Roger Corman was never a man to pass up the opportunity to jump on a bandwagon. So, when Deathrace 2000, which he produced, became a huge hit (relatively speaking) in 1975, he decided to cash-in on it. Deathsport was the first of a number of proposed sequels, but its failure and difficult shoot put an end to any more films in the series. David Carradine returns as lead, but this time his heart is distinctly not in it.
One thousand years in the future following a great war, the world consists of desert wastelands and a handful of city states. In the brutal city state of Helix ruled by Lord Zirpola (David McLean), Death Machines, motorbikes which shoot lasers, have replaced the death penalty, as a form of gladiatorial combat. The warmongering leader kidnaps the famous ranger Kaz Oshay (Carradine) and forces him to fight to the death.
Deathsport was plagued by production problems and it shows. The action scenes feel rushed and repetitive, while the story itself hasn’t even begun to be fleshed out. Allan Arkush and Nicholas Niciphor both had a go at shooting it but it’s simply far too derivative and lacks even a mild focus. Having said that, it’s entertaining and interesting enough to keep watching, only if it’s to laugh at some of the sequences and atrocious dialogue.
Special features:
- Commentary with Co-Director Allan Arkush and Editor Larry Bock
- Theatrical Trailer
- TV Spot
- Radio Spot
- Still Gallery
- English Subtitles
Deathsport is released on Blu-ray by 101 Films on 17 October.
