While Paul W.S. Anderson’s DEATH RACE has its cheesy charms, it’s no match in any way for Paul Bartel’s out-of-control 1975 original starring David Carradine, Sylvester Stallone, Simone Griffeth, Mary Woronov, Roberta Collins and Martin Kove. Roger Corman produced, of course, and it’s a masterpiece of nasty nihlism, biting satire and smashing violence. Sure, it’s dated a bit now, but the entertainment value is still there in spades. (It’s a must see for Sly Stallone’s over-the-top performance alone.)
Welcome to the year 2000, a bleak and politically oppressive world plagued by immorality and political unrest. The only thing that appeases the population is the three-day Transcontinental Death Race, a high-speed, coast-to-coast competition which is won by the driver who racks up the most points by killing spectators, pedestrians and other unlucky passers-by.
This year, however, the Death Race drivers have something more to worry about than getting killed by the other contestants: A covert faction of Anti-Race revolutionaries bent on putting the brakes on Death Race for good. When they say “Speed kills” – they’re not kidding!
Here are the special features for the Blu-Ray, which hits on JUNE 22:
* David on Death Race: A brief look back from star David Carradine recorded in 2008
* Audio commentary with Roger Corman and Mary Woronov
* New audio commentary with assistant director Lewis Teague and editor Tina Hirsch
* Playing the Game: Looking Back at “Death Race 2000”
* Ready to Wear: In-depth interview costume designer Jane Ruhm on her inventive work for this film and other Roger Corman classics
* Designing Dystopia!: A detailed look at the film’s futuristic landscapes and now-classic race cars with co-art director B.B. Neel, car designer James Powers and car constructor Dean Jeffries.
* Start Your Engine!: How the world of Death Race 2000 came to life, interview with original story creator Ib Melchior
* Killer Score: An all-new interview with composer Paul Chihara on the creation of the film’s eclectic score, which was also his first feature film composition.
* Leonard Maltin interviews Roger Corman about Death Race 2000
* Original theatrical trailer
* Original theatrical trailer with commentary by filmmaker John Landis, courtesy of trailersfromhell.com
* Collectible 12-page booklet
* New World trailers
Awesome, no? Never before has a movie about the wanton slaughter of innocents for comedic effect been so lovingly restored, at least not that I can think of. To pre-order you copy of DEATH RACE 2000 on Blu-Ray, click right HERE.
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