering it certainly is never shown on T.V. anymore. I really got lucky then because for some reason I decided at the last minute to record it. Not knowing at the time how much I would love it, I had recorded it on an old tape on a raggedy VCR. To try and watch it now is really a strain, and I've tried everywhere to find another copy. Even a couple of years ago I showed my young teenage daughter the movie and now it continues to be one of her favorites. Sheen's dialogue in the movie was spellbounding and he performed it so from the heart...it is really hard to put this performance into words. I was so happy to find that there are actually other people out there who also love and appreciate this great film. I love it!!!!!!!
Linda Blair's Doris Mae is a tv hostage worth loving!
Stanbabe7 June 2003
In her second tv movie performance.Ms.Blair plays another tough character.Whose hard edge demenor is changed by a misunderstood mential patient.In this tv movie adaptation of the book:"Welcome To Xanadu".An escapee from a Boston,Ma.mential hospital"Lenny Hatch"(Martin Sheen)heads for New Mexico.Where he captures a teenage farm girl:"Doris Mae Withers"(Ms.Blair).At first,Ms.Blair is perturbed at being held prisoner by this nut.But after a time..she begins to see this supposedly unstable man as a charming..well educated,funny but confused person.Who is more suspicious of authoritative people rather than being a threat to anyone.He not only teaches Mr.Blair's ignorant farm girl basic lessions.He also shows her how to love people and how to love herself.Both Ms.Blair and Mr.Sheen give the best performances of their careers.It's too bad that they didn't get another chance to work again.One can only imagine what those two can do onscreen now?
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