The Wraith (1986)

After a young man is murdered by a road-racing gang of motor-heads, a mysterious fast-driving spirit descends from the sky to take revenge.

Director:

Mike Marvin

Writer:

Mike Marvin

Stars:

Charlie Sheen, Nick Cassavetes, Sherilyn Fenn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlie Sheen	...	Jake Kesey / The Wraith
Nick Cassavetes	...	Packard Walsh
Sherilyn Fenn	...	Keri Johnson
Randy Quaid	...	Sheriff Loomis
Matthew Barry	...	Billy Hankins
David Sherrill	...	Skank
Jamie Bozian	...	Gutterboy
Clint Howard	...	Rughead
Griffin O'Neal	...	Oggie
Chris Nash	...	Minty
Vickie Benson	...	Waitress
Peder Melhuse	...	Murphy
Jeffrey Sudzin	...	Redd
Michael Hungerford	...	Stokes
Steven Eckholdt	...	George in Daytona

Storyline

Packard Walsh and his motorized gang control and terrorize an Arizona desert town where they force drivers to drag-race so they can 'win' their vehicles. After Walsh stabs the decent teenager Jamie Hankins to death for being intimate with a girl whom Walsh wants for himself, the mysterious Jake Kesey arrives, an extremely cool motor-biker with an invincible car. Jake befriends Jamie's girlfriend Keri Johnson, takes Jamie's sweet brother Billy under his wing and manages what Sheriff Loomis can not - the methodical and otherworldly elimination of Packard's criminal gang.

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Plot Keywords:

breasts | pantyhose | invincible enemy | carsploitation | female stockinged legs | 

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Taglines:

...his spirit returns for revenge.

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Genres:

Action | Horror | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Even though both characters are adversaries, Packard and Sheriff Loomis wear identically styled gemstone band wristwatches. Packard wears his on his right wrist and Loomis wears his on his left.

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Goofs

When the custom Dodge first shows up at Big Kays burger stand there is repaired damage seen on Packard's Corvette and Minty's yellow Trans Am (the damage is caused by shotgun blasts later on in the movie). Then when they get to road to race after this scene, the damage is gone.

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Quotes

George in Daytona: Why'd you stop me? What do you want?
Packard Walsh: Well, let's just say it's pink.
Girl in Daytona: Oh, god!
George in Daytona: Forget it pal, no way!
Packard Walsh: I might forget it. I'm a nice guy.
Packard Walsh: [nods to his gang members] But them? They think the title to your car might be worth something.

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Alternate Versions

Old German VCL rental video was edited for violence to secure a "Not under 16" rating. In 2002 the film was resubmitted to the FSK and passed uncut with the same rating.

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Connections

Referenced in The Crow (1994)

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Soundtracks

SMOKIN' IN THE BOY'S ROOM
By Cub Koda and Michael Lutz
Performed by Mötley Crüe
Courtesy of Elektra/Asylum Records
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

You've just gotta love the spirit of the 80s.

Back in 1986, The Wraith just about qualified as a moderately entertaining alternative should the video rental shop be all out of copies of Aliens or Top Gun; however, when watched twenty three years later from a nostalgic point of view, this silly supernatural revenge flick actually proves to be a whole heap of fun. Charlie Sheen's lifeless performance; the sheer naffness of the race scenes; an ever-present pop/rock soundtrack; Nick Cassavetes' ridiculously nasty boo-hiss bad guy; a collection of annoying comic-book punks with idiotic names and silly mannerisms: The Wraith is perfect for anyone looking for some mindless popcorn action and a bit of a laugh at the expense of the decade that taste forgot.

Sheen plays a restless spirit who returns from the afterlife in a turbo charged ghost car to seek revenge on the reprehensible road pirates responsible for his death, rescue roller waitress Keri (the scorching Sherilyn Fenn) from the clutches of psychotic killer Packard Walsh (Cassavetes), and say goodbye to his younger brother Billy (Matthew Barry).

Although the film's star isn't really given that much to do (for much of the time, Sheen's character is hidden behind he wheel of his otherworldly car or in a silly cyberpunk suit and black full-face helmet), the excellent supporting cast more than make up for his absence: Randy Quaid is great as a desert cop trying to make sense of the carnage; Clint Howard gives another memorable performance as a mechanic with crazy hair; and Fenn is effortlessly sexy, and gets her top off once or twice during proceedings.

With more cheese than one of the burgers served up by Keri at the Big K bar, The Wraith is a great time-waster and recommended to all fans of 80s cult cinema.

Details

Official Sites:

Dave Sherrill's official page for the movie

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Wraith

Filming Locations:

2128 East 5th Street - Tucson, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,402,535, 23 November 1986

Gross USA:

$3,500,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,500,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Century Entertainment Corporation, Alliance Entertainment, Turbo Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1