May 29th, 2011: Death Race 2000 (1975)

Cast and Crew:   Paul Bartel (Director); Ib Melchior (Story); Charles B. Griffith (Screenwriter); Roger Corman (Producer); Don Steele, Fred Grandy

What It’s About: In the far future of the year 2000, America is a totalitarian state run by Mr. President (Sandy McCallum).  To keep the people entertained (and keep the population down), a transcontinental Death Race is held each year.  Colorful drivers like Calamity Jane (Mary Woronov), Matilda the Hun (Roberta Collins), Nero the Hero (Martin Kove), and Machine Gun Joe Viterbo (Sylvester Stallone) drive across the country, racking up points by running down pedestrians along the way.  Frankenstein (David Carradine) is by far the most popular and longest lived driver almost completely rebuilt after many crashes.  This year’s Death Race will not be a smooth one, with revolutionaries led by Thomasina Paine (Harriet Medin) attacking the drivers and infiltrating the ranks of the race itself… 

Why Watch it Today?: Today is the 10oth Anniversary Indianapolis 500.  Why not take a break from the slog that is the Indy 500 for this classic satire of America’s obsession with the automobile, racing, and politics?

Where to Get It:  Netflix (Rental) or Amazon


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