MovieChat Forums > Race with the Devil (1975) Discussion > Do You Think There Should Be A Remake?

Do You Think There Should Be A Remake?

posted 19 years ago by mrenigma22
44 replies | jump to latest

This may sound like an odd question, since most people seem to shy away from remakes, and hate them with a passion, but I figured since Hollywood seems bent on redoing all of the classics from the 70's (Texas Chainsaw..., Amittyville Horror, etc.), maybe they ought to remake this one. I had heard about Race with the Devil for years from my dad and mom (I'm 20 now), and being a confirmed horror flick buff (and future horror novelist, hopefully), I bought a copy of it on Ebay. I enjoyed the film, but I was a little disappointed at how corny it seemed, and how bad the special effects were. I sat there watching the movie (which has a great premise mind you, and some wonderful acting), but I saw some area's that could be changed, things that could be improved apon. I could see these things in my mind as I watched the film, and I started to see that a remake might actually be good, where the others have failed to reach the potential their originals set for them. I don't know, maybe I've been spoiled by the effects of my day, but then I think about films like Psycho and North by Northwest, and I realize that they did make some great films while not on the biggest effects buggets back in the old days. So maybe this title would be made better with the effects and writing of our day. What do you folks think (please be nice, I know most people hate remakes, and usually, I'm with you guys on that)?

We elected the wrong man, pray for America

Foster M. Wolf

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Xuesheng 19 years ago

Ask and ye shall receive.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=598&e=1&u=/nm/20050405/film_nm/film_devil_dc

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] kmw516 19 years ago

That was a cute little rant, but it was completely and totally off topic.

[–] corsicagt 19 years ago

kmw516: "That was a cute little rant, but it was completely and totally off topic."

No Kidding... Geesh...

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mrenigma22 19 years ago

Well, thanks for supporting free speech buddy. I'm just using my constitutional rights here, showing my opinion (which is what you're supposed to do on message boards), but if you disagree, you can. Thanks for mentioning the signature though, you're the first person to notice it. Glad I got someone talking. It is my opinion that we elected the wrong man, but I don't feel we should "be nice" to terrorists; they're murderer's, and should be treated accordingly. It seems funny to me that you would mention that we liberal's "shoot off at the mouth, and venomously attack" anything we disagree with, but that's exactly what you're doing now (attacking me when I said nothing to you). How else are you supposed to change something you disagree? You talk about it, try to change it. What if everyone who disagreed with Hitler and Nazi Germany hadn't stood up and "shot of their mouths"? Well, I may be typing in a different language right now. Same goes for abolitionists and the Civil War. How about if the colonists hadn't decided to fight for freedom? A lot of great things have come from disagreeing. And it does go both ways across the aisle. I certainly never heard you conservatives bitching about Clinton when you disagreed with him. No, wait a minute, yeah, you folks voiced your opinions when you disagreed with him all the time (which you should have, it's your, and my, right as American citizens). Republicans spent the whole of the 90's complaining (not that there's anything wrong with that). And what's wrong with tollerence? You seem to be the kind of gentlemen who would have loved the race riots of the early 60's; all that head bashin' would have suited you good. I shouldn't have said any of that, I don't wish to bring myself down to your level, but I kind of went off. I appologize to anyone who disagrees, I didn't mean to offend.

Now, to ammend my original idea: I'm glad they're remaking it, but do you all feel Race With the Devil can be improved apon?

p.s.

You call this one of your favorite films, and you hate liberals? What about Peter Fonda's stance on Viet Nam? He's certainly in our ranks. Hell, most of Hollywood is liberal (more so than I, a moderate). You must not watch a lot of movies.

We elected the wrong man, pray for America

Foster M. Wolf

[–] pyrofanatic 17 years ago

You only have to look at Bush's chimpanzee face to realise that he's stupid. And he believes that God is guiding him.... now THATS dangerous...

[–] firebird_1965 17 years ago

stevenfallonnyc, I guess I'm two years too late, but man, your response was perhaps the best post I've ever seen.

"It's so funny, for a party that preaches "tolerance" the democrats seem to do nothing but shoot off at the mouths and venomously attack at everything they don't agree with."

