Disc Reviews

Pit Stop Blu-ray Review

pitstopLast year Arrow released two cult classics by Jack Hill, one a relatively unknown, quirky and underrated film called Spider Baby (1965) as well as the cult Blaxploitation classic, Foxy Brown (1974). This year Arrow are continuing releasing the work of this cult director with Pit Stop (1967), a drag race film that many have argued is Hill’s best film. Wonderfully restored it is good to see films like this with refreshed eyes. The film is also known as The Winner, but had to change its title for the films release was delayed for two years and by that time Paul Newman had made a racing film called Winning. But by 1969 the film seemed dated with the counter cultural revolution.

 

The story is a simple one. The film opens on a night-time LA street as engines rev up preparing to race. One is brought to mind at this point less, the drive-in quickies that came out over the previous 10 years, usually from Roger Cormon but instead the daredevil race scene in Rebel Without a Cause comes to mind. One of the racers is the serious and intense Rick Bowman (Richard Davalos). He is watched by a devious race promoter, Grant Willard (played by legendry actor Brian Donlevy, who’s last film this was) who is impressed and approaches him to become a drag racer. The sort of pre-NASCAR drag racing they do is figure of 8 racing in which the cars have a real risk of smashing into each other. But he faces the wrath of a reigning champion in Sidney Hawke (Sid Haig, who appears in most of Hill’s films) who tries to cheat and beat Rick rather than lose his crown. Naturally there are love interest rivals too.

 

About halfway through the film shifts gear again as Rick is mentored by an older more experienced driver and he naturally also falls for his girl, played by a young Ellen Burstyn (here called Ellen McRae). Filmed in Super-8, the film stock gives the races and subsequent crashes an added sense of realism. Although the film on the surface looks like one of the aforementioned Cormon drive-in dragstrip racing movies it has more class and artiness to it. True, that some parts of the film are fairly dull, even clichéd but Davalos adds a moody intensity to his role, a role it could be argued he was already too old for. Haig as the rival adds a degree of mad craziness to his character and the film is presented with a host of extras including interviews (including an interview with Cormon) and commentary by Hill himself. In addition there is the requisite reversible sleeve from Arrow as well as restoration documentaries. It is something of a minor cult classic but don’t expect a great film, but you can expect an interesting and fascinating one.  More of these cult classics please Arrow!

 

Chris Hick

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