5.5/10
27,912
222 user 99 critic

Maximum Overdrive (1986)

A group of people try to survive when machines start to come alive and become homicidal.

Director:

Stephen King

Writers:

Stephen King (film by), Stephen King (written for the screen by)
Reviews
Popularity
3,657 ( 643)

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3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emilio Estevez ... Bill Robinson
Pat Hingle ... Hendershot
Laura Harrington ... Brett
Yeardley Smith ... Connie
John Short John Short ... Curt
Ellen McElduff ... Wanda June
J.C. Quinn ... Duncan
Christopher Murney ... Camp Loman
Holter Graham ... Deke
Frankie Faison ... Handy
Pat Miller Pat Miller ... Joe
Jack Canon Jack Canon ... Max
Larry Parks Larry Parks ... Steve (as Barry Bell)
John Brasington John Brasington ... Frank
J. Don Ferguson J. Don Ferguson ... Andy
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Storyline

When Earth passes through the tail of Rea-M rogue comet, the machines come to life and start to kill mankind. A group of survivors is under siege from fierce trucks at the Dixie Boy truck stop gas station and they have to fight to survive. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The day horror went into overdrive. See more »


Certificate:

18 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 July 1986 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Ocho días de terror See more »

Filming Locations:

Supply, North Carolina, USA See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,205,644, 27 July 1986

Gross USA:

$7,433,663

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,433,663
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The original scripted ending had the Dixie Boy survivors deal with one last obstacle before escaping, a machine gun mounted coast guard boat. There was also to be one last shot of the city of Wilmington being destroyed by the machines (rumoured to have been done via a matte painting). See more »

Goofs

When the main Truck backs up, knocking the Bible Salesman into a ditch there is no blood. But as the Truck is pulling away there is blood all over the back of the trailer. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Man At Cashpoint: Honey, come on over here, sugarbuns. This machine just called me an asshole.
See more »

Alternate Versions

King's thoughts and further info on these cuts can be read in the book "The Lost Work of Stephen King" by Stephen J. Spignesi. See more »


Soundtracks

Who Made Who
Written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson
Produced by Harry Vanda, George Young
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
Not what I expected, but it's OK.

I've seen better movies based on the work of Stephen king, but in all fairness, I possibly have not seen one he has directed. Maybe I was taking off by how campy the movie is, A true celebration of the B-movie.

The concept was cool. An alien ship flying inside a strange cloud causes the machines on the planet to go haywire and the story focus on a small band of misfits trying to survive.

Heading up this band is Emilio Estevez who at the time was a bigger star than his little brother Charlie Sheen. the movie is perfect for him as it's similar to other B-movies he toke the lead on during his hey day like Repo man and Men at Work, which he did with his brother. This seems to be Emilio's thing and he shines as a bad boy force to do the right thing.

I'm use to being more frighten by a Stephen king story but I really was not. I don't really think it was the campy, just might not have stood the test of time in this factor.

What did stand out was the development of the characters. it's on the level of a good Zombie movie where everyone tries to figure out a way to keep alive while dealing with an unstoppable horror. It also reminded me of Tremors as the people were trapped in a gas station by the machines

Slightly different from what I was expecting from King's work from the 80's, but that might be the point. If you've seen all the other Stephen King movies than watch this one.


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