Highway 40 West
1981, German. Directed by Hartmut Bitomsky.
"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.
- Runtime
- 2h 50m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- German
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch Highway 40 West
Highway 40 West isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 20 December 1981.
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Cast & crew
Details
- Released
- 20 December 1981
- Written by
- Hartmut Bitomsky
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News & fan talk
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Highway 40 West: quick answers
Is Highway 40 West worth watching?
Highway 40 West doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is Highway 40 West?
Highway 40 West runs 170 minutes (2h 50m).
Does Highway 40 West have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Highway 40 West. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Highway 40 West parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Highway 40 West yet.
Which OTT platform is Highway 40 West on?
Highway 40 West isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 20 December 1981. (Checked 11 November 2026.)
What movies are like Highway 40 West?
If you liked Highway 40 West, try As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty, 28 Up, McQueen.
Who directed Highway 40 West?
Highway 40 West (1981) was directed by Hartmut Bitomsky.