Death Race 2000 (1975)

85% of critics liked it
(33 reviews)
60% of users liked it
(24,131 ratings)

Cult hero Paul Bartel directed this low-budget satire in which America's passion for cars, violence, and sporting events are finally brought together in one convenient package. In the not-so-distant future, the United States has become a totalitarian regime overseen by the charming but sinister Mr.… More Cult hero Paul Bartel directed this low-budget satire in which America's passion for cars, violence, and sporting events are finally brought together in one convenient package. In the not-so-distant future, the United States has become a totalitarian regime overseen by the charming but sinister Mr. President (Sandy McCallum), who, in order to satisfy the masses' need for entertainment (and to quench their thirst for violence), has created a new national sport -- the Death Race, a nationwide road rally in which the winner is not determined by who finishes first, but by who scores the most points along the way by running over hapless pedestrians. Aspiring champions Machine Gun Joe Viterbo (Sylvester Stallone), Calamity Jane (Mary Woronov), Nero the Hero (Martin Kove), and Matilda the Hun (Roberta Collins) are all looking to take the top honors away from Frankenstein (David Carradine), a half-man/half-machine who has been built to be the best racer on Earth and can outrun and outkill anyone on the circuit. However, not everyone likes the Death Race, and revolutionary leader Thomasina Paine (Harriet Medin) wants to sabotage the event in the name of restoring democracy; her plan is to foil Frankenstein's expected victory by smuggling her daughter Annie (Simone Griffeth) into Frankenstein's race car as his navigator. Featuring David Carradine at the height of his Kung Fu fame (and Sylvester Stallone a year before Rocky), Death Race 2000 was a major drive-in hit in 1975; Bartel and Carradine teamed up for another road race movie, Cannonball, a year later, and a semi-sequel, Death Sport, appeared in 1978. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 18 min.
Directed By: Paul Bartel
Written By: Robert Thom, Charles B. Griffith
Genres: Action & Adventure, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Apr 1, 1975 Wide
On DVD: Jul 13, 2010
Studio: New World Pictures

Critic Reviews

Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly
Behold the power of cheese!
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The story, about a road race in the not-too-distant future for which the drivers are given points for running down pedestrians, becomes an elaborate and telling fantasy about our peculiar popular entertainments. Fine work carved from minimal materials.
, Variety
Script, from an Ib Melchior story, makes its satirical points economically, and director Paul Bartel keeps the film moving quickly.
, New York Times
In the end, it reveals itself to have nothing to say beyond the superficial about government or rebellion. And in the absence of such a statement, it becomes what it seems to have mocked -- a spectacle glorifying the car is an instrument of violence.
Scott Weinberg, FEARnet
A goofy piece of over-the-top mayhem with half a brain.
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
A terrifically entertaining movie, and a sharp, funny social commentary from start to finish.
Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central
Roger Corman is the master of doing a lot with a little, and Death Race 2000 is but one shining example of the filmmaker's know-how.
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
Director Paul Bartel perfected his brand of blackhearted humor on this ragged production, overcoming budgetary restraint with inspired moments of B movie spectacle...
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
The conception and execution are top-notch low-budget trash.
Matthew Sorrento, Film Threat
Death Race 2000 is as Corman as his B-grade action pics come, with cars flying through the frame, blood spilling behind them, and overnight pit-stops for some sex ("navigators" in each car keep their drivers juiced up).
, Film4
One of King Corman's finest pictures.
Kim Newman, Empire Magazine
It has a comic strip premise which is neverthless wholly credible in a sick sort of way.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Unwatchable car wreck of an exploitation film.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Fun, fun, fun!
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Superior drive-in exploitation fare, this violent, campy action flick presents Carradine as Frankenstein, a scarred road warrior in black leather suit and cape.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Time has tamed it somewhat, but it's still loads of fun.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
a must see for so many people - science fiction fans, satirists, action movie buffs, 70s film aficionados and anyone who likes an over-the-top film
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Strange movie makes strange bedfellows: Corman and Disney

