Synopsis
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.
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Cast
- 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
Recommendations
- 91
The A.V. Club
It’s all ridiculous and occasionally surreal, but Bartel never loses sight of the unpleasantness; when these cartoons explode, they don’t get to place any more orders with the Acme company. They just die. - 90
IGN
As a genre picture, and as a nugget of pure unadulterated cult entertainment, Death Race 2000 is one of the best around. - 80
Empire
A distinctively crass, hugely enjoyable sick satire from director Paul Bartel, working for uber-producer Roger Corman – allegedly, Bartel kept thinking up more and wilder jokes, while Corman insisted more and more people got run over. - 75
Rolling Stone
The All-American imagery, coexisting with occasional shots of swastikas and socially-sanctioned cruelty, give it the feel of a surreal, funny fever dream about national purpose gone horribly awry. - 67
Entertainment Weekly
Death Race 2000 isn’t the sharp satire Corman thinks it is, but it’s fun. - 63
Slant Magazine
Death Race is a maladroit but exuberantly gamey mix of social commentary and blue-collar goofiness. - 60
Time Out
Overall the movie isn't as synchromeshed as it might be; the rivalry between champions Carradine and Stallone isn't very interesting, and some of the gags aren't sick or funny enough. But it's a great audience film. - 60
TV Guide Magazine
Superior drive-in exploitation fare.
