Race with the Devil (1975)

Two couples vacationing together in an R.V. from Texas to Colorado are terrorized after they witness a murder during a Satanic ritual.

Director:

Jack Starrett

Writers:

Lee Frost, Wes Bishop

Stars:

Peter Fonda, Warren Oates, Loretta Swit

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Fonda	...	Roger
Warren Oates	...	Frank
Loretta Swit	...	Alice
Lara Parker	...	Kelly
R.G. Armstrong	...	Sheriff Taylor
Clay Tanner	...	Delbert
Carol Blodgett	...	Ethel Henderson
Phil Hoover	...	Mechanic
Ricci Ware	...	Ricci Ware
Paul A. Partain	...	Cal Mathers
James N. Harrell	...	Gun Shop Owner
Karen Miller	...	Kay
Arkey Blue	...	Arkey Blue
Jack Starrett	...	Gas Station Attendant
Wes Bishop	...	Deputy Dave

Storyline

Frank and Roger and their wives take off for Colorado in a recreational vehicle, looking forward to some skiing and dirt biking. While camping en route, they witness a Satanic ritual sacrifice, but the local sheriff finds no evidence to support their claims and urges them to continue on their vacation. On the way, however, they find themselves repeatedly attacked by cult members, and they take measures to defend themselves.

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Plot Keywords:

murder of a nude woman | female nudity | nudity | murder | satanic cult | 

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Taglines:

If you're going to race with the devil, you've got to be as fast as Hell!

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Genres:

Action | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jack Starrett replaced original director Lee Frost when Twentieth Century Fox head Alan Ladd Jr. was unsatisfied with the dailies. Most of his footage was re-shot.

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Goofs

Frank's jacket is back on him while driving the RV to escape after he takes it off.

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Quotes

Gas Station Attendant: What the hell happened to your van here? Your back window is all busted up!
Frank Stewart: I don't drive too well when I'm asleep.

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Alternate Versions

Although all previous cinema and video versions were complete, the 2007 UK DVD release was cut by 25 secs by the BBFC to edit shots of a snake being struck with a ski pole.

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Connections

Featured in The 'Burbs (1989)

User Reviews

The Road to Terror

I'm very pleased with this little occult road-movie classic from the 70's. It's fun and moves at a decent pace. Of course you have to wait for more than an hour before the racing starts, but the climactic last 20 minutes make up for it. Two couples on a holiday with their mobile home are witness to a satanic ritual killing during one night. Naturally, the local authorities have some difficulties believing all this, and soon the two couples find themselves being harassed and eventually chased by several cult-members. I liked the sense of paranoia this film has. Just about everyone in this movie could be a satanic cult-member. I liked the ending too. And Peter Fonda was cool as always. This time he used the word "terrific" a lot as an expletive, instead of "groovy".

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 June 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Race with the Devil

Filming Locations:

Tarpley, Texas, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$12,644,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Saber Productions, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1