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IMDbPro

The Cars That Ate Paris

  • 19741974
  • PGPG
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
4K
YOUR RATING
The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
Watch ’Trailer [OV]’
Play trailer3:28
1 Video
50 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
The small town of Paris, Australia deliberately causes car accidents, then sells/salvages all valuables from the wrecks as a means of economy.The small town of Paris, Australia deliberately causes car accidents, then sells/salvages all valuables from the wrecks as a means of economy.The small town of Paris, Australia deliberately causes car accidents, then sells/salvages all valuables from the wrecks as a means of economy.
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Peter Weir
  • Writers
    • Peter Weir(screenplay)
    • Keith Gow(story)
    • Piers Davies(story)
  • Stars
    • Terry Camilleri
    • John Meillon
    • Kevin Miles
Top credits
  • Director
    • Peter Weir
  • Writers
    • Peter Weir(screenplay)
    • Keith Gow(story)
    • Piers Davies(story)
  • Stars
    • Terry Camilleri
    • John Meillon
    • Kevin Miles
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 58User reviews
    • 56Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 3:28
    Trailer [OV]

    Photos50

    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Terry Camilleri
    Terry Camilleri
    • Arthur Waldoas Arthur Waldo
    John Meillon
    John Meillon
    • The Mayoras The Mayor
    Kevin Miles
    • Dr. Midlandas Dr. Midland
    Rick Scully
    • George Waldoas George Waldo
    Max Gillies
    Max Gillies
    • Metcalfeas Metcalfe
    Danny Adcock
    • Policemanas Policeman
    Bruce Spence
    Bruce Spence
    • Charlieas Charlie
    Kevin Golsby
    • Insurance Manas Insurance Man
    Chris Haywood
    Chris Haywood
    • Darrylas Darryl
    Peter Armstrong
    • Gormanas Gorman
    Joe Burrow
    • Gangeras Ganger
    Deryck Barnes
    • Al Smedleyas Al Smedley
    Edward Howell
    • Tringhamas Tringham
    Max Phipps
    Max Phipps
    • Mulrayas Mulray
    Melissa Jaffer
    Melissa Jaffer
    • Bethas Beth
    Tim Robertson
    Tim Robertson
    • Lesas Les
    Herbert Nelson
    • Man in Houseas Man in House
    • (as Herbie Nelson)
    Charlie Metcalfe
    • Clive Smedleyas Clive Smedley
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Peter Weir
    • Writers
      • Peter Weir(screenplay) (story)
      • Keith Gow(story)
      • Piers Davies(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The opening scenes that feature a couple driving in a car and smoking prominently displaying cigarettes were a parody of a commercial aired on Australian television at the time of the film's original release. Website 'Peterweircave' says of this: "The opening "advertisement", which many viewers seem to take as blatant product placement for Coke and Alpine cigarettes, was actually a spoof in itself. At the time it was made, movies in Australia were often preceded by ads for cigarettes and such. By putting this before the opening credits, Weir was fooling the viewers into thinking this was yet another ad."
    • Goofs
      A watchman enters a warehouse with a watchdog and he finds Charlie hiding behind a hooded car. The watchdog barks as they enter, but there's nothing to be heard.
    • Quotes

      Darryl: That new bloke, all that stuff out of his caravan, should I put it somewhere safe?

      Dr. Midland: No, I told you, Darryl, didn't I? Nothing is to be touched. He's going to become a Parisian!

    • Alternate versions
      US version, titled _The Cars that Ate People (1974)_ was shortened to 74 minutes by the distributor, and star Terry Camilleri's voice is dubbed. The film was finally reissued in the USA at complete length in 1984.
    • Connections
      Edited into Terror Nullius (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Rock of Ages
      (uncredited)

      Lyrics by Augustus Montague Toplady and music by Thomas Hastings

      Played at the church

    User reviews58

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Style over substance - but the style is good!
    Before Peter Weir went on to make 'A' class films such as The Dead Poets Society and Witness, he had a rather unsuccessful stint as a B-movie cult flick director. Despite the fact that he's become better known for his critically acclaimed films, his lesser cult films show much more imagination and are far more fun to watch. The Cars That Ate Paris works from a delicious premise. A small township in Australia named 'Paris' causes car accidents and salvages valuables from the wreckages. The town's currency is radios, clothes etc and this lucrative business is doing well for the town. When someone survives a crash, they usually end up mentally disabled, which is good for the town as it stops them from being caught by the pesky insurance investigator. This is all well and good until George and brother Arthur drive into town. George is killed in the crash, but Arthur survives it; pretty much unharmed. Nobody has ever left Paris before, which prompts the Mayor to take the young man into his family home. This is something that will go on to have massive repercussions on the township of Paris...

    Peter Weir deliciously blends several elements into the plot line. On one hand, we have the incredibly surreal idea of a whole town killing people for their valuables. This blends with the whole crazy cult idea, and this in turn mixes with the idea of the things that people will do to survive. Weir has speckled the movie with loads of great imagery, such as the old women who's job it is to take the valuables from the cars stuffing clothes down their top, and the devilish cornerstone of society, the Mayor, overseeing all the horror. Despite all the film's good elements, however, Weir has failed to make the film a complete whole. It may be down to inexperience, but while he's busy creating his atmosphere; the characters have been forgotten about, and this makes it difficult to care for them, and the story beyond an aesthetic level. There is much to like about this movie, and it's definitely worth seeing for the imagery alone; but it's hard to really love it, and that stops me from giving the film a high rating. I still recommend the movie, however, as it's well worth seeing.
    helpful•15
    10
    • The_Void
    • Aug 10, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 11, 1976 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Cars That Eat People
    • Filming locations
      • Sofala, New South Wales, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Royce Smeal Film Productions
      • Salt-Pan
      • The Australian Film Development Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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