Cannonball (1976)

Here's yet another reason to accentuate the 1970's was the absolute greatest decade for cult-trash cinema output (as if we weren't convinced enough already): Carsploitation movies! There are only a handful of them, they all look alike and most film-loving audiences will probably detest them, but … damn, are they ever entertaining! "Cannonball!" – although I must say I prefer the much cheesier video title "Carquake" – is brought to us by the same team that made the brilliant and unequaled "Death Race 2000" one year earlier, and it many ways it feels as if writer/director Paul Bartel injected all the silly comedy that he couldn't put in "Death Race" into this film instead. This film is more of a straightforward comedy whereas "Death Race" was a black comedy (apparently not everybody finds the idea of wiping pedestrians off the road for points funny). The concept of this film is much simpler: bunch of eccentric people participate in an illegally organized cross-country race from California to New York City. Ex-convict Coy Buckman is obviously the most talented racer, so his competitors will have to revert to ingenious cheating if they want to stand a chance. The main storyline as described here is obviously very simplistic, but one could also claim there are numerous little sub plot story lines that are all terrific and imaginative. The lead character Coy Buckman is already quite intriguing. He dragged his sexy female parole officer along in the race and has a mechanic who idolizes him so much that he literally wants to be Cannonball! Every contestant in the race is worth mentioning, like the obnoxious German in his canary-yellow sport car and the psychopathic Redman and his country-singing and guitar-playing co-pilot. Outside the race there's quite a lot going on as well, like Coy's sleazy brother Bennie trying to sabotage the most important rivals because he bet a huge some of money on the winner. Although the comical ambiance definitely overrules, "Cannonball!" nevertheless remains a bona fide action/spectacle movie with copious crashes, macho showdowns, explosions and violent painful deaths. The climax, which features a mass accident with cars piling up seemingly forever, exactly demonstrates the blending of humor and action. The cast is full of pleasingly familiar faces, especially if you know a thing or two about B-movies. Apart from the brothers Carradine (David and Robert), there's Mary Woronov, Dick Miller, Carl Gottlieb and director Paul Bartel himself (in a hilarious role). Buckle up for some sheer cult-excitement!

What is this about cross-country racing? I saw "The Gumball Rally" and it's mostly comedy and adventure, this one is more high octane. David Carradine who's fresh from "Kung Fu" plays Coy "Cannonball" Buckman, a ex-con who makes this race an important part of his life. Veronica Hamel(before hitting it big as "Hill Street Blues" character, Joyce Davenport) as parole officer, Linda Maxwell. Everybody gets to the spot in California in a coast-to-coast race where anything goes. Scheming and cheating, sabotaging other vehicles, everyone wants the big money. A friend of Coy emulated him, and Coy's brother Bennie(Dick Miller) placed some explosives under a German driver's car. When the truth of the traffic accident surfaces, Linda realized that Coy wasn't a guilty man. His Trans-Am was totaled,and his replacement car is a mean Ford Mustang. The car pileup was sickening, and the young kids help out Linda after Coy's friend was killed. And Coy himself would rather win fare and square, than having the competition eliminated by extreme matters. Looks like Linda was more important to him than the money. And the young kids deserved it more. This movie has got plenty of action, and plenty of laughs, and David Carradine haven't lost his touch in his moves. 3 out of 5 stars

Not sure what to say. i saw nothing at all good about this movie. Not funny, not interesting, not anything. And the "crash scene" at the end might be the most stupid thing I've ever seen in a movie. It lasts forever, as one car after another drives into the wreck. And each one, even the ones going slow, explode like they have a hydrogen bomb in them. The most fake and worst special effects I've ever seen. And it seems like it's never going to end, not realistic at all. The characters are not interesting at all, it was hard just to stay awake through it. I was thinking it might have some connection to the Cannonball Run movies when I first saw it come on, but it doesn't. Don't waste your time watching this pile of crap.

The story of "Cannonball" is about an illegal coast-to-coast car race in the USA. Of course, also some saboteurs are on the road to guarantee a not smoothly course of events...Obviously not as great as Paul Bartel´s predecessor "Death Race 2000" "Cannonball" is a trash classic and cheese de luxe: cheesy acting, cheesy stunts, cheesy humour, cheesy dialogues... take a lot of car chases, explosions and add some campy humour and you´ve got "Cannonball"! But it´s always great fun to watch! A highly entertaining C-grade movie which is also very interesting for the prominent supporting cast, because Roger Corman, Martin Scorcese, Jonathan Kaplan, Joe Dante or Sly Stallone have small roles in this funny gem!Fasten your seat belts and enjoy!!!