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Justin Y

Paul Bartel's Death Race 2000 is everything it is cracked up to be.Behind all the gratuitous violence, dark humor, attractive women, and driving, which sums up the title nicely, there is more to the story than just racing across America killing people.… More
Paul Bartel's Death Race 2000 is everything it is cracked up to be.Behind all the gratuitous violence, dark humor, attractive women, and driving, which sums up the title nicely, there is more to the story than just racing across America killing people. While it isn't much, it gives this picture a little more to work with. The movie itself wastes no time at getting started, as it jumps right into character introductions and starting off the race, while letting the multiple TV personalities unveil the race details as it goes along.Ultimately, the highlight of the film is the race. The deaths are brutal, a little cheesy, and there are many fast motion camera effects to add some death defying speed to the driving scenes. The fun continues between the race segments with some nudity, sexuality, and even more violence in the pits stops.David Carradine finds himself with a suitable lead character and Sylvester Stallone proves to be a befitting rival racer that provides most of the humor.Death Race 2000 isn't a masterpiece of a movie, but its brief run time of just under 80 minutes is enough to make it a watchable action comedy from start to finish.
AJ V

One of my favourite sci-fi action movies of the 70s! It's a Corman produced picture, and has a good cast. It's also a futuristic comedy, which makes it even better. Check it out.
Martin S

Sicktastic
Conner R

Way ahead of its time, a perfect black comedy. David Carradine gives one of his best performances as Frankenstein and Sylvester Stallone is amazing as Machine Gun Joe. What I also love about it is the fact that it's so cheaply made. The cars look hilarious, as if they came out of… More
Way ahead of its time, a perfect black comedy. David Carradine gives one of his best performances as Frankenstein and Sylvester Stallone is amazing as Machine Gun Joe. What I also love about it is the fact that it's so cheaply made. The cars look hilarious, as if they came out of a cereal box. However, the car stunts look real and that's where it really counts. I think it's quite possibly the only movie to effectively blend cars and sci-fi.
Tim S

The movie is a ton of fun but it's not quite as graphic as it's made out to be.
Aaron N

Harold: As the cars roar into Pennsylvania, the cradle of liberty, it seems apparent that our citizens are staying off the streets, which may make scoring particularly difficult, even with this year's rule changes. To recap those revisions: women are still worth 10 points more… More
Harold: As the cars roar into Pennsylvania, the cradle of liberty, it seems apparent that our citizens are staying off the streets, which may make scoring particularly difficult, even with this year's rule changes. To recap those revisions: women are still worth 10 points more than men in all age brackets, but teenagers now rack up 40 points, and toddlers under 12 now rate a big 70 points. The big score: anyone, any sex, over 75 years old has been upped to 100 points. From Roger Corman comes a greatly entertaining movie that features a futuristic America that has an annual cross-country death race. The race consists of 5 racers, each with their own navigator (doubling as lovers) driving at super fast speeds from New York to LA in a few days time. The added twist is that pedestrians caught on the side of the road can be run over for additional points. Needless to say this is a cheesy, violent, and darkly hilarious film to watch. David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone star as rival racers trying to beat each other to the finish. The whole movie is literally the race, we start at the starting line and end at the finish in a brisk 78 minutes. Its a lot of fun to watch, with plenty of great cheesy moments, great low budget production design, and hilarious plot twists hinting at some ridiculous deeper social meaning. Cleopatra: It isn't my fault everyone scored before us. You should have gone after that boy scout camp like I told you! Nero the Hero: I tried the goddamn boy scout camp. You know how fast those boy scouts move? Cleopatra: Now here's something more your speed. Nero the Hero: That'll be at least 200 points! Cleopatra: If they scatter, go for the baby and the mother.
danny d

entertaining and fun while being silly and rediculous at the same time. the sub plot was interesting, but this movie was mostly absurd. i understand its cult status and know why people like it, but its not for me.
Jason S

The movie is pretty silly and cheap but has a good story behind all the dumb bits. The characters are ok and Stallone was pretty funny. You can tell he was taking his role seriously.
Stephen M

