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.

---

Plot Keywords:

murder of a nude woman | female nudity | nudity | murder | targeted by a cult | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Action | Horror | Thriller

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 June 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Carrera contra el diablo

Filming Locations:

Bandera, Texas, USA

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

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.

---

Goofs

While there are remote areas of Central Texas, even in the 1970s cities such as Odessa, Midland, Abilene and Lubbock were all far closer than Amarillo. As Texans from San Antonio, the group would have known that and traveled to one of those closer locations.

---

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.

---

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.

---

Connections

Referenced in Diagnosis Murder: Dead in the Water (1998)

User Reviews

They Witnessed A Satanic Act- It May Cost Them Their Lives!

As low budget horror movies go, "Race With The Devil" has aged well. The plot is simple--two couples en route to Aspen for a long overdue skiing vacation, end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, and witness a human sacrifice. The rest of the film deals with their attempts to escape their pursuers, who happen to be modern day witches! Peter Fonda, Warren Oates, Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H) and Lara Parker (Dark Shadows) are the couples in question, and R.G. Armstrong is the local sheriff they enlist to help them. All the performances are fine, especially the vastly underrated Oates, who is only now receiving the acclaim long due him, (he has since passed away) and his acting is as compelling as ever. The just-released DVD includes a commentary from producer Paul Maslansky and Lara Parker, a retrospective documentary with Peter Fonda, trailer, still and poster galleries and radio spots. Enhanced for widescreen TVs the film looks great, and is a great one to watch late at night (if not alone) when you feel the need for a few genuine scares.