Most people watch films in order to relax and find escape from real life. So, at this time they aren’t likely to enjoy films describing world where apocalyptic wars disrupted global fuel supply enough to cause collapse of civilisation. If you, by some chance, still want to watch them, you might give a chance to Battletruck, 1982 post-apocalyptic action film directed by Harley Cokliss.
The plot suggests that certain individuals might thrive even in such broken world. One of them is Colonel Straker (played by James Wainwright), renegade military officer who roams the countryside in huge armoured truck accompanied with small army of thugs. He steals food, fuel and other supplies, killing everyone who stands in his way. At the beginning of film he takes possession of huge underground fuel depot which would help him extend his reign of terror. His daughter Coraline “Corlie” Straker (played by Anne McEnroe) is, however, disgusted with his murderous ways and uses opportunity to flee for his camp. Pursued by father’s men, she gets rescued by Hunter, war veteran who drives motorcycle powered by methane from his chicken farm. Corlie wants to stay with him, but he prefers living alone and thinks she would better fit among his friends in Clearwater, settlement where survivors try to rebuild civilