The conception and execution are top-notch low-budget trash.
Death Race 2000 (1975)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 28
Fresh: 23
Rotten:5
Average Rating: 6.6/10
Consensus: Death Race 2000 is a fun, campy classic, drawing genuine thrills from its mindless ultra-violence.
Runtime: 85 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
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!... 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]
Starring: David Carradine, Sylvester Stallone, Mary Woronov, Roberta Collins
Starring: David Carradine, Sylvester Stallone, Mary Woronov, Roberta Collins, Louisa Moritz
Director: Paul Bartel
Director: Paul Bartel
Screenwriter: Robert Thom, Charles B. Griffith
Story: Ib Melchior
Producer: Roger Corman
Composer: Paul Chihara
DVD Info
Reviews for Death Race 2000
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).
It has a comic strip premise which is neverthless wholly credible in a sick sort of way.
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
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.
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.
Latest News for Death Race 2000
September 26, 2008:
RT Interview: Jason Statham Chats Death Race, Crank 2 and The Sweeney
RT catches up with Jason Statham to learn more about the Death Race and grill him on upcoming turns in Crank 2, Transporter 3 and the possibility of an appearance in Nick Love's... More...
August 22, 2008:
Review Revue: Pick Your Poison -- Death Race, House Bunny, Rocker and Longshots
Smart moviegoers know some months you just don't need to try that hard in keeping up with new releases. January's one of those months. Sometimes September. And August definitely... More...
August 22, 2008:
13 Years Later, Anderson's Death Race Reaches the Finish Line ![]()
More than a decade after he got the thumbs up from Roger Corman, Paul W.S. Anderson's Death Race 2000 update is finally reaching theaters -- and according to Corman, the new... More...
July 23, 2008:
Exclusive: Death Race International Poster Revealed
We take a first look at some cool new artwork for Paul W.S. Anderson's Jason Statham-starring latest. More...
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by: sideburnz 1/27
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