One of King Corman's finest pictures.
Death Race 2000 (1975)
Runtime: 85 mins
Synopsis: More delightfully sick humor from Bartel (EATING RAOUL). In a boorish future, the government sponsors a popular, but bloody, cross-country race in which points are scored by mowing down pedestrians--with bonus points for the elderly! Five teams, each comprised of a male and female,... More delightfully sick humor from Bartel (EATING RAOUL). In a boorish future, the government sponsors a popular, but bloody, cross-country race in which points are scored by mowing down pedestrians--with bonus points for the elderly! Five teams, each comprised of a male and female, compete using cars equipped with deadly weapons. Frankenstein, the mysterious returning champion, has become America's hero, but this time he has a passenger from the underground resistance. A legendary cult film. [More]
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Starring: David Carradine, Sylvester Stallone, Mary Woronov, Roberta Collins, Louisa Moritz
Screenwriter: Robert Thom, Charles B. Griffith
Story: Ib Melchior
Producer: Roger Corman
Composer: Paul Chihara
DVD Info
Release:
Dec 6, 2009
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
- Unspecified - English
Reviews
It has a comic strip premise which is neverthless wholly credible in a sick sort of way.
Overall the movie isn't as synchromeshed as it might be; the rivalry between champions Carradine and Stallone isn't very interesting, and some of the gags aren't sick or funny enough. But it's a great audience film.
Death Race 2000 is as Corman as his B-grade action pics come, with cars flying through the frame, blood spilling behind them, and overnight pit-stops for some sex ("navigators" in each car keep their drivers juiced up).
The story, about a road race in the not-too-distant future for which the drivers are given points for running down pedestrians, becomes an elaborate and telling fantasy about our peculiar popular entertainments. Fine work carved from minimal materials.
Superior drive-in exploitation fare, this violent, campy action flick presents Carradine as Frankenstein, a scarred road warrior in black leather suit and cape.
Script, from an Ib Melchior story, makes its satirical points economically, and director Paul Bartel keeps the film moving quickly.
a must see for so many people - science fiction fans, satirists, action movie buffs, 70s film aficionados and anyone who likes an over-the-top film
...a mindlessly entertaining, thoroughly campy piece of work...
Corman didn't direct the drive-in hit Death Race 2000, but it bears his imprint of economic utilitarianism.
In the end, it reveals itself to have nothing to say beyond the superficial about government or rebellion. And in the absence of such a statement, it becomes what it seems to have mocked -- a spectacle glorifying the car is an instrument of violence.
Related Forums

by: sideburnz 1/27
News
posted by Joe Utichi July 23, 2008
We take a first look at some cool new artwork for Paul W.S. Anderson's Jason Statham-starring latest....
posted by Alex Vo August 09, 2007
Joan Allen, who you recently saw reprising her role as a CIA spook in The Bourne Ultimatum, is teaming up with Universal...
posted by Scott Weinberg July 31, 2007
We already knew that Jason Statham was toplining the new Death Race 2000 remake, but director Paul W.S. Anderson...
posted by Scott Weinberg June 04, 2007
Not too long ago it was supposed to be John Woo and The Rock doing "Spy Hunter" duty. Now it's Paul W.S....


Top Critic

