tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post8315431480395913717..comments2024-03-28T14:49:36.133-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: CULT MOVIE REVIEW: Damnation Alley (1977)John Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-76842309725981143902018-03-25T20:47:49.218-04:002018-03-25T20:47:49.218-04:00Can someone tell me what actress did the voice of ...Can someone tell me what actress did the voice of the radio in Albany at the end? Her voice is so familiar, it's driving me crazy!Christine Seelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01878895068643671017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-30757921440407290382015-05-19T05:46:25.974-04:002015-05-19T05:46:25.974-04:00Just watched this on an old-sci-fi movie channel.
...Just watched this on an old-sci-fi movie channel.<br /><br />Had always wanted to see it and am glad i did. <br /><br />Your review is spot-on and in particular your comments about the characters' attitudes in the opening missile attack sequence, which really struck me also.<br /><br />And I wondered whether the subsequent base fire, started by a cigarette falling onto a pornographic mag, was some kind of metaphor about man's foibles continuing to cause disaster?<br /><br />But overall yes the film, bar the magnificent Landmaster, is very episodic and flawed though again you're totally correct in pointing out the casino sequence as being one of the best.<br /><br />I have to say that despite the not-so-great fx, i really liked the mood created by the skies and thought they really worked in creating an otherworldliness.<br /><br />But the most annoying part was the ending - so ridiculous and illogical - it even outdoes the original Blade Runner ending for being desperate to end on an upbeat ending.<br /><br />I'd still recommend all sci-fi fans tried to see this film though - it's definitely one to have watched.<br /><br />And thanks again for such a great review.<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-42624626625447883682014-03-27T15:01:33.617-04:002014-03-27T15:01:33.617-04:00I like the part at the end where they arrive in Al...I like the part at the end where they arrive in Albany, that's where I'm from. Albany, n.y. :-) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12195147660181273381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-73199492994301808502014-03-27T14:57:23.495-04:002014-03-27T14:57:23.495-04:00I love the film Damnation Alley despite some of th...I love the film Damnation Alley despite some of the flaws. I especially like the Land master vehicle which reminds me a lot of the V-100 armored car I was a machine gunner on in Viet Nam.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12195147660181273381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-17006688344779575622014-03-27T14:51:41.455-04:002014-03-27T14:51:41.455-04:00I love the film Damnation Alley also despite some ...I love the film Damnation Alley also despite some of the flaws. The Land master was great. It reminded me a lot of the V-100 armored car that I was a machine gunner on in Viet Nam.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12195147660181273381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-16981192464421174832011-04-14T18:32:47.565-04:002011-04-14T18:32:47.565-04:00http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuC_mcWKn8o
Like W...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuC_mcWKn8o<br /><br />Like Weird Al's "The Saga Begins", Hawkwind's song "Damnations Alley" is much more fun than the movie it goes along with (though to be fair I'm pretty sure the Hawks based their song on the book).DLRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-40604873037702346482011-04-13T19:37:02.017-04:002011-04-13T19:37:02.017-04:00For me, the single most memorable thing about this...For me, the single most memorable thing about this film is the Landmaster. It's just one of the many cool vehicles Dean Jeffries built for several films and tv shows (Sleeper, Logan's Run,etc). It's the same with Ark II, the vehicle is the most memorable thing. <br /><br />To be fair, some of the film's effects were impressive when the film was made. The skies enhanced with laser effects seemed cool then (not so much now). In 1978, Battlestar Galactica's pilot featured scenes in a nebula (achieved with red lasers), while exciting then, are now very unconvincing (the nebula looks like a laser and not like a real nebula). The motorcycle/scorpian scenes are bad. The same 'coffee filter' look also applies to the scorpian battle in 'Clash of the Titans'.<br /><br />The film always had a cheap look to me. I agree that a much more damaged world would have been more impressive ( and expensive efx-wise).<br /><br />Seriously, the best news reading these comments is that "Battle Beyond the Stars" is on BluRay! 'Damnation Alley' has some fun moments, but I don't miss it much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-30415005508924084272011-04-13T15:46:01.913-04:002011-04-13T15:46:01.913-04:00Boy o boy, John, did I ever want to see this work....Boy o boy, John, did I ever want to see this work. I think I actually showed the trailer for this film during my stint as a projectionist (<i>long ago... in a galaxy far, far away</i>). And, it really revved my imagination. Then, I finally watched it. You're right, "<i>the Landmaster</i>" is the sole remnant of any warm feelings I have toward the film. Granted, I was just into my twenties and that may be why I have so little fondness toward the film (maybe it was the <i>killer cockcoaches</i>, too). I read somewhere that author Zelazny really hated this film. Still, you presented a fine look back at this one, John. Thanks.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-12037375791323009462011-04-13T07:04:34.708-04:002011-04-13T07:04:34.708-04:00Kentucky Packrat: Another terrific comment. And y...Kentucky Packrat: Another terrific comment. And you're right, the happy ending at Albany (after the Earth miraculously rights itself...) doesn't exactly seem to ring true, does it? While watching, my wife asked me, how Albany managed to escape radiation and destruction? (And she also asked me why it seems only white people survived! :) )<br /><br />Erich: It is a shame that even with the Landmaster, killer cockroaches and giant scorpions that the film couldn't be better. It's memorable for sure, but not very good. <br /><br />My parents had a similar rule about R rated movies, which is why I didn't get to see Alien when I was nine, to my endless torment! But they did take me to see Starship Invasions in the theater... :)<br /><br />More coming...John Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-74205368883382428472011-04-13T06:47:13.958-04:002011-04-13T06:47:13.958-04:00Hi all,
Great comments concerning Damnation Alley...Hi all,<br /><br />Great comments concerning Damnation Alley, a sentimental favorite, if not a great movie.<br /><br />That Neil Guy: Thank you for the links and the news about the DVD. I want to check out your Landmaster links, ASAP. W share an admiration for that vehicle, that's for sure (and also reservations about the actual film...)<br /><br />Sci-Fi Fanatic: I also hope a DVD for this is forthcoming. I would buy it, full well knowing the film's flaws and problems. There's still something magical about it, despite all the problems. And I agree, wouldn't the Landmaster change the nature of the equation on The Walking Dead? Absolutely!<br /><br />I just found out, Battle Beyond the Stars is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray. Man...I've got to see that one again!<br /><br />Hi Ivan: I also need to check out your link! We are simpatico about Zelazny's book -- fantastic. They should remake Damnation Alley today with the Landmaster, and Zelazny's narrative, I think!<br /><br />More responses to come...<br /><br />best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-66749761659388077502011-04-12T20:04:22.345-04:002011-04-12T20:04:22.345-04:00Landmaster deserved so much better.Landmaster deserved so much better.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03097420555737415471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-77559444838049412532011-04-12T16:36:01.294-04:002011-04-12T16:36:01.294-04:00Fellow Landmaster fans - check out this page: http...Fellow Landmaster fans - check out this page: http://www.snowcrest.net/fox/landmaster/That Neil Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00282313787969964446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-59912325798863166352011-04-12T16:24:44.181-04:002011-04-12T16:24:44.181-04:00this was heartening to read. I too grew up awed by...this was heartening to read. I too grew up awed by this land rover thing, and the idea of giant scorpions and cockroaches attacking on every side, etc. and even then read it sucked and never bothered to try and convince my parents to take me to see it. (Wasn't it rated R? My parents were strict on that... once we drove to see Animal House (i would have been 11 or so) and when he saw it was rated R turned right around and drove us home-- what?)Erich Kuerstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02850572368098319317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-54113722816747888062011-04-12T13:49:29.167-04:002011-04-12T13:49:29.167-04:00I remember seeing this one on TV when I was younge...I remember seeing this one on TV when I was younger. The cheese could have kept a pizza place going for years, but it was still neat.