Death Race 2000 [1975] [DVD]

I've ridiculed many a Roger Corman film in my time, but I have nothing but love for his 1975 B-movie triumph Death Race 2000 (although, to be fair, most of the credit should go to director Paul Bartel). In this brilliant black comedy satire, Corman gives us what we want - fast cars, hot naked gals, and lots of glorified violence, not to mention brilliant performances by David Carradine and a pre-Rambo Sylvester Stallone - and all with a budget of only 300 grand.

In this futuristic vision of the year 2000, America has devolved into something of a fascist police state called the United Provinces, ruled from overseas by Mr. President (Sandy McCallum) who, like all good dictators, has established an external outlet for whatever bloodlust, anger, and general discontent that may exist among the populace. Enter the Transcontinental Road Race, better known as the Death Race. Now in its 20th iteration, this fierce competition pits the greatest, most fearless drivers in the land racing from New York to New Los Angeles. Lest any visions of Cannonball Run threaten to run your head, know this: the beauty of the Death Race is the fact that extra points are awarded for any and all innocent spectators you kill along the way, with children and seniors bringing in the most points (if you don't think this is great fun, you haven't played any of the games in the Carmageddon series, which count among my favorite games of all time).

This year's contestants are Nero the Hero, Matilda the Hun (with Representative Fred "Gopher" Grandy as her navigator Herman the German), Calamity Jane Kelly, Machine-Gun Joe Viterbo (Sylvester Stallone), and the fan favorite, Frankenstein (David Carradine). Frankenstein is something of a mystery man, his mask and cowl hiding a body that has had more parts replaced than your grandfather's beat-up old pickup. He and Machine-Gun Joe are bitter rivals, but this year the greatest threat Frankenstein faces is a plot by the Resistance, led by Thomasina Paine (Harriet Medin), to put an end to the barbaric race once and for all (using - wouldn't you know it? - barbaric methods of their own).

From euthanasia day at the hospital to the wickedly tripped-out cars designed for human carnage as well as speed, Death Race 2000 is a tour de force of B-movie entertainment. The sociopolitical statement the film makes is also very real and important, but I'll leave the interpretation of all that to the individual viewer. Carradine's amazing, Stallone's a brilliant bonus, the supporting cast make hay with even the smallest of parts (The Real Don Steele, anyone?), and Simone Griffeth is fun to watch both in and out of her clothes (and I haven't even mentioned the whole French Air Force thing). Death Race 2000 is the epitome of cult classic.

Although the effects aren't great, and nor is the acting, this film has what many lack - fun. it is entertaining for the duration of the movie, and its an original idea. definitely worth seeing.

Death Race 2000 was recommended to me by a friend who said that it was a similar film to Rollerball. It is not similar at all, apart from the emotionally cold distopian setting and a desensitised, almost comic, attitude to extreme violence. Rollerball is a dark masterpiece, DR2000 is a fun throwaway classic. The film is very amateurishly made, but that's most of it's charm.

The setting of DR2000 is a futuristic society in the year 2000. Mr President keeps the emotionally cold population of America happy by running the Annual Transcontinental Death Race across America. Champions Frankenstein, Machine Gun Joe Viterbo (young Sylvester Stallone) and Calamity Jane compete to acquire the most points and win the game. Meanwhile rebel forces try to sabotage the race and destroy the president's rein. It's far too clumsy to work as a social satire, but it's still a very memorable and enjoyable film. DR2000 has been frequently compared to an adult version of Wacky Races, and it's easy to see why. You get ludicrous characters with silly names driving sillier cars, big explosions, and bad acting. Some parts seem to be stolen directly from a Roadrunner cartoon.

Death Race 2000 is one of the best exploitation films of the 1970's. The horrifying idea of running over pedestrians for points has now passed into legend, and the whole high camp look of this film - the unreal bright red paint for blood, the 70's porn funk soundtrack, the sped up shots of cars fitted with horns, spikes and go faster stripes rushing past the camera make this the greatest B movie ever made. It's not in the least subtle, but it's excellent entertainment, and I will never tire of watching this film. At only 78 minutes long it's a great movie to stick on with friends while waiting to go out and get some good laughs, without outstaying it's welcome. If you want thoughtful sci fi satire - steer clear. However if you enjoy entertaining 1970's sci fi films like Westworld, or the Omega Man, or if you want some dumb 1970's low budget thrills then you can't go wrong with Death Race 2000.