With the release of MAD MAX and it’s follow up THE ROAD
WARRIOR low budget studios jumped on the band wagon making post-apocalyptic
films like crazy. The majority of these came from Italy, a country known to latch
on to various genres that were big making them their own. So when this movie
was released fans of the genre flocked to theaters showing the film. It might
not have been playing at enough screens to make a dent financially but it did
well enough to have several more films released with the same theme going
forward.
After nuclear war has made most of the world a barren desert
wasteland people form packs trying to survive. Most are the angry, warrior type
groups seen in movies like this. They wear the most outrageous outfits that
seem to have nothing to do with their environment and spout various forms of
headbands and accoutrements that simply make them look terrifying to the normal
scavenger on the road. But they aren’t the only ones out there.
Another group has banded together to do their best to
continue the survival of mankind. Gathered in a well-protected fortification
they have greenhouses held in caves within. But their water supply is running
low and if they can’t find any soon all of the plants will die and with them
this ragtag group. The father of one young boy has already gone in search of
water never to return. Now his son sets out to follow in his father’s
footsteps, recruiting a loner he come across named Alien.
A loner by choice Alien really doesn’t want to help the
group at all. He’s more concerned about getting back his car, a specially
modified ride that he stole from the leader of the motorcycle gang that’s been
terrorizing anyone on the road. But the young boy and Alien eventually find an
engineer that Alien knows as well as his helper. When they learn that the boy
has an idea of where water can be found they decide to help. Alien still wants
to run off but has second thoughts. Before the end of the film one group will
face off against the other, some will live while others die and the future of
the world will be decided.
The first thing to know about these movies made in Italy is
that there was no expense too great for them to put their stories on film.
That’s because they had little to no expense to work with. But that didn’t stop
them from making some decent action/sci-fi films that are as enjoyable today as
they were when released. While the end results may not compare to the original
films that inspired them as well as the Spaghetti westerns did to their
inspiration, movies like this did result in some fun flicks.
The biggest part of the budget for these films went into the
vehicles that were modified or blown up in one way or another. Second on that
list was the screenplay that put it all in motion. While all involved do a
great job the actors were further down the list than these two items and it
doesn’t matter. As I said, all involved do a great job with the material they
have as well as the fact that many didn’t even speak the same language as those
around them. These films were noted for involving actors from around the world,
language be damned.
The end result is a bit campy at times but a full blown
action flick at others. The story is involving enough and the movie doesn’t
lose near as much in translation as many do. The fact that the depth of the
plot isn’t that deep helps with that. What the result is is a fun time for
those who like the genre and for those looking for something different to
watch. The blu-ray put out by Shout/Scream Factory is as clean as can be
expected for a low budget film like this and should please those who’ve had to
scrounge around for bootleg copies of the film or VHS copies. The extras are a
bit lean but I’m guessing there weren’t many to be had with this one. If you’re
a fan though you’ll definitely want to add this one to your collection.
Click here to order.
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