IMDb > Used Cars (1980)
Used Cars
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Used Cars (1980) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   5,068 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 17% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Robert Zemeckis (written by) &
Bob Gale (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Used Cars on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
11 July 1980 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Estimated Laugh Count: 287 City, 410 Highway. Use these numbers only for comparison. Your actual laughs may vary depending on how you feel about used car salesmen, nude women, spectacular car stunts, and the President of the United States. more
Plot:
When the owner of a struggling used car lot is killed, it's up to the lot's hot-shot salesman to save the property from falling into the hands of the owner's ruthless brother and used-car rival. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
Brilliant!! more (84 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
113 min | Canada:103 min (Ontario)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
John Candy was originally cast in the film playing Joe Flaherty's role, but ultimately dropped out because his agent erroneously double-booked him while he was filming 1941 (1979). more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When Rudy is emptying his refrigerator safe, you can see that more cash is being pushed into the safe by someone behind the set. more
Quotes:
[First lines]
Rudy: Oww, fuck!
more
Movie Connections:
References Ben-Hur (1959) more
Soundtrack:
THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
Brilliant!!, 4 January 2003
9/10
Author: DanielKing from London, England

******************SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!******************************

There are not many American films made any more which are as inherently cynical and as satirical as this. I know Rudy gives up his chance of becoming Senator to help Barbara but the last image we see is him giving the spiel to an old woman. The makers knew they wouldn't be able to get away with making a film which didn't have some sort of phoney closure so they stuck in the big finale, but they mean for us to be aware of Rudy's true identity; once a hustler, always a hustler.

It is also incredibly funny, packed with incidental pleasures as well as the foregrounded plot. In many ways the film could have been improved if they had just concentrated on the machinations of the rival dealerships but I think the film did need something more concrete to hang the narrative on. The last half an hour is a little disappointing but given that the preceding hour and a bit was so good, one can forgive them this.

There are so many things to mention I think I'll just list a few: Toby the dog, the two guerilla broadcasters, Rudy's first commercial, Jeff conning a customer into thinking he has killed the dog. There are so many great moments I can't think why this film isn't better known than it is.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (84 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Used Cars (1980)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Free Advertising? molloy1986
your hair is the same color as these tires harry_flashman
the commentary transistorsound
Funniest scene. sharonpullman
this is a time capsule Morgose
Rudy gets the guys Shoes - what was cut? fulgour
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