Damnation Alley (1977)

In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of survivors travel and find other settlements in huge custom designed all terrain vehicles.

Director:

Jack Smight

Writers:

Roger Zelazny (from the novel "Damnation Alley"), Alan Sharp (screenplay)

Stars:

Jan-Michael Vincent, George Peppard, Dominique Sanda

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jan-Michael Vincent	...	Tanner
George Peppard	...	Denton
Dominique Sanda	...	Janice
Paul Winfield	...	Keegan
Jackie Earle Haley	...	Billy
Kip Niven	...	Perry
Robert Donner	...	Man / Guard
Seamon Glass	...	Mountain Man #2
Trent Dolan	...	Technician
Mark L. Taylor	...	Haskins
Robert Hackman	...	Colonel (as Bob Hackman)
Erik Cord	...	Burning Man
Terence Locke	...	Air Policeman (as Terrence Locke)
Marcia Holley	...	Gloria

Storyline

A small group of survivors at a military installation who survived World War 3 attempt to drive across the desolate wasteland to where they hope more survivors are living. Hopefully their specially built vehicles will protect them against the freakish weather mutated plant and animal life and other dangers along the way.

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Plot Keywords:

ghost town | cockroach | articulated vehicle | travel | desert | 

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Taglines:

The magnificent epic of five people who survive the nuclear holocaust and their incredible odyssey through the nightmare world it created. And now, you will not only see it, you will feel it, live it--in "Sound 360"--a revolutionary sight and sound experience.

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Survival Run

Filming Locations:

Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$8,720,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zeitman-Landers-Roberts Productions,Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Sound 360° (as 'Sound 360°') (patent pending)

Color:

Color (Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The 12-wheeled "Landmaster" vehicle used in the film was created by Jefferies Automotive in Universal City, California. Despite the appearance of two "Landmasters" in the film, only one was built at a cost of $300,000 in 1976. The Landmaster is powered by a 391 cubic-inch Ford industrial engine, and features a fully-functional, custom-built "tristar" wheel arrangement, which could actually help it "crawl" over boulders. It also used an innovative steering mechanism that guided the vehicle, not by the front wheels, but by "bending" the middle section with hydraulic rams to effect a turn. The Landmaster's bodywork was made with 3/8-inch steel plating, which helped it tip the scales at over 10 tons. It was so tough, in fact, that it survived a 25-foot jump during testing with no damage. As of today, the original "Landmaster" is alive and well, and is currently in the hands of a private collector who purchased it in 2005. It has been restored to its original condition as seen in the film.

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Goofs

Despite undergoing enough environmental damage to turn most of the country into a desert, complete with mesas near Michigan, several shots feature fully intact telephone poles with wires still strung between them.

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Quotes

Tanner: [the Landmaster refugees are being waylaid by the "Mountain Men" in the desert] How long have you men been here?
Man: Since everything went to hell.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: 123rd STRATEGIC MISSILE WING TIPTON AFB, CALIFORNIA

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Connections

Edited from Earthquake (1974)

User Reviews

A post-apocalypse road film...

The beginning of this film really shakes you up. The careful, measured tones coming from the missile base loudspeaker announcing the progress of "the war" belie the fact that at that moment scores of millions of people are being atomized as the bombs fall.

However, the aftermath seems to be typical post-nuclear mis-adventure, with the survivors from the base starting out on a cross-country road trip. The "Landmaster" vehicles add a jazzy and technie touch to the otherwise predictable trip. Wild weather, crazed hermits, and killer cockroaches require a little suspension of disbelief, but still keep the pace going.

Fans of "The A-Team" will like seeing George Peppard in a lead role, as the by-the-book superior officer who tries to keep the non-conformist junior officer (Vincent) in line. Dominique Sanda adds some nice eye candy as the token female member of the intrepid band of pilgrims, rescued by Peppard and company from the ruins of Las Vegas.

Overall, a pretty good film if you are looking for an evening of distraction and non-reality, if you can get past the opening sequence.