Death Race (1973)

In the North African desert in World War II, a damaged American fighter plane that is unable to take off tries to evade and destroy a pursuing Nazi tank.

Director:

David Lowell Rich

Writer:

Charles Kuenstle

Stars:

Lloyd Bridges, Roy Thinnes, Eric Braeden

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lloyd Bridges	...	Gen. Ernst Beimler
Roy Thinnes	...	Arnold McMillan
Eric Braeden	...	Stoeffer
Doug McClure	...	Lt. Del Culpepper
Brendon Boone	...	Pvt. Huffman
Christopher Cary	...	British Radioman
Dennis Rucker	...	Lt. Voelke
Dennis Dugan	...	Pvt. Becker
Ivor Barry	...	Maj. Waverly
William Beckley	...	British Airman
Eric Micklewood	...	British Officer

Storyline

In the North African desert in World War II, a crippled American fighter plane that is unable to take off tries to evade and destroy a pursuing Nazi tank.

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Plot Keywords:

american | german | pilot | tank | desert | 

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Taglines:

An Encounter Against Death...In the Realities of War...

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Genres:

Action | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot in 15 days.

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Goofs

The general shoots Stoeffer inside the tank, but in the final scene when Stoeffer emerges from the tank although he winces in pain there is no sign of any blood on him.

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Quotes

Gen. Ernst Beimler: When I found you yesterday, you were lost and afraid. Alone you would have died in the desert. But in less than 24 hours, I made you into a fighting unit. Why, you destroyed one enemy scout car and its entire crew, you downed one aeroplane, and are about to finish off another. You have become German soldiers again! Because of me! It was I who, who kept you together, who kept you strong! I! How? By giving you a purpose. That plane! Beyond that hill. That plane is our purpose! And when have ...

User Reviews

For it's time, very well done short WWll movie

Death race, a.k.a. State of Division, was a made for TV movie, that for the time especially, was very well done. The German tank actually had correct markings for one used in North Africa, the P-40 was about the right series, the clothing and weapons were all pretty much correct-except for two glaring goofs. Bridge's character sported a Luger pistol, and while this is an authentic German WWl sidearm, almost no command rank officer carried one, most favored the more modern and reliable Walther P-38. The only other readily apparent wrong is the P-40 supposedly had 20mm cannons as wing guns. No Curtiss P-40 of any series (B through N) was equipped thusly from the New York factory, and the only change the British made to theirs was changing the wing and cowl mount guns to .303 Brownings instead of the standard .30 caliber U.S. I actually enjoyed this movie for the most part, as it really was very authentic, and for someone like me (a confirmed military history buff!), the closer they get it to right, the easier it is to just watch and get lost in the story. I do wish it had been made longer, so more character development could have taken place. McClure's Culpepper starts off as a 'get by' kind of guy, not really caring much about the war or any greater ideal than his next meal or shower. They really rushed his change to a 'now I see why I should care' after a day and a half spent with the Thinne's McMillan, an Eagle squadron pilot, whom he starts taking a liking too through their shared dilemma. McMillan starts to explain why he enlisted with the British, why he put himself into harms way, but never gives the reason. The final 'battle' sequence at the end is pretty exciting, but again feels rushed. The movie runs approx. 90 minutes, so overall, except for the above listed comments, I feel this is an enjoyable movie for both the WWll buff or the action/drama movie watcher.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

State of Division

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$650,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Silverton Productions, Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1