6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
"A thousand years from tomorrow," after the Neutron Wars, the world is divided into a barbaric collection of city states, surrounded by wastelands where only mutant cannibals and independent warriors, known as Range Guides, can live. The city state of Helix is planning war on another, Tritan. Hoping to prove their newest weapon's superiority, the "Death Machines" (laser equipped Dirt bikes), they create a new Death Sport. This is a 1978 science fiction B-movie produced by Roger Corman, directed by Allan Arkush and Nicholas Niciphor. The film stars David Carradine and Playboy Playmate Claudia Jennings. It would also be one of Jennings' final movies before her death.
Starring: David Carradine, Claudia Jennings, Richard Lynch (I), William Smithers, Will WalkerSport | Insignificant |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo verified
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
While it was once intended to be a sequel to 1975’s “Death Race 2000,” 1978’s “Deathsport” gradually became its own thing as it sped toward production. Instead of satiric hellraising with a wacky cast of characters, “Deathsport” offers a futuristic barbarian adventure with grunting actors, dastardly villains, and lots of motorcycle chases. Directors Nicholas Niciphor and Allan Arkush are more interested in completing the feature than perfecting it, delivering a Roger Corman production that falls in line with many before it, gifting a backyard production to an audience hungry for B- movie nonsense. The endeavor isn’t polished, but as these junky things tend to go, it’s diverting, speeding along with fast vehicles and survival missions, and some light world-building doesn’t hurt. It’s no Corman classic, but the energy of the effort is engaging, along with the creative drive to turn absolutely anything into a post-apocalyptic epic. There’s charm in the visible filmmaking hustle.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation secures a pleasing amount of detail with the low-budget antics of "Deathsport." Exteriors are dimensional, surveying mountainous regions and industrial locations. Costuming is open for study, along with props, including the metallic additions to the motorcycles and the plastic appearance of the "crystal" swords. Facial particulars are ample, examining character wear and tear, and bodily exposure is captured in full. Greenery is agreeable throughout the movie, exploring the natural appeal of the locations. Futuristic additions add some punch, with laser reds and greens memorable. Clothing is varied, and gold helmets pop. Skintones are natural. Delineation reaches as far as the original cinematography allows. Grain is heavier and film-like. Source is in good shape, with some mild speckling and scratches.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix does what it can with the limited aural scope of the feature. Scoring emerges with some power, offering sharp electronic sounds with define position to boost moods and support action scenes. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, delivering a reasonably clear understanding of performance choices, hitting a few technical constraints along the way. Sound effects are defined adequately, used frequently to sell screaming death machines, laser blasts, and explosions. Some mild hiss is detected.
"Deathsport" tries to get something going with an ultimate hunt scenario between Moor and Oshay, but that doesn't emerge as anything profound. The picture shows more spunk with select moments of motorcycle insanity and fantasy world commitment, backed by an electronic score from Andrew Stein that's so determined to expand the scope of the movie, it often sounds like it belongs in a silent film. Hospital corners on the production aren't found, but the shagginess of it all is endearing, watching a handful of cast and crew try to construct a futureworld roller coaster ride.
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