Unlike the best Roger Corman-sponsored productions -- Jonathan Demme's "Caged Heat", for instance -- "Death Race 2000" never really rises above its transparently exploitative violence and female nudity. As others have said, it's just like watching… More
Unlike the best Roger Corman-sponsored productions -- Jonathan Demme's "Caged Heat", for instance -- "Death Race 2000" never really rises above its transparently exploitative violence and female nudity. As others have said, it's just like watching "Wacky Races", the only differences being that a) some of the booby traps work in "Death Race 2000" and b) I can't recall Penelope Pitstop ever getting her funbags out (though that's an episode I'd very much like to see!) The movie is technically shoddy and not as entertaining as it should be, not because the humour is too tasteless to laugh at -- if anything, it could have been a bit sicker, for me -- it just isn't very funny. Stallone tries hard to wring a few laughs out of an underwritten rôle in a poor script, but David Carradine is very dull indeed. Disappointing. I did chuckle at the Euthanasia Day bit though.
Daniel J D

Cannonball Run meets Grand Theft Auto. It was probably the inspiration for both Grand Theft Auto and Spy Hunter, and for that it gets mad props. They drive around and kill people for points. And there's a lot of boobs and sex. But they're all obscured by a disgusting… More
Cannonball Run meets Grand Theft Auto. It was probably the inspiration for both Grand Theft Auto and Spy Hunter, and for that it gets mad props. They drive around and kill people for points. And there's a lot of boobs and sex. But they're all obscured by a disgusting cheese-like discharge. There was so much potential: some cool death scenes, cool concept, political satire, etc. But it just didn't pan out.
Drew S

Just a straight-up fun movie. I love that the DVD cover has a three-star review featured.
Curtis L

Movie about in the future killing is a national sport basically. David C. makes it good.
Michael G

Really good in a bad kind of way.
Joseph E

Jason Statham's new "Death Race:" is Far from the original, in case that It Stunk! Carradine hasa kept the original head over heels of the new one. Highly reccomended over the Staham Remake!
William G

Campy, dated fun.
Alec B

I can't believe that this is an actual movie, I mean my God the racers get points for hitting pedestrians (little kids and old people get the highest score). This movie had to be a joke, there is no way to take it seriously, there is a terrible 70s dance music score, David… More
I can't believe that this is an actual movie, I mean my God the racers get points for hitting pedestrians (little kids and old people get the highest score). This movie had to be a joke, there is no way to take it seriously, there is a terrible 70s dance music score, David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone overact to an insane degree, and there is a HAND grenade in the literal sense of the word. That only scratches the surface of just how ridiculous this movie is. If you take it as a joke it is kind of enjoyable in a weird sort of way. "JESUS CHRYSLER!"
a b

This is the epitome of the "so bad it's good" movie. Or maybe "so good it's bad." I see they've labeled it "sci-fi action comedy." Well, it wasn't a comedy at the time, but it seems that way now. It's the story of a… More
This is the epitome of the "so bad it's good" movie. Or maybe "so good it's bad." I see they've labeled it "sci-fi action comedy." Well, it wasn't a comedy at the time, but it seems that way now. It's the story of a cross-country road race that somehow takes about a day and a half and only five cars compete. You can finish second and still win because you get points for running people over. And at the check-points the drivers get full-body massages during which everybody gets naked. Oh by the way, Stalone is in this movie.
Sylvester K

Violent, campy, futuristic (Props)
Lauren D

Although I wanted to see it anyway, I watched it when I did because Lundy had just died and I remembered about it. I spent most of the movie thinking 'Damn he looks like his [half] brother]. Anyway, it wasn't too bad but it was a bit boring and the acting was dodgy from most… More
Although I wanted to see it anyway, I watched it when I did because Lundy had just died and I remembered about it. I spent most of the movie thinking 'Damn he looks like his [half] brother]. Anyway, it wasn't too bad but it was a bit boring and the acting was dodgy from most of the cast.
Lee K

Believe it or not i enjoyed this wayyyy more then i did the updated version with Jason Statham. Corny 70's movie but hell i loved it and usually watch it every time it airs.