EDITOR’S NOTE: As the journey through Cannon continues, this week we’re exploring the films of 21st Century Film Corporation, which would be the company that Menahem Golan would take over after Cannon. Formed by Tom Ward and Art Schweitzer in 1971 (or 1976, there are some disputed expert opinions), 21st Century had a great logo and released some wild stuff.

45 years ago, Greydon Clark decided that he was going to direct and write a movie that would bring together a cast that would make me lose my mind. Well, he did it. Mel Ferrer as the conflicted sheriff. Darby Hinton as race car driver Mark. Mel Ferrer and Ralph Meeker play small town cops. Neville Brand plays a bartender. Stephen McNally is the angry dad whose kid gets killed in a race and uses the cops to crack skills. Stuntwoman Diane Peterson plays Mark’s engine obsessed girlfriend Lynn. And it’s all shot by Dean Cundy, so it looks way better than it should.

Adult Darby Hinton without a mustache is a weird thing. He looks like John Schneider.

The Hi-Riders like to race, they like to drink and they like to smash stuff up. But yeah, when a race between Billy (Brad Reardon) and McNally’s son goes bad, they’re in for trouble. Leader T.J.  (William Beaudine, Jr.) and Mark have to fight their way out, if they can, after the rest of the gang are murdered.

If you’re watching movies just for the cars, Mark has an amazing 1968 Pontiac Firebird, while T.J. has a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T. It also has a twisty ending, which I am all for, as it ends with a crazy stunt after all the double crosses.

Sadly, when you see “Vic Rivers – We Loved Him” in the credits, you should know that Rivers was one of the stuntmen who died doing a stunt in this film.

This was originally released by Dimension Pictures and bought by 21st Century.

You can watch this on YouTube.