Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Red Line 7000 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 21, 2017

The aching hearts of stock car racers and the women who love them are explored in 1965’s “Red Line 7000.” Director Howard Hawks clearly has a lot of respect for the sport, but his ability to find something interesting to do once the action steps away from the track is iffy at best. “Red Line 7000” aims to be a butch overview of dented masculinity, but it’s surprisingly sudsy and a little protracted, though Hawks does well with his cast, putting together an ensemble of disparate talent who lend the feature the little excitement it provides.

James Caan toplines “Red Line 7000,” backed by meaty actors such as Norman Alden and John Robert Crawford (in his only film role), and George Takei also appears as a pit crew specialist. Caan offers his customary hushed intensity, with Hawks saving true tensions for the race sequences, which are stitched together from actual stock car contests, including a few harrowing near-misses and crashes. The rest of the picture remains with the souls of the drivers, who struggle with loss and ego while love interests come and go, working to divide the guys during the racing season. Hawks plays everything softly, achieving benevolence for a feature that could do with more aggressive interactions, as much of “Red Line 7000” plays like a daytime soap opera.

Red Line 7000 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Red Line 7000" generally retains original cinematographic interests, though early scenes look just a tad too bright. Hues are acceptable, giving period primaries on nightclub visits and costuming presence, and skintones are adequate. Detail comes through just fine, picking up on facial particulars, especially the pained looks during race scenes, and set decoration is open for study. Clothing also retains texture. Delineation is adequate. Source is in decent shape, but scratches and speckling are present, along with some periodic wear and tear on the right side of the frame.

Red Line 7000 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix, while keeping with low-budget standards, has aged quite well, offering a natural sound for dialogue exchanges, which come through appealingly clear, preserving different acting styles, finding Caan especially mumbly. Scoring and soundtrack selections are inviting, setting the '60's mood, delivered with sharp instrumentation. Racing sound effects are inherently chaotic, but the sensation of speed is understood, along with crashes and fan response.

Red Line 7000 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Red Line 7000 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Red Line 7000" has its admirers (including Quentin Tarantino), and Hawks does well with limited resources, giving the race scenes a true visceral kick. He also good with his cast and period mood, adding a nice cocktail hour tone to after-hours socializing, even adding a musical number. Dramatics eventually run out of gas, limping to a conclusion with characters who aren't very interesting, interacting in lukewarm scenarios of betrayal and intimidation.