Watch Cannonball

One of the most exciting car chase movies ever made, Cannonball from 1976 follows the wild and ultra-dangerous cross-country race that stretches from California to New York. David Carradine plays Coy “Cannonball” Buckman, a racecar driver who enters the contest in order to win the prize money and prove his worth as a racer. Along the way, he faces stiff competition, treacherous road conditions, and law enforcement that is determined to put the brakes on the drivers’ antics.

At the start of the movie, we meet Cannonball and his mechanic Cade (Bill McKinney) as they prepare for the race, packing the trunk of their souped-up car with everything from water to a portable toilet. Cannonball and Cade are just one of many teams who will travel across the country in hopes of finishing the race first, and not all of them are what you’d call ethical. There are wealthy thrill-seekers who see the race as a chance to prove their ego, ruthless drivers who will stop at nothing to win, and even a man who leads a mysterious motorcycle gang that seems to be up to no good.

As the race begins, Cannonball quickly emerges as one of the top competitors, thanks to his skill and daring behind the wheel. But he also catches the eye of Linda (Veronica Hamel), a beautiful journalist who is following the race and documenting the drivers’ exploits. Linda becomes a passenger in Cannonball’s car, and the two strike up a friendship that soon blossoms into something more.

The bulk of the movie follows the various teams as they make their way across the country, pushing themselves and their vehicles to the limit. There are numerous car chases, crashes, and comically bizarre roadside encounters, including a brief run-in with a nutty nudist and her equally bonkers friends. But there are also darker moments, such as when a fellow driver is killed in a harrowing collision with a truck, or when Cannonball and Cade find themselves under attack by members of the motorcycle gang.

Throughout it all, Cannonball remains steadfast in his goal of winning the race, even as he begins to question the ethics of the competition. He’s given pause by a conversation he has with Linda, who expresses her disappointment in the drivers’ reckless behavior, and he also has to contend with the tension between himself and the other drivers, who see him as a potential threat to their own victory.

As the end of the race approaches, the stakes are high, and the competition becomes even more cutthroat. Cannonball and his fellow finalists must face off in a series of grueling challenges that will test their mettle and push them to their limits. And when the dust settles, only one team will emerge victorious.

Cannonball is a classic car chase movie that delivers all the high-octane thrills and spills that fans of the genre have come to love. With its fast-paced action, memorable characters, and breathtaking stunt work, the movie is a thrill ride from start to finish. David Carradine is terrific as the tough and determined Cannonball, while Veronica Hamel brings wit and charm to her role as the journalist who becomes his romantic interest. And the supporting cast is equally strong, with Bill McKinney providing comic relief as Cannonball’s loyal mechanic, and a host of colorful villains and side characters adding variety and excitement to the mix.

But what really sets Cannonball apart is its sense of danger and excitement. The movie feels like a no-holds-barred, anything-goes race, with the drivers willing to risk life and limb in order to be the first to cross the finish line. The car chases are thrilling and well-staged, and the stunt work is truly impressive, with several jaw-dropping moments that will leave audiences in awe.

All in all, Cannonball remains a must-see movie for fans of the car chase genre. It’s a high-energy, action-packed ride that offers plenty of thrills and spills, along with a dash of humor and romance. Whether you’re a gearhead or just looking for an exciting night at the movies, Cannonball is sure to rev your engines and leave you on the edge of your seat.

Cannonball is a 1976 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 35.