1000% right.

Too bad the person who started this thread decided to inject politics into a thread about a completely non-political movie. It was totally inapprorpiate and it's so telling that it's always the liberals who keep doing this, not only in threads about movies, but in baseball and investing boards I post on as well.

Either stick to the damn subject or shut up. If you want to shove your politics down my throat then go to a political board.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] girlcrush 19 years ago

Hey, who mentioned politics? Nobody. So, what is that idiot going on about? This is a movie forum, not a political debate forum. Give us a damn break! Sheesh!

Meanwhile, back on topic...

I don't like most remakes either. I've had my fill of them—quite frankly—so no, I don't think there should be a remake of this movie. Hey, here's a radical idea: why doesn't someone come up with an original idea for a movie and stop ripping off old movies?

A girl in trouble is a temporary thing.

[–] rrebenstorf 19 years ago

I think what most people fail to realize is that the things that are "wrong" about a movie are as responsible for its unique character and soul as are the things that are "right" about a movie. My main problem with remakes is that they tend to completely ruin all the special flaws of the originals.

[–] girlcrush 19 years ago

<i>I think what most people fail to realize is that the things that are "wrong" about a movie are as responsible for its unique character and soul as are the things that are "right" about a movie. My main problem with remakes is that they tend to completely ruin all the special flaws of the originals.</i>

That's a very good point! I totally agree with you.

Also, remakes sometimes seem to have a "wink-wink, nudge-nudge" kind of feel to them that spoils them for people who never saw the original. Like they're saying, "Hey, remember when this used to happen?". And most of today's young audience is like, "Um, no. Not really. We aren't old enough to remember, you moron.". And those of us who do remember are like, "This movie sucks! It didn't happen anything like this, you idiot.". It's like they kinda piss on it so the younger audience will think it's funny and laugh at it, and at the same time, they try to make the older audience feel nostalgic and sentimental about it. How can I feel nostalgic about something you're taking the piss on? "Starsky and Hutch" is a perfect example of this. Any true, longtime S & H fan would hate the way they trivialized the friendship between these two men in that movie and made it seem like they're gay for each other, when the fact of the matter is: they were partners and best friends who loved each other like brothers. I admit that I laughed a few times too when I first say the movie, but after the 100th gay joke, I just got pissed and felt like "enough already!". Jeez!

A girl in trouble is a temporary thing.

[–] rrebenstorf 19 years ago

You've hit the nail on the head with your observation about the "wink-wink, nudge-nudge" phenomenon. And this is also true of contemporary films that are not remakes. It is as if the worst cinematic crime today is not to be "in" on your own joke. So these filmmakers constantly wink at us. And they nudge. And then they wink again.

They're like comedians who say, "Just kidding" after every punch line.

[–] the lioness 19 years ago

It depends on the film and who's doing the film. For example, while many here don't like the remake of The Haunting, I thought it was okay b/c it helped me understand the first one just a little. However, I still like the original b/c of its dark and sinister mood & atmosphere. The director of the remake just could't duplicate that.

The remakes of Psycho & Amityville weren't all that either! But then again, with Amityville, I think someone needs to do a film regarding the real murder mystery surrounding that case. That sounds better than that haunted house crap!

Now young man, we must teach you about 70's films. First, don't expect much in the way of special effects. Remember, CGI wasn't around then. Second, cheesy acting is to be expected. Truth be told, I think that's one reason some 70's flicks have become cult classics. Third...films about the devil and satanic worship started becoming big in the 60's & was fading by the late 70's. This film is sort of a swan song for the devil subgenre in horror films.

As for a remake, I don't see them sticking to the plot for that reason. I hope the project gets a red light from the studio. Plus, due to the failure of the Exorsists prequels, I think the studio working on this project may not let it go forward.

Leave RWTD as is.

That's my take on the situation...

[–] samuri5 17 years ago

To Lioness...

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ APPLAUSE! ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

Just when I thought that I was out they pull me back in.

[–] the lioness 17 years ago

I thank you....

