Death Race 2000
Seen it?1975 | 80 min | Action, Science Fiction, Comedy
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (81% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 27 times its budget, though it had a lukewarm 6.2 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh, sci-fi fans and action fans. If you loved Mad Max: Fury Road, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny, mind-bending.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 20 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Made in 1975: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In a boorish future, the government sponsors a popular, but bloody, cross-country race in which points are scored by mowing down pedestrians. Five teams, each comprised of a male and female, compete using cars equipped with deadly weapons. Frankenstein, the mysterious returning champion, has become America's hero, but this time he has a passenger from the underground resistance.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.2 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$8 million worldwide on a $300K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 164K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Death Race
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Cast & crew
Directed by Paul Bartel
- David CarradineFrankenstein
- Simone GriffethAnnie Smith
- Sylvester StalloneMachine Gun Joe Viterbo
- Mary WoronovCalamity Jane
- Roberta CollinsMatilda the Hun
- Martin KoveNero the Hero
- Louisa MoritzMyra
- Don SteeleJunior Bruce
- Joyce JamesonGrace Pander
- Carle BensenHarold