2020 Texas Gladiators (1983)

In a post-apocalyptic Texas, a band of warriors fight against a fascist regime that is trying to take control of all surviving population.

Directors:

Joe D'Amato (as Kevin Mancuso), George Eastman (uncredited)

Writers:

George Eastman (as Alex Carver), Aldo Florio

Stars:

Al Cliver, Harrison Muller, Daniel Stephen

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Al Cliver	...	Nisus
Harrison Muller	...	Jab
Daniel Stephen	...	Catch Dog
Peter Hooten	...	Halakron
Hal Yamanouchi	...	Red Wolfe (as Al Yamanouchi)
Sabrina Siani	...	Maida
Isabella Rocchietta	...	Kezia
Geretta Geretta	...	(as Janna Ryann)
Donald O'Brien	...	Black One (as Donal O'Brien)

Storyline

After an atomic war, chaos landed on earth and the law of the jungle took over. Nisus and Maida meet when the group to which Nisus belongs, which has dedicated itself to restoring justice, saves it. The two decide to go south where they are finally trying to rebuild in peace. But, after a few years, after the birth of the daughter Kezia, the place is attacked. It seems destiny that they should never find peace.

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Plot Keywords:

grindhouse film | psychotronic film | 2020 | euro trash | trash movie | 

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Taglines:

When earth becomes an arena... murder becomes a way of life.

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The ax originally cleaved Donald O'Brien's head, not his chest. However, Joe d'Amato and some others then thought that it was too rough and looked too realistic, and so they re-filmed the scene. A still from the original scene has survived.

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Goofs

Multiple signs warn "DANGER EXSPLOSIVE", misspelling explosive.

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Quotes

Nisus: You've gotta be strong in a world without laws. Ruthless, too.

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Alternate Versions

German version is cut for violence/gore to secure a "Not under 18" rating.

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Connections

Featured in Joe D'Amato Totally Uncut: The Horror Experience (2001)

User Reviews

Another dull D'amato Road Warrior rip-off.

Just one of many trashy, low-budget Italian flicks to gleefully rip-off George Miller's classic Mad Max movies, 2020 Texas Gladiators is set against a typically barren, post-apocalyptic landscape and sees a brave band of warriors fighting back against the evil fascist regime that has been enslaving their people (with a little help from a gang of dirt-bike-riding, bare-chested punks in S&M gear).

Directed with very little style or finesse by Joe D'amato, and featuring a cast clearly chosen for the definition of their pecs or willingness to expose their tits rather than actual talent, the film is low on genuinely gritty exploitational content, the absence of any really nauseating gore or outrageous sleaze—both specialities of the director—being particularly noticeable.

Despite the welcome presence of smoking' hot blonde Sabrina Siani, and the inclusion of such blatant silliness as futuristic soldiers armed with electric bullet-proof shields (which have ***important plot point*** massive holes in them!), the derivative nature of the plot, D'amato's lifeless treatment, the lacklustre stunts, and the unremarkable performances (with the notable exception of Donald O'Brien as Black One—that guy is hilarious) all go to make this a frustratingly dull affair as a whole.

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

March 1984 (Italy)

Also Known As:

2020 Texas Gladiators

Filming Locations:

Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Continental Motion Pictures Corporation, Erka Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color