Monte Hellman is, for many fans and critics, the underrated Grand Seigneur of American independent cinema. His films are still regarded in industry circles as both a curiosity and a fascination. For one of his prominent admirers, Quentin Tarantino, the filmmaker is nothing less than Hollywood's best-kept secret. Indeed, Hellman's work is largely unknown to the general movie-going public. However, in selected cinemas, at various festivals, and during retrospectives held worldwide in his honor—where classics like The Shooting or Two-Lane Blacktop are screened—these films still provoke contrasting reactions: from bewilderment to discomfort to sheer enthusiasm. However, these films never leave the viewer indifferent; they often polarize and always guarantee a unique cinematic experience.