So much average

Great Film overall

Fantastic!

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Forget about those modern junks in "Fast and Furious", with exhausts that sound like someone rattling beans in a tin can. There's no long, drawn out kissy-face love story going on here to waste your time, either…although , the good guy does wind up with the bad guy's girl in the end, but it's all good fun. This flick is for every down-and-dirty dude who has ever busted his knuckles on his ride all week long, just to be able to make it to the local cruise night or dragstrip on Saturday night and give those trailer queens a run for their money!If you are looking for stellar acting, this isn't the film for you, as is the case with most made for TV movies. But if an all-primered pre-war Willys with a Hemi and a Blower, A cool Studebaker pickup, a big block Olds Cutlass, and tons of other classic rods get your blood cookin', you need to own this one! It's also cool to see all the soon-to-be famous actors who graced this movie like Robert Culp, Grant Goodeve, Gregg Henry, Ed Begley Jr. and Pernell Roberts, before they moved on to higher paying gigs. Also, I don't know where they came up with the technical adviser for this movie, but someone had a clue here, for a refreshing change. Or at least, until they start taking Hemi's out of AMC Matadors, but hey…could've happened, right?OK, here's the story line-Take a good guy with very little cash (sound familiar?), who does ALL his own work (and they show it!), who challenges authority and the bad guys who have all the advantages, and you've got the framework for a decent flick every self-respecting rodder should own. In one memorable scene, the cops pull the hero over, give him yet another ticket (that he has no intention of paying) and when he tries to leave, he cranks the battery dead and the Willys needs to be push-started. Oh man, I can't even remember how many times I was that guy! You just don't get that kind of reality in most 'Car-Movies'. I was thrilled to finally get a DVD copy from Charter Entertainment, as my VHS copy was worn thin. I still watch this flick at least twice a year, usually before I go racing!You never see this movie on any car magazine's "Top 10 Favorite Car Movies" list for some reason. I don't know if it's too unknown, or just another conspiracy from the "Paint Job" crowd? But I haven't seen this many cool cars floating around since "Heart Like A Wheel", not to mention the footage of the now-vanished dragstrip in Lyons, California. Get youself a copy and enjoy! You won't regret it!

The greatest drag racing movie ever made, by far, is American Nitro. Originally released in 1979, this classic movie has developed a cult following among drag race fans and is currently in re-release on DVD.Along with all the top drivers of the 1970s, this film includes a whole sync sound color sequence on "Jungle Jim" Liberman and the only full color, professionally shot, sequence on "Jungle" Pam's drag strip performance.This movie brings back the golden age of drag racing.The film just sucks you in. Many people have commented that they have watched it 20 times and more. If you go to the American Nitro Facebook page you will see their comments.Google it. b.

My husband and I are avid movie watchers and we enjoy all genres. We found this movie to be the best hot rod movie made in years. We really enjoyed it and we wish it was available on DVD or video. What we really liked is that it was a fairly accurate reflection of that time period. The story line was good and so was the acting. My husband's favourite part was when they stole the engine out of the police car and everyone chipping in to help the hero was great too. It is appropriate for family viewing as well. It's too bad there aren't more movies like this. We'd like to get a copy for our collection. Hopefully if enough people comment of this movie it will become available for purchase.

Being a big fan of drag racing, i think this movie is deffinately the finest 1/4 mile drag movie of all time, the cars are phenominal and the track actions is the greatest especially being about vintage drag racing, also the music soundtrack couldnt be any better, overall just a great movie and i wish it would be available on dvd or vhs to purchase.