Cannonball! (1976) on Netflix
Out of jail, Coy "Cannonball" Buckman enters the illegal Trans-America Grand Prix, a no-rules race from Los Angeles to New York. Modern Motors will sign him or rival Cade Redman, whoever wins.
- Netflix3.3/5
- IMDb5.5/105,912 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes20%
Trailer
Plot summary
Drivers race illegally from Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles to New York City in the Trans-America Grand Prix. Coy "Cannonball" Buckman, recently out of prison after a drunk-driving crash killed a girl, wants the win to restart his career. Modern Motors has promised its contract to whoever finishes first between him and his arch-rival Cade Redman. Coy is on probation, and Linda Maxwell, the parole officer he is having an affair with, tries to stop him from crossing state lines; he makes her ride with him instead. Redman carries country singer Perman Waters and manager Sharma Capri, who pay his expenses in exchange for the trip. The field also includes teenage sweethearts Jim Crandell and Maryann, corrupt cop Terry McMillan, three waitresses in a van, German driver Wolfe Messer, Beutell Morris and Coy's friend Zippo.
Cast
- Diane Lee Hartas Wendy, Girl in the Van #2
- Glynn Rubinas Ginny, Girl in the Van #3
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Cannonball! (1976)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Bartel later said he worked for a year on Death Race 2000 for $5,000, "so when it was finished I desperately needed money. The only thing anybody wanted from me was another car picture, hence Cannonball." He added that he is "not, and never have been, very much interested in cars and racing."
- The name of the film and the plot were inspired by Erwin G. "Cannonball" Baker, who traveled across the United States several times, and by the illegal cross-continent road race introduced by Brock Yates to protest the 55 MPH speed limit.
