Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1975
Director: Paul Bartel
Writers: Ib Melchior, Robert Thom, Charles B. Griffith
Cast: David Carradine, Simone Griffeth, Sylvester Stallone, Mary Woronov, Roberta Collins, Martin Kove, Louisa Moritz, John Landis, Paul Bartel

DVD released: June 22nd, 2010
Approximate running time: 78 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: R
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Shout! Factory
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.98

If you’ve never seen this film, you must seriously ask yourself, “Why not?”.

This is quite seriously one of the greatest cult movies of all time. If you have seen it on TV, VHS or prior DVD versions, this is the way it was meant to be seen.

If not, here’s the formula. You take an obscure anti-violence sci-fi short story by Ib Melchior, published in the October 1956 issue of Escapade men’s magazine (you know, with naked ladies). Add script writers Robert Thom (Wild In The Streets, Bloody Mama) and Charles Griffith (Bucket of Blood, Wild Angels); director Paul Bartel (Private Parts, Eating Raoul) for the shear insanity of it all and Charles (Chuck) Griffith as the explosive action director [for much more of the car action, check out Hollywood Boulevard]. Then one of the most amazing casts ever assembled: David Carradine (Kung Fu, Kill Bill) and Roberta Collins (Unholy Rollers, Caged Heat) quite honestly steal the show, while Sylvester Stallone spits out every line. The Real Don Steele (who released a single ‘Tina Delgado Is Alive And Well’) is patently obnoxious (someone should throw a radio in his hot tub – see Eating Raoul). The list goes on and on because everyone is great, including [director] John Landis as a quick 20 points.

The DVD:

This is a special edition with two audio commentaries and lots and lots of extras, but I have to ask, “Where are the subtitles?”. Otherwise it’s a no brainer (the purchase, not the movie).

Comparison: New Concorde vs. Shout! Factory