Running on Empty (1982)

the audience applauded

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Overrated and overhyped

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The movie has started, the wheels spin, your car has entered a race against the Fox.... You're behind you can't get in front, you figure, "if i go out, i'm taking you with me..." You smash into the cars parked on the side of the road, you turn to hit Fox but your aim is bad.... Bang, you've gone up the back of a VW, and smash you've landed in a reservoir. Your car lights on fire. You could get out if you wanted, but the shame of losing has taken you... BANG! Your car blows up, everyone looks on in despair, some crying... The sound of a siren tells you the cops are coming. Everyone gets in their cars and bolts, leaving you to burn. The charred remains of the cars frame sits there, haunting the on lookers... You're dead.This is one of the scenes; actually its the first scene in the movie. There are many more like it. As you enter the cockpit of the Fox in his pimped out V8 ford, Terry Serio in his crazy GTHO, and many others in this blast from the past.... JOHN CLARKS masterpiece, "RUNNING ON EMPTY" "-He'll win at any cost-"

Its only been recently released on DVD here in Australia.Prior to this only available on VHS video. A very good friend of mine personally knows the guy who owns the red Ford Falcon GTHO used in the movie....not the the car they mocked up which crashed,caught fire and then had its roof ripped off. It helps if you were of age or close to it when the film was made so you can relate to the whole car culture thing here back then. Seems a bit corny now but always enjoyable to watch. Note...worth going into slow mode close the end after "Fox" loses to the 1957 blown black Chev and and its interesting how this scene was staged and which car didn't blow up when it didn't hit the wall but a substitute car parked away from the wall and blown up..... God i love DVD.

This film has a cult following among the modified car community here in Oz. It may not be the best acting or story line but that is all part of the appeal. Even Rocky Horror Picture Show was a HUGE flop when first released, even MADMAX had to use a different name in the states, The Road Warrior. Sure it's got tacky lines in funny voices from Max Cullen, "green, green is nice" i'm sure would be said once somewhere in Australia every Saturday night by a "pervert car freak deviate"Once you've seen it you will never forget:"Whats ya name?""Piss off!""Piss off? What type of a name is that?""Its polish. Pissov's a Polish name!""OK sheryl, getcha gear off""not now Ram, ya so slow""a polak and a spag! what are ya trying to do? lower housing prices!"mike - "she still snatches in second"tony - "yeah, i know"mike - "she winds up ok, but,,, i'm just loosing too much on the changes"tony - "yeah , you would do"mike - "yeah,,, so waddaya reckon?"tony - "she still snatches in second"mike - "yeah that just could be it!!!"

This is one of my all time favourite movies, if ur not into cars then forget it!! This movie features 1 of Aussies greatest muscle cars, the XYGTHO. Yeah so the acting not the greatest - it was never made to win an oscar. The car action will keep you comin back for more and more. There is a cool collection of muscle cars from the 70's and an Awesome '57 Chev - with a real cool cat drivin it! Also there is a really cool song sung by Terry Serio the main actor. The acting is pretty funny when taken lightly, but the tyre smokin and drag racing is the main focus in this movie. Big fast cars with pleantly of steel(NO PLASTIC CARS), and some cool street dragging. I recommend it only to people that are into cars and not someone looking for great acting.