<br /><br />I remember seeing the end and thinking: that's a ripoff. They're supposed to get to the end and Albany be a wasteland too.<br /><br />I guess my cynicism and turn towards noir was working even then. :)Kentucky Packrathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01444480982718107017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-88371768305074291552011-04-12T13:22:11.967-04:002011-04-12T13:22:11.967-04:00JKM: You've probably typed more words about th...JKM: You've probably typed more words about this flick than some would feel it deserves, but thank you!<br /><br />A while ago, I wrote a piece on Zelazny's great book, along with some commentary about the movie, and my own tribute to the Landmaster:<br />http://ivanlandia1.blogspot.com/2009/02/hell-damnation-looking-at-zelaznys-out.html<br /><br />Thanks,<br />IvanIvanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16443946766217092846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-37184091006059074472011-04-12T13:11:55.167-04:002011-04-12T13:11:55.167-04:00Boy John. I was very excited to read your assessm...Boy John. I was very excited to read your assessment on Damnation Alley, a film that was a popular favorite from my youth. I LOVED that film and I saw it in theatres.<br /><br />With a rig like that thing why wouldn't 20th Century Fox be excited. Damn [nation]! That truck is hot! Oh, apocalypse story too is always good. : )<br /><br />Sign me up for that DVD. I'm definitely on board for it should it ever hit Blu-Ray. That would be a welcome arrival like Battle Beyond The Stars.<br /><br />But, in relation to the criticism out there, like Star Wars, I enjoyed the traditional aspect of the film's assembly of survivors. It's the journey we enjoy most with their rather invincible vehicle.<br /><br />In fact, maybe the folks in The Walking Dead will come across this truck and they'll be able to use it in Season Two. Now that would be a story. : )<br /><br />Ah yes, the Landmaster! Truly a miracle of innovation. Perhaps we were in the same theatre after we were separated at birth. Honestly John, you really tapped into my inner child with this one and I'm thankful for your coverage of it. This is the first piece I've ever read on the film since seeing it as a child.<br /><br />I've also not seen many images, nor have I looked, so these images were very nice. Thank you.<br /><br />You really recount that opening nicely. I remember it well. Peppard looks so young by the way.<br /><br />I remember the Landmaster going through the water. It was very cool as a kid to see that.<br /><br />Well, you pretty much brought me back to reality with all of the film's flaws with that review and I think ultimately even my inner child knew it had problems. Those effects were dodgy when I saw the film as a kid, but I was still scared. The DVD would be a maybe at this point.<br /><br />Sad to hear the film clearly doesn't even make an effort to get its apocalyptic factors to really make sense and that is disappointing. Well, I appreciate your honesty in assessing the film correctly. I suppose it bombed for a reason.<br /><br />I guess I'll just have to see the film for the Landmaster which may be the biggest reason for the executive's excitement in making the film too. Or, maybe we could just get the rights to it and build a diecast metal rig.<br /><br />Oh, and I LOVE Missile Command too! Fun fun fun!SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-18507443485577670842011-04-12T12:21:44.231-04:002011-04-12T12:21:44.231-04:00This is just a spot-on review. I want to like this...This is just a spot-on review. I want to like this film so much. I really wanted to like it when I saw it in the theater, but just couldn't. Sigh.<br /><br />I wrote about my own nostalgia for the Landmaster a coupla years ago: http://thatneilguy.blogspot.com/2009/02/damnation-alley-or-how-i-learned-to.htmlThat Neil Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00282313787969964446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-73605111438849567892011-04-12T12:15:38.338-04:002011-04-12T12:15:38.338-04:00It may actually be coming to DVD soon: http://amzn...It may actually be coming to DVD soon: http://amzn.to/i3LkJCThat Neil Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00282313787969964446noreply@blogger.com