Search - Escape 2000 on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1981 DVD Release: 10/21/2003 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Restored/Remastered Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 33 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 5 Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Action Thriller, Sci-Fi Action

This grim, violent Australian production is an artless mishmash incorporating elements of The Road Warrior, 1984 , and The Most Dangerous Game. The story is set in a dystopian future society where all "deviants" (i.e. anyone whose ideas don't jive with those of the government) are interred in nightmarish re-education camps where they are tortured, beaten, raped and put to death -- mostly on the whim of the psychotic commandant (Michael Craig). Periodically, a handful of particularly defiant inmates will be released unarmed to be hunted down (for the entertainment of the elite) in a free-for-all "Turkey Shoot" (the film's original Australian title). Among the latest batch of potential targets are strong-willed Steve Railsback and Olivia Hussey, who are confronted in the wilderness by the commandant and his goofy mutant cronies -- all of whom carry rocket-launchers, exploding arrows, and flamethrowers. This entire exercise is basically a prolonged excuse for a plethora of cheap, splattery makeup effects, made far more unpleasant by the blatant sadism of the proceedings. Unsuspecting viewers exposed to this film may wish to follow with My Brilliant Career to restore their faith in Australian cinema. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Steve Railsback - Paul Anders
Olivia Hussey - Chris Walters
Michael Craig - Charles Thatcher
Carmen Duncan - Jennifer
Noel Ferrier - Mallory

Anyone who picks Escape 2000 on DVD is likely to be a hardened exploitation film fan. Anchor Bay was obviously aware of this when they picked up this property and has accordingly assembled a package for their DVD of Escape 2000 that will delight this core audience. The transfer is excellent: The image, restored to all its scope-format glory, has all the vibrant color of a good comic book, and a new Dolby remix adds plenty of crash-boom-bang to the film's soundtrack. Schlock addicts will be happy to know that the ten minutes of footage cut for the American release is included in the print used here. In the supplemental area, Anchor Bay has conjured up a surprising array of extras for this title. Director Brian Trenchard-Smith contributes an energetic commentary track that mixes trivia and production anecdotes in a clear-eyed, self-deprecating style. He also appears in a quick ten-minute interview and three cast members appear in another; both shorts are much more interesting than the usual puff pieces that pass for making-of documentaries because they dish the dirt on Escape 2000's troubled production history and everyone involved brings an amusingly irreverent tone to the proceedings. The disc is rounded out by an eye-popping gallery of stills and posters, a pair of alternative title sequences, and the screenplay (a DVD-ROM extra). All in all, Anchor Bay's edition of Escape 2000 is the best way to get acquainted with this film's schlocky charms. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide