Cannonball (film)

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Cannonball is a 1976 film starring David Carradine. The film is one of two released in 1976 (the other being The Gumball Rally) that were based on a real illegal cross-continent road race that took place for a number of years in the United States. The same topic later became the basis for the films The Cannonball Run and Cannonball Run II. The movie was written and directed by Paul Bartel, who also directed Death Race 2000.

The name of the film and the plot were inspired by Erwin G. "Cannon Ball" Baker, (1882-1960), who travelled across the USA several times, and by the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, an illegal cross-continent road race introduced by Brock Yates to protest against the 55 MPH speed limit.

The Trans-America Grand Prix is an illegal race held every year between Los Angeles, California and New York, New York. David Carradine plays a recently released convict, Cannonball Buckman, trying to restart his automobile racing career by entering the race. Buckman is still on parole and if he is caught in the illegal race he will go back to prison; his brother also enters the race with an identical car and an identical paint job to try and run cover for Buckman.

The race degenerates into a violent demolition derby as contestants use any means at their disposal to try and eliminate the competition. It culminates in a multiple car pileup in New York.

Martin Scorsese, Roger Corman, and Sylvester Stallone have cameo appearances.

[edit] Cars

Cars featured in the movie include a 1974 DeTomaso Pantera,a 1973 Pontiac Trans Am,a 1968 Ford Mustang,a black 1969 Dodge Charger,and a 1970 Lincoln Contenential Town Coupe

[edit] External links

• Cannonball! at the Internet Movie Database