The film presents individuals who openly disregarded governmental authority, legal statutes, and societal norms. Highway 301 is both written and directed by Andrew L. Stone and features Steve Cochran, Virginia Grey, Gaby André, and Edmond Ryan in the cast. William Lava composed the music, and Carl Guthrie handled the cinematography. The narrative draws from events involving a genuine group of thieves known as The Tri-State Gang, who engaged in robberies across North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, and follows their exploits alongside the attempts to apprehend them by law enforcement. The movie begins with three state governors awkwardly promoting what is clearly intended to be a cautionary tale about crime—a “crime doesn’t pay” message film. I was anticipating something like The Star Spangled Banner playing loudly and an FBI version of Uncle Sam appearing on screen, urging viewers to join Crime Stoppers! Fortunately, the awkwardness fades quickly as the film launches into a brutal bank robbery and maintains that momentum throughout. Under the leadership of George Legenza (Cochran), this gang operates without disguises, exhibiting ruthlessness while still making mistakes. They are accompanied by women who seem either unaware of or actively involved in their criminal activities. The atmosphere is tense, and it becomes apparent that women will not be treated kindly—any perceived obstacle or threat will face consequences. Highway 301 is a violent film with unsympathetic characters, and there’s even a possibility of an underlying homosexual connection between two members of the gang. Andrew Stone's direction feels precise and aligns well with the rough personalities portrayed, with very few unnecessary shots included. His structuring of scenes for dramatic effect is also effective; notably, there are no deceptive editing tricks used either. The actors deliver strong performances, particularly Cochran, who gives a commanding yet thoroughly unpleasant portrayal. Carl Guthrie’s photography emphasizes shadows, creating some visually striking nighttime street scenes reminiscent of film noir. However, Stone's script doesn't allow for much exploration of the main characters; the gang members are simply bad and greedy, while the women seem to be searching for purpose or intelligence—and that's as far as we get. It’s the only shortcoming in an otherwise excellent crime movie. 8/10

Source on TMDB