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Race With the Devil

Actor(s): Peter Fonda, Warren Oates, Loretta Swit, Lara Parker, R.G. Armstrong
Director(s): Jack Starrett
5

Details

MPAA Rating: PG
Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language
Movie Release: 1975
DVD Release: 06/28/2005
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 28 mins
Studio: Anchor Bay
Members Wishing: 7
Genres: Action, Horror, Chase Movie, Supernatural Horror

Synopsis

This novel fusion of car-chase film and spooky horror became a surprise box-office hit in 1975. The story begins with car enthusiasts Frank (Warren Oates) and Roger (Peter Fonda) taking their wives, Kelly (Lara Parker) and Alice (Loretta Swit), on a vacation in a recreational vehicle. Their camping trip goes horribly awry when Frank and Roger accidentally stumble upon a group of hooded cultists committing a human sacrifice. The cultists give chase and the two couples barely escape with their lives. They go to the local police for help, but the officers can find no evidence to back up the story and send the two couples on their way. As they try to continue their vacation, strange events continue to occur that culminate in four protagonists and their cultist tormentors having a brutal automotive showdown on the open road. The end result of all this genre-hopping suffers from a lightweight approach that downplays the story's darker and more interesting elements, but still manages to deliver plentiful action and a few genuine chills. As a result, Race With the Devil became an unexpected success for 20th Century Fox and remains something of a cult favorite. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide

Cast

Peter Fonda - Roger
Warren Oates - Frank
Loretta Swit - Alice
Lara Parker - Kelly
R.G. Armstrong - Sheriff Taylor

Editorial Review

Anchor Bay proudly presents the 1975 Peter Fonda classic Race with the Devil for the first time on DVD in a packed edition that does justice to this overlooked gem. With a glorious anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen image and Dolby Digital Mono audio track, the transfers are reason enough to buy the disc, never mind the fine work that was done on the bonus features. Starting with moderator Perry Martin's audio commentary with executive producer Paul Maslansky and actress Lara Parker, the DVD goes a long way to let the viewer in on the full story behind the production. From the firing of the initial director and the resulting confusion to the brilliantly pieced together ending, the great behind-the-scenes stories keep on rolling with the "Hell on Wheels" featurette with star Peter Fonda. While the former easy rider might remember some things a bit more rosy-colored than what was discussed on the commentary, it's always good to see Fonda, especially when he's talking about a film that he genuinely has fondness for. Add to that the original theatrical trailer, radio spots, and a massive poster and still gallery, and you've got yourself one fine '70s cult flick given the right treatment by the right people. Anchor Bay also gets commendation for including original theatrical trailers for upcoming releases -- something that greatly expands on the product for enthusiasts. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Member Reviews

S A A. wrote on 11/28/2008...

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Although I am not usually a fan of horror flicks, this one caught my eye once, long ago. Since it struck me as being more of a suspense film than a horror film, omitting the overdone wholesale gore of most other horror movies I'd seen, I ended up watching the whole thing and really liking it. In fact, I have watched it several times since, almost every time it has come up again on TV.

The acting and milieu are very 70's, which is fun. The movie's plot is well laid out and pulls you right in from the start. The scenes lull you with the sunny moments of carefree vacationers, without a care in the world, who repeatedly get sucked into the hyper-anxious world of becoming the hunted prey because of something two of them inadvertently witnessed.

There is a subtle, well-timed rhythm to this movie where the four main characters are chatting easily amongst themselves with banal casualness one moment, only to find themselves drawn back into extreme fear mode, time and again, by an event or a clue that shows they are not safe yet. This give and take is so well done, that you never quite know when to expect danger to rear its ugly head again. The actors are excellent in their roles and the special effects are not overdone, but quite good and very chilling.

Spiced with a good dose of paranoia. If you like to feel that tingle in your spine and your hair rising ever so gently on the back of your neck, this movie is for you.

Jeff V. wrote on 7/30/2008...

2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

The cover art on this might lead you to think it's one of those cheapy b-movies but it's not. Though the subject matter is different the quality is as good as other movies of the time such as Deliverance. It stars Peter Fonda of Easy Rider, Loretta who played Hot Lips on MASH and that actress who played a witch on Dark Shadows actually does a commentary track for this film. The commentary is good on this one as it gives a little insight into what it would have been like to be a famous actor back in the 70s. Now days most horror movies have thier stars going on talk shows and MTV and they are filled with CGI which I think makes it hard to get scared by modern horror films. This is like the movie Duel in that you are able to forget you're watching professional actors and you're able to let yourself be pulled into the film. A lot of films don't hold up well with age but I think this one is as good or better than a lot of horror films made today.