La corsa più pazza del mondo

I remember articles about the movie when it was still being shot. It was supposed to be a light hearted romp across the country with the cars being the stars. With that in mind, it succeeds greatly. My son and I have watched the "Garage Scene" over and over again. This movie is to car nuts what a porno is to sex nuts. It's hard to believe you can indulge yourself this much in front of the family without feeling guilty. :^)

Also, I've read a few of the comments and would like to make corrections here. The transmission in the Cobra (yes it was a real 427 Cobra) was a four speed "Toploader" transmission, not a 5 speed Tremec. There were no replica Cobras in those days. Also, the Ferrari was a 365 GTS/4. I also remember reading that the first Ferrari rented for the movie was totaled and they had to get another to take its place. However, that was over 30 years ago.

Whenever this film is on TV, I always go out of my way to watch it. The script isn't over written, nor is the acting overdone as it had been well cast. Raul julia is excellent as as italian lothario who risks losing the race to make time with a groupie. Michael Sarazzin, here playing a bored tycoon, is always excellent in all the '70s movies he made. Whatever happened to him? Anyone out there know. The many stories and characters intertwine neatly, and don't outstay their welcome. Gary Busey also stars as a lame-brain racer, and later went on to portray many a villian in future films.

This film actually inspired a really rich kid to organise an annual gumball around Europe and America. So how's that for an endorsement?

Forget The Cannonball Run and it's straining to get laughs. Check this out if you've never seen it before.

If you're looking for non-stop racing, wild chases and more of the old good movies, check out "the Gumball Rally". It's fast and hilarious, it's old but it didn't lose its charm. My personal favorites were Michael Bannon and Samuel Graves and the car they drove - a beautiful, blue Shelby Cobra. To find out who wins is up to you - so watch it!

There's one negative point I have to add: during the movie, you will only see freaky, no-limit racing and a speed above 100 mph. Oh yes, enjoy the Ferrari 275 GTB. Beside the 250 GT California in FBDO, this is a unique car you won't see a lot in movies!

This is the ultimate anti-Ralph Nader movie.

This movie should be must-see at driving schools, to show drivers-to-be the difference between pointing a car and actually DRIVING.

This movie truly has a sense of humor, as anyone who has owned a sports car can tell you.

From the classic "Lucas-the prince-of-darkness" electrical system of the Jaguar, to the (much cheered by us European car buffs) "corvette incident" (I do not want to give it away).

My favourite is, of course, the motorcyclist, who, if I recall correctly, does not say anything at all during the movie, but steals the show when he is on.

Great fun and several levels above the later copycat "Cannonball Run" series.

Particularly liked by good drivers with a sense of humour.

So, you've just spent thousands of dollars on a new home entertainment center and you want to take it for a spin around the block... what movie do you watch? 'Gumball Rally' would be a lovely choice. It's pure simple fun filled with raw visceral sights and sounds. Leave the serious films till later, this one will make you feel you've gotten your money's worth. Capturing the heart and soul of the real life "Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash" of the '70s, it's the tale of an unofficial, illegal, recurring race from New York to Los Angeles... anything goes. And what goes? Lapchick, the Mad Hungarian, trying to spend 36 hours non-stop on a motorcycle; a van filled with hundreds of gallons of fuel so they don't have to delay for fuel stops; Raul Julia as the Italian race driver Franco and his famous first rule of Italian driving. And in that over-filmed concrete gully known as the LA River there is the BEST sequence ever shot there when a Ferrari Daytona duels with a 427 Cobra... they didn't rely simply on trick shots and undercranked cameras, often the cars were really driven to their limits. Forget the later, far inferior 'Cannonball' movies; the 'Gumball' people actually knew their cars, and they'll have you craving a powerful engine, a full tank of gas, and the open road.