Race With the Devil

(1975) *****

I want this poster ever so badly.

Race With the Devil is a personal favorite of mine which I was elated to revisit for the first time in years. (Thank you JPX for mailing me a copy!) The uncomplicated plot follows best friends and business partners Roger and Frank, along with their wives Kelly and Alice en route to Aspen for a relaxing week of skiing. On the first night of their trek they park their luxurious 70's RV in a remote spot in an isolated town in rural Texas. While slugging beers by the river, Roger and Frank witness a bizarre Satanic ritual that concludes with a bloody human sacrifice. When the group of devil worshipers notice the presence of outsiders, Roger and co. are forced to run for their lives. After a narrow escape they notify the sheriff who, unsurprisingly, rewards their civic duty with the typical condescension and mockery expected in such films.





It was probably just hippies having harmless fun. Boys will be boys! Besides, you were drinking weren't you? Let's call it a night. Another job well done boys!

 While the sheriff takes the men on an unproductive trip to the crime scene, the women conduct their own investigation. After some creepy interactions with the locals and several menacing threats later, the group decides that the best course of action is to leave town immediately and never look back. At this point the movie transitions from a Satanic cult mystery into full blown action flick so perfectly and effortlessly that there's no time to ask questions. All you can do is sit back and cheer for the protagonists to make it out alive.



When it comes to this movie I can't help but gush. Warren Oates is a welcome addition to any cast and Peter Fonda was a perfect fit for the role of Roger, a role that requires little more than cool 70's looks and an intelligent, practical persona. He also dressed for the occasion. I dig the sunglasses, but more importantly that patterned button down shirt belongs in the Museum of Everything Awesome, if only such a thing existed.



Q: Exactly how cool is Peter Fonda? A: After tripping on acid with The Beatles his recollection of a near death experience inspired John Lennon to write the song "She Said She Said".



In the past that I have expressed a fondness for movies that involve robed Satanists chanting gibberish. I have watched at least a dozen such movies and nearly every one of them is terrible. Not this one! My rating may seem absurdly generous but I stand by it! Five stars mofos!