MovieChat Forums > Race for the Yankee Zephyr (1984) Discussion > Go buy the movie, so we can talk about i...

Go buy the movie, so we can talk about it


This isn't the best film in the world, but it's very enjoyable. It deserves a live message board of its own. Trolls unwelcome, but anyone else who's seen the film - or wants to hear about it - come on board and talk.

reply

Gib: "Err... well it's a bit hard to tell, last time I saw her I was arse over end underneith the Mix-master."

Mr. Brown: "Ha, ha ha, that can be aranged."

*Forever Cho Chang Fan*
Cho's story continues at: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1552296/1/

reply

That makes TWO of us who either have the movie, or have seen it, recently (and I suspect NOBODY who doesn't have the movie in their collection has seen it, recently). So, you interested in marriage?

reply

I've had a copy since like 2002, but it's old, and the picture quality isn't that good. But I bought it remembering watching it on HBO, or HBO2 or something once. I like helicopters, and this movie featured a lot of them. In the begining the rich dear farm owners used Hues 500MD's, and the bad guys later had a Bell Jet Ranger, and poor Gibby and Barny had a cute little Schwiser 300C. But the story line was great, and the sceanry beautiful. I also loved the music. A very fun adventure. I don't even know if I even have the VHS tape, but when I first bought it, I watched it over, and over.
I see you like Buster Keaton. I've never seen any of his films, but Jackie Chan said in an interview that Buster Keaton was one of the main enfluances of Chan's comic style. What do you mean marriage?

*Forever Cho Chang Fan*
Cho's story continues at: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1552296/1/

reply

The marriage thing was an overly-enthusiastic thought. I wouldn't marry any man, unless he was very good, in bed.

I recall Jackie saying that. If people could get over an Asian playing a Caucasian, I think Jackie would be the ideal person to play Buster, in the long-overdue TRUE movie of Buster's life.

reply

That would be interesting, about Jackie Chan, but not terribly historically accurate. HE looks nothing like Buster Keaton, (I saw a documentary on PBS since I last posted, and Jackie has a thick Hong Kong accent. But he could be a stunt double for Jonnie Depth. As for buying the movie, I've practically got it memorized. I like when they put tank tracks on the broken Chopper, and drove it around. Also a funny part was when Sal tried to fire the assault rifle for the first time.

*Forever Cho Chang Fan*
Cho's story continues at: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1552296/1/

reply

Does anyone got or has seen the Region 1 DVD?

I heard from a source that's its in Widescreen (2:35.1), but I can't find any proof on that.

Someone help? I wanna see it, but I will only see it in Widescreen.

The Australian DVD is in Fullscreen, but I can't find the correct specs for the Region 1 DVD. Anyone help?

reply

[deleted]

What version do you have? I know there are many versions out there.
I recall the advertising campain in Kansas City, MO. I was enthralled by the A-Team helicopter 4x4 machine.

reply

I've seen this film and thought it was a lot of fun. Donald Pleasence in particular was a total hoot as the boozy and crotchety Gibbie. Great rousing score by Brian May, too.

"We're all part Shatner/And part James Dean/Part Warren Oates/And Steven McQueen"

reply

I need to watch the film, again; unfortunately, I only have it on VHS, and my VCR is shot, at the moment. What I remember, watching the commercials for the film, is the hybrid copter/tractor, and I thought that was way too cool to pass up. I was right; it was cool. But it met such a disappointing end...

reply

The "tractor" in the contraption was a 6-wheeled dune buggy that was very popular in the '70s. They set a Hughes 300 cabin on top of it and installed the optional track setup. Pretty easy conversion.

reply

I first saw this movie ( a couple of times) in the cinema in the UK in the 80's, where it was called RACE for the Yankee Zephyr. I love it. Sure, it's got flaws, but it's a lot of fun. Donald Pleasance is brilliant, with a ton of quotable lines, the scenery is spectacular, the helicopter flying is awesome, and it has one of the best jet boat chases ever. Not bad at all. Such a pity the only DVD available is such poor quality, and not even in widescreen format.

reply

this is a fun film, i'd luv to buy it on blu ray!!

reply