The Car (1977)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Elliot Silverstein

Writers:

Michael Butler (screenplay)
Michael Butler (story)

Release Date:

13 May 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, no way to stop... THE CAR

Plot:

A sleek, possessed car terrorizes everyone it comes in contact with. |

Plot Keywords:

Small Town | Supernatural | Cult Horror | Animate Car | Cult Favorite

Cast

James Brolin	...	Wade Parent
Kathleen Lloyd	...	Lauren
John Marley	...	Everett
R.G. Armstrong	...	Amos Clements
John Rubinstein	...	John Morris
Elizabeth Thompson	...	Margie
Roy Jenson	...	Ray Mott
Kim Richards	...	Lynn Marie
Kyle Richards	...	Debbie
Kate Murtagh	...	Miss McDonald
Robert Phillips	...	Metcalf
Doris Dowling	...	Bertha
Henry O'Brien	...	Chas
Eddie Little Sky	...	Denson
Lee McLaughlin	...	Marvin Fats

Also Known As:

DeathMobile (Canada: English title) (video title)
Wheels (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | 4-Track Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:PG | UK:12 | UK:AA (original rating) (1977) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Norway:15 (video premiere) | Norway:16 (theater release) | Sweden:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Glen Canyon, Utah, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The song Wade is singing before brushing his teeth is "Muleskinner Blues" by Jimmie Rodgers and George Vaughn.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The dispatcher says the car has been spotted heading "north on Interstate 12". Even-numbered Interstate highways run east-west, and Interstate 12 is entirely within the state of Louisiana, running along the north side of Lake Ponchartrain.

Quotes:

Everett: [to Wade] As your father once said to me....
[pauses a moment]
Everett: [Wade's looking at him interested] Forget it, I would have made it up anyway!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Jeepers Creepers (2001)

Soundtrack:

Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: I. 'Morning'

Forget about "Christine", THIS is the ultimate killer car movie!

Made in 1977 by director Elliot Silverstein, this film features James Brolin (back when he was cool) as the sheriff of a quaint desert town that's being terrorized by one very cool looking black sedan that has no driver, no motive, and no mercy. It's often been referred to as "Jaws on wheels" and I suppose that's pretty accurate, only here the Spielbergesque emotional drama is checked at the door and it's all about fun (think "Piranha").

I thought the pacing in this movie was pretty good and that all of the actors did a fine job. This is a prime example of what 1970s drive-in horror was all about, so make darned sure you don't miss it. Okay? Highly recommended!