Movie Title: Race With The Devil
Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller
Writer: Lee Frost, Wes Bishop
Starring: Peter Fonda, Warren Oates, Loretta Swit, Lara Parker, R.G. Armstrong, Clay Tanner, Carol Blodgett, Phil Hoover, Ricci Ware, Paul A. Partain
Review: Two old friends Roger (Peter Fonda) and Frank (Warren Oates) and their wives (Loretta Swit and Lara Parker)
pack up an RV and hit the road for a much needed vacation. But once they stop off for the night things takes a deadly turn when they accidentally witness a satanic ritual. Now pursued by the cultist they struggle to survive a nightmare fueled road trip. Get ready to burn... rubber as these unfortunate souls - Race With The Devil!
Vacations don't get any worse and drive-in movies don't get any better than Race With The Devil. What appears to be your run-of-the-mill '70s exploitation picture turns out be a rather effective and surprising thriller that's creepy, scary, and fills the viewer with paranoia as it races along.
Peter Fonda and Warren Oates are great as our leads that are not superheros, not tough guys, they are truly terrified, but must quickly learn to survive this horrific ordeal. I'll watch Oates in anything. He's wonderful. And it's great to see him in more of a vulnerable role. Loretta Swit and Lara Parker are also great, especially Parker, who has the tough task of really building the tension, fear, and paranoia as they attempt to escape this nightmare scenario, and without going over the top. She's so good, I must seek out more of her work.
And this movie is actually scary! Both from the horror movie angle and the white-knuckle stunt work that will without a doubt have you on the edge of your seat! From the driving stunts, the fights, the falls, and the frights, Race With The Devil really gives you an experience that'll work you up, exhaust you, and have you sleeping like a baby all through the night. I don't want to spoil any surprises, plot points, scares, what have you, it really must be seen. It's a good scary time!
I saw it for the first time a few years ago, and with this recent re-watch, Race With The Devil really holds up. Plus, with some of the surprises it has in-store, which still get me, it has a tremendous re-watchability. So get ready horror fans to red line it as you try to outrun the devil's disciples on this fright-filled highway to hell!
Fun Fact: Peter Fonda's screen wife Lara Parker once roomed with his sister Jane Fonda at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY.