VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

GazerRise Fantastic!

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

videorama-759-859391 Here's a movie that lives cool, and may'be that was never the intention. As just having watched it again, it brings me back to 82, and it's scene and culture back then. What I refer to as the good old days. Most of the film seems to be in Sydney if I'm not mistaken. Simply the stories about a young good looking guy, Mike, who needs to do something for himself, and be good at something. His want happens to be outrunning the local racing junkie thug, Fox (Moir) kind of a little old for the part, but great in the role, where cool rebel and defiant Mike played by (Serio) is only average, even if a little under par, where they're are moments when his acting grabs you, by not many. His expressions and that are limited, almost void. Standout performances are of course, a blind old rocker/racing nut, Reggie, played by veteran (Cullen) who steals the film like he does with many others. He's a character full of wisdom and inspiration, who helps Mike revamp and old car with the works. No sooner does this car become totaled. The love interest, Jules, (Deborah Convoy) is quite good, where we see her bare in a couple of scenes. The shiner she took from being run into the fridge, was a bit exaggerated. One visually tense scene, when first viewing it back in 84, I couldn't believe, was Mike's car set aflames, in an ambush, where him, Jules and his Greek mate, escape, frantically driving the burning and speeding wreck, into a lake. Graham Bond, the real movie stealer, sadly only has a couple of scenes, as a bad guy cop, a real cowboy, reveling in his part. He wants Fox's action, Fox wincing, like a real wuzz, under his control. The charismatic Gerry Sont, as Mike's younger neighbour, Victor creates a spirited and enthused, take note performance, his inspirational role model, just happening to be Mike. Awesome haunting soundtrack. With some real funny moments, this enthusiastic Ozzie popcorn pic, is an oldie, with cult status, car freaks will like or the young crowd. But time passes quick in this pic. Be warned.

Woodyanders If Monte Hellman's legendary early 70's road movie masterpiece "Two-Lane Blacktop" had been done more like a stark, stripped-down, fiercely taut and straightforward brooding mood piece embellished upon by that distinctly mean'n'lean, rough'n'tough, very raw and ragged macho Australian mentality and topped off with a generous sprinkling of dour, despairing, no-hope-whatsoever end-of-the-road punk nihilism, it would undoubtedly be much similar to this jarringly bleak and atmospheric knockout.Nice guy factory worker Mike (an appealingly scruffy Terry Serio) runs afoul of sneering, shades-wearing fascist car race champ Fox (a perfectly hateful Richard Moir) when he steals Fox's fetching model girlfriend Julie (the lovely Deborah Conway) away from him. Mike and Fox begin competing in increasingly lethal races in which the stakes become higher and higher with each successive bout, finally culminating in an especially pulse-pounding all-or-nothing race with only one true winner allowed. Mike, assisted by his worried, but loyal Italian mechanic pal Tony (a splendidly smooth turn by Vangelis Mourikis) and tutored by blind, supremely hip 50's-style greaser rebel (marvelously essayed with maximum coolness by Max Cullen), willingly puts his life on the line for the sake of his reputation, the affection of his old lady, the money, and, most importantly, for the chance to topple the haughty Fox from his gloating, glowering thrown. Directed with utmost gravity and intensity by John Clark, written to laconically right-on perfection by Barry Tomblim, with a shivery, flesh-crawling synthesizer score by Peter Crosbie and spare, unadorned cinematography by David Gribble, this authentically gnarly early 80's item presents the concept of racing cars as not only a funky alternate lifestyle, but also an all-consuming obsession and reason for living (it's the sole thing most of the film's characters are really passionate about) with a remarkably astute and unblinking eye. Complete with a harrowing downbeat ending and unsparingly grim central message about the bitter price one pays for being top dog, this riveting depiction of a dead-end existence rates as an extraordinary cinematic achievement.

mattevanspenguin 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-"

CybaGirl I remember watching this movie many years ago on VHS at a friends place. At first I thought it would be a boring car movie. But much to my surprise it ended up being one of the best movies I can remember watching for its time.It has a good story line and best of all it has some awesome Aussie cars and street racing. I really loved Fox's car the most which was a worked Dodge Charger. The paint work which was done on this car was truly outstanding in my opinion :)!There's also a black two door blown 57 Chev which comes into the movie later on. I actually managed to get a copy of this movie on VHS last year at K-Mart over here in Australia. I did have plans of converting this movie to DVD myself as I believe it is a movie worth the conversion. But much to my surprise this weekend while I was browsing the DVD movie bin I came across it on DVD. So of course I grabbed it while I could as it was the only copy there.Anyway if you really want to see some classic street racing with real muscle cars, including a great story line without a rice burner in sight. Then this movie is for you!!!!Here is some additional info taken from the back of the DVD.He'll Win At Any Cost Fox is a young man that lives in the fast lane. He believes he is the fastest man on the road - but street racing is illegal. If he doesn't accept his latest challenge he could loose his girl... if he does accept, he could lose his life. Living dangerously, living fast and winning at any cost is their obsession. They don't turn back, the don't give in.. and the don't ask for help.