[–] eeleyebrown 17 years ago

Looks like they're doing a remake. Im looking forward to it. My older brother told me about this movie and I saw it a few yrs ago. It was pretty good. Looked like something you'd see at a drive-in. Dont know how popular it was back then but a remake of this would be a good idea if done right. But not to be pessimistic but Im expecting a Hollywood version would be a typical borefest full of cameos (Peter Fonda again), and product endorsements.

[–] oxblood 17 years ago

Im feelin' ya on that, eeleye. I hope they dont mess it up. It was a classic. I saw it at the drive-in back in the day along with Carrie and Devil's Rain. It was pretty creepy then though it didnt really age too well. It's still effective though. The rattlesnake scene still got me this time around too. I had to get out of the car when I saw it at the drive-in cuz my girl and my buddies all started grabbing me and they knew how much I hate snakes. They gotta put that in the new one.

[–] forrealman 19 years ago

I think a remake would be good. But only if they dont follow the original script exactly, make a version that doesnt feel like a remake of the '75 film or any other road chase movie (Duel, Joy Ride, Breakdown, etc.). Make it fast-paced, leave out unnecessary dialogue, leave out the all-too-common scenes of crowd paranoia (overdone in these type movies) where strangers are gazing hauntingly at the couples @ swimming pools or in bars. Leave out the library scene, also. Wasted film. Just have one of the wives show her husband the books she "borrowed" from the library while the husbands were out. Make it an adventure psychologically for the audience as well as a visual thrill-ride.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Woodyanders 18 years ago

I think they should leave this movie alone. It's just fine the way it is. We don't need a remake. The filmmakers of the remake would probably change things for the worse, not the better. For example, there would be a lot less characterization and plenty more action. The main characters would be a lot younger as well to make the film more appealing to a modern teenage audience. The pace would be much more faster, instead of the gradual easing you into the main story build-up that the original did so well. And that shocking downbeat surprise twist ending would be radically changed in favor of a more upbeat conclusion.

"Warren Oates died for our sins"

[–] tabbycat 18 years ago

Although the track record for remakes isn't great, I still hold out hope.

The sad fact is that if a movie is "too old", you can't get non-buffs to watch it, no matter how good it is. I remember giving a tape of the original "Stepford Wives" to a twenty-something friend when it finally came out on video. He liked foreign and indie films, yet returned the tape saying he couldn't get past the first ten minutes.

Race With the Devil is not just a great popcorn flick. It's a great story about denial and paranoia, and how too much of the first can get you killed. The idea of two workaholic middle-aged friends who finally celebrate their "arrival" with a much-deserved ski trip only to find that they can't quite accept that they've stepped in deep doo-doo has a lot of resonance.

I personally wanted to take a crack at this screenplay myself long before the remake materialized. I wanted to keep most of the story elements, but simply bring the dated stuff into the 21st century so folks like my friend won't be turned off. The Road King, for example. What would be a more 2006 equivalent?
I'm not talking make and model here, but concept. Does it have to be a motor home? I tried, but couldn't come up with a substitute. The motor home is key to the story for these reasons:

1) It's expensive and luxurious. They're proud of it.
2) It's "self-contained, baby!" They think they don't need any hotels, restaurants, or civilization. Little do they know.
3) They think of it as a big, bad, bulldozer -- king of the highway. Reality: with homicidal satanists chasing you on dark dirt roads, it becomes a lumbering death trap.

Substituting younger characters poses a similar problem. They need to be old enough to be successful and invested psychologically in having a relaxing vacation. Plus the couples need to be longtime friends.

According to Fangoria, the first draft of the new version was nearly a shot-for-shot remake, a la Omen. Producer didn't like that, and later drafts are apparently connected to the original only in the loosest sense. This worries me deeply, as it sounds like they're not even keeping the original story thread.

The worst part is knowing that if they f it up, there won't be a third one.
I guess I should have put more effort into getting involved sooner.

[–] Hugh-Jorgen 16 years ago

I'm hoping for a remake but in the way that they did 'The Hills Have Eyes'. That's about the only remake I can think of that was better than the original. Hopefully, the director knows what he's doing and it will done right.