Damnation Alley [Blu-ray]

...but it's hilarious that 20th Century Fox once thought this, and held the film back for a year (it was finished in '76) to see how 'Star Wars' performed.What can I say? It's not the best sci-fi movie ever made, It's cheesy, and some of the effects have not stood the test of time. It actually starts off with quite a strong opening sequence (like that of 'WarGames' except this time, it's NOT a simulated attack), so it's a shame that it then descends into B-movie nonsense....but this has always been a particular favourite of mine and I was really glad to see it released on DVD. It's an entertaining little film if nothing else, one of those 'turn off brain, enjoy' films that you can watch with friends, have some popcorn and a laugh and maybe do an MST3K-style riffing (and how this film was never featured on MST3K I'll never know). Great to see Jan-Michael Vincent and George Peppard together here, both completely unaware that they would go on to be the stars of rival '80s shows Airwolf and The A-Team respectively...JMV in particular demonstrating what a terrific actor he always was and what a shame it is that his life worked out the way it did. Paul Winfield, a great actor who never seemed to meet a nice end in sci-fi movies (see 'Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan') does a good turn for the first portion of the film before meeting a grisly end, and of course there's the highlight of seeing young Jackie Earle Haley in his first screen role, a long way from becoming masked vigilante Rorschach in 'Watchmen'.The true star of the film, of course, is the 12-wheeled armoured super-truck, the Landmaster. Designed by legendary Hollywood designer Dean Jeffries (no, George Barris, this is another one you weren't responsible for), the 'ultimate RV' boasts mortars, missile launchers and that big rubber join in the middle that my dad always mocks, not to mention its amphibious capability and an interior that looks suspiciously bigger than the truck itself. It's an impressive vehicle (which still survives to this day!) and predates the 'Dead Reckoning' from 'Land of the Dead' (protip to George Romero, even if you rip off a cheesy '70s B-movie that no-one really cares about, it's still plagiarism)...when the apocalypse finally comes around, this is the survival vehicle of choice.Watch out for that one set that serves as both a Vegas casino and then a department store (and doesn't look particularly convincing as either), and also pay attention during Paul Winfield's drawn out demise, where he screams for George Peppard's character, calling him 'Sam' even though his name is actually Eugene. Classic.Based on: a novel of the same name by cult S-F author Roger Zelazny. Very loosely based. As in, some character names and a cross-country journey across the post-apocalyptic USA in a specially-built vehicle. Oh and a motorbike. That's it. And thanks mum, for creasing the spine of my copy and wrecking it after I specifically asked you to take very good care of it.Was almost called: 'Survival Run', but George Peppard insisted on the title 'Damnation Alley', a term used and explained by his character during the film, being retained - well done, George :)Best line of the film: "This whole town is infested with killer cockroaches, repeat, KILLER COCKROACHES!"Best 'Famous last words' of the film: "The Landmaster can withstand stresses of up to AGHHHH-!"A must have for sci-fi fans, or for anyone who gleefully collects and watches bad movies (if you're both, then I salute you)!

one off the better 80's sci-fi end of world films story a bit thin in places ie how to add female interest [part} effects not bad for year some are stock shots as in blowing up of underground base [{used in Operation Crossbow other than that enjoyable film for all

Very much of its time, still nostalgic magic as long as you don't expect anything but light weight acting, story and adventure!Best /worst line ever from George Peppard warning about "killer cockroaches"!Only disappointments are the degradation of the picture and some scene cutting!

When I 1st saw this film on TV decades ago, I found it a very enjoyable film.Unfortunately the film has not aged well. The video quality on Amazon prime is so extremely poor, the film iscompletely unwatchable. They couldn't even be assed to maintain the original aspect ratio resulting in a squashed 4:3Display. an absolute complete rip off at £3.49.Don't waste your money on this film.

This is a movie which starts with a nuclear holocaust and then all the adventures amongst the survivors, while the climate of the earth is dangerous unstable and by mutations some dangerous insects are living But in the end all come to a very good end.This movie can be referred to "The Omega Man" which I bought this DVD from Amazon as well last year.

another post apocalypse movie. this movie depicts life after a nuclear war. film starts well showing the launch of the missiles and resulting explosions. but the depiction of post war society lets say lacks a bit of credibility.super mutated scorpions are a good example. the portrayal of characters and settings is good in places but all too often a bit sketchy. a watchable film but not a memorable one

Good

Very good copy to blu ray