Oklahoma Crude (film)

Oklahoma Crude is a 1973 American Western comedy film directed by Stanley Kramer and starring George C. Scott, Faye Dunaway, and John Mills. Set in 1920s Oklahoma, the film tells the story of Lena Doyle (Dunaway), a fiercely independent woman who owns a potentially oil-rich plot of land and refuses to sell to Standard Oil. She hires Cleon (Scott), a hard-drinking, brawling drifter, to help her drill for oil and protect her property from the oil company's relentless attempts to intimidate her.

The film explores themes of female empowerment, corporate greed, the changing American landscape, and the clash between traditional values and modern industry. Lena Doyle's character is portrayed as a strong and unconventional woman challenging the patriarchal society of the time. The narrative follows their often-comedic and sometimes-violent struggles against the machinations of Standard Oil, represented by the antagonist Hellman (Jack Palance).

The film's title references both the setting of Oklahoma and the valuable crude oil being sought after. Though not a critical darling upon release, Oklahoma Crude has been recognized for its performances, particularly Dunaway's, and its depiction of a specific period in American history. The film received two Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Sound.