Deathsport

Deathsport (1978)

Runtime: 82 minutes

Directed by: Allan Arkush, Nicholas Niciphor

Starring: David Carradine, Claudia Jennings, Richard Lynch, Will Walker

From: New World Pictures

I figured that tonight I should watch something different on Netflix, something that I've known about for a long while but I've never seen. This sometimes is called the sequel to Death Race 2000, even though the only similarities is that both are from Roger Corman and are set in dystopian future. That's it.

The plot, stolen from the IMDb: “When the evil Lord Zirpola kidnaps Kaz Oshay and forces him to play his twisted gladiatorial game Deathsport, Oshay must use all of his fighting skills to survive the contest and stop the wicked Zirpola.” Yes, all those names are real. The first part of the plot description is true, but it ends up being that Kaz deals more with Zirpola's underling, Ankar Moor (Lynch). The Deathsport in question is action on motorcycles with goofy cladding on them and they make goofy fake sound effects that were added in after the fact. Sometimes, people with swords do battle with the people on the bikes, and this action is in an arena; yeah, the whole gladiator thing; even with the helmets that are worn. It is in a city ruled by Zirpola; like I said, a dystopian society and most of the land is barren, which makes it easy to film it on the notorious Roger Corman low-budget on the cheap.

The movie is pretty crappy and lame, with none of the satire of Death Race 2000. The first thing you see is Carradine wearing a loincloth carrying a giant plastic sword. Goofy. It's a lame story and the only entertainment value is from laughing at the movie and the “special” effects. Yet, I did not hate it. Carradine apparently was stoned the entire time, according to one of the directors. I have no trouble believing this and I don't blame him. There is a lot to laugh at, and that includes some of the acting. You get to see two women who are fully nude, including former Playmate Jennings. The musical score is synthesizer-based and it's totally wacky, in the best way; AND, there are guitar riffs from JERRY GARCIA. Yes. How they got him and why he did it, I am not sure, but he did. The motorcycle stuff is fine and there are some POV shots from the front of the bike.

At least now I've seen it, but don't expect another Death Race 2000. It's just a crappy low-budget film that nonetheless has its charms. I'll be back Wednesday night.