Watch Death Race 2000

Set in a dystopian future, Death Race 2000 is a cult classic film from 1975 that follows the story of five participants in a deadly cross-country race. Directed by Paul Bartel, the movie stars David Carradine as Frankenstein, the reigning champion of the annual Transcontinental Road Race, and Sylvester Stallone as Machine Gun Joe Viterbo, his most formidable rival. Simone Griffeth plays Annie Smith, a new racer who quickly becomes a fan favorite.

The plot revolves around a game show-style competition where contestants race from coast to coast, earning points by hitting pedestrians along the way. The more people they kill, the higher their score, making this race not only a thrilling high-speed battle but also a bloodbath. The drivers are celebrities in their own right, treated like rock stars as they travel across the country in their heavily armored, weaponized cars, leaving behind piles of mangled bodies in their wake.

Frankenstein, who is said to have been reconstructed from various body parts, is the star of the show. He is known for his cold-blooded killing spree and his iconic mask, which hides his disfigured face. His co-pilot is Annie, a beautiful young woman who is at odds with the brutality of the race. She gradually comes to realize that Frankenstein might be a more complex figure than the media portrays him to be.

Machine Gun Joe, on the other hand, is the hot-headed bad boy of the race, with a larger than life personality to match his flamboyant car. He will stop at nothing to win, even if it means killing his own fans. Joe sees Frankenstein as his biggest obstacle, and the two engage in heated battles on the road, jockeying for position while trying to eliminate each other.

As the race progresses, the violence escalates, with the drivers resorting to increasingly deadly tactics. Along the way, they encounter a series of colorful characters, including a group of religious fanatics who worship the drivers as messiahs, and a resistance group that aims to overthrow the government and put an end to the race.

With its graphic violence and satirical take on the media, politics, and celebrity culture, Death Race 2000 is a film that was ahead of its time. It explores the themes of power and corruption, as well as the idea of a society that has lost its moral compass. The movie also features a memorable score by composer Paul Chihara, which blends electronic and classical music, adding to the film's futuristic feel.

Overall, Death Race 2000 is a cult classic that has left a lasting impact on popular culture. Its influence can be seen in films like Mad Max, The Running Man, and The Hunger Games. Despite its controversial subject matter, the film remains a thrilling ride that is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Death Race 2000 is a 1975 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 58.