Vanishing Point (includes trailer)
March 21st 2010 10:14
Made in 1971, directed by Richard C. Sarafian, Vanishing Point is at once in the same spirit with driving exploitation films like 'Dead End Drive In' and 'Road Games' and yet transcends into deeper road movies that have the explored the socio-political landscape of the U.S. during the 70's, such as Easy Rider and Two Lane Blacktop.
The premise of Vanishing Point is enough to make any gear-head bar up in ecstasy. Former racing car driver Kowalski, played by Barry Newman (The Limey, Bowfinger), has to deliver a beautiful, white, super charged 1970 Dodge Challenger from Denver to San Fransisco in 24 hours. Kowalski downs some uppers and goes like a bat out of hell, being chased across every state line across the way by police and anyone else who has a fast enough car to race him.
The star of the film, being a muscle car movie is of course the Dodge Challenger, boasting the most dazzling stunt driving you can imagine. I'm not going to try and rank the stunt driving in this film as I am far from a car movie aficionado. Many great car chase films have taken place in built up cities ie. 1968's 'Bullitt' or 1974's 'Gone In 60 Seconds', and Vanishing Point takes place on the sandy open roads of the American landscape where there are no limits. The super charged Dodge leaves one of the best Jaguar's ever made spitting bolts, it takes on the dessert, a helicopter, newly wed carjackers and a hell of a lot of police cars.
Set in the U.S. before the interstate system was in place, the audience is taken across a landscape of change and is witness to the hatred and segregation between prewar conservatism and postwar freedom. Director Richard Sarafian paints a picture of America, where you are either hippie, discerning/racist citizen, black, gay, feminist, Christian or outcast - there is no blurring the lines - and it's this that creates the dramatic tension in Vanishing Point.
As Kowalski recklessly out drives the police and all challenger's leaving their cars dusted and toppled, his exploits hit the radio waves where the entire country takes sides over what they believe he may or may not stand for. A large part of the film's point of view is seen through the character of hip talking Disk Jockey, Super Soul, played by Cleavon Little (Blazing Saddles) as he enthusiastically reports directly from the radio waves out to the people of America regarding the news of the 'blue meanies' chasing down our 'sole hero in his sole mobile'. Super soul also happens to provide one cracking soundtrack for the film too.
You can choose to watch this film on any level you please, it's social commentary is only for people who are looking out for it. The fast cars, no effects, - balls to the wall action chases remain prominently in the foreground through out - watch it once for the adrenaline rush and then watch it again for whatever else you might spot in the film.
Watch the trailer below to get an idea of the intensity and excitement of Vanishing Point!
Thrills, spills and a hand full of pills!
The premise of Vanishing Point is enough to make any gear-head bar up in ecstasy. Former racing car driver Kowalski, played by Barry Newman (The Limey, Bowfinger), has to deliver a beautiful, white, super charged 1970 Dodge Challenger from Denver to San Fransisco in 24 hours. Kowalski downs some uppers and goes like a bat out of hell, being chased across every state line across the way by police and anyone else who has a fast enough car to race him.
Give 'em hell Kowalski!
The star of the film, being a muscle car movie is of course the Dodge Challenger, boasting the most dazzling stunt driving you can imagine. I'm not going to try and rank the stunt driving in this film as I am far from a car movie aficionado. Many great car chase films have taken place in built up cities ie. 1968's 'Bullitt' or 1974's 'Gone In 60 Seconds', and Vanishing Point takes place on the sandy open roads of the American landscape where there are no limits. The super charged Dodge leaves one of the best Jaguar's ever made spitting bolts, it takes on the dessert, a helicopter, newly wed carjackers and a hell of a lot of police cars.
Set in the U.S. before the interstate system was in place, the audience is taken across a landscape of change and is witness to the hatred and segregation between prewar conservatism and postwar freedom. Director Richard Sarafian paints a picture of America, where you are either hippie, discerning/racist citizen, black, gay, feminist, Christian or outcast - there is no blurring the lines - and it's this that creates the dramatic tension in Vanishing Point.
As Kowalski recklessly out drives the police and all challenger's leaving their cars dusted and toppled, his exploits hit the radio waves where the entire country takes sides over what they believe he may or may not stand for. A large part of the film's point of view is seen through the character of hip talking Disk Jockey, Super Soul, played by Cleavon Little (Blazing Saddles) as he enthusiastically reports directly from the radio waves out to the people of America regarding the news of the 'blue meanies' chasing down our 'sole hero in his sole mobile'. Super soul also happens to provide one cracking soundtrack for the film too.
You can choose to watch this film on any level you please, it's social commentary is only for people who are looking out for it. The fast cars, no effects, - balls to the wall action chases remain prominently in the foreground through out - watch it once for the adrenaline rush and then watch it again for whatever else you might spot in the film.
Watch the trailer below to get an idea of the intensity and excitement of Vanishing Point!
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Here's a glimpse of my opinion, from my own review:
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Damn you and your eloquent writing - That really does capture how the film transcends itself into something you wouldn't think it is. I wasn't sure how to articulate what my thoughts were on some of the stillness of the film, but it's directed with big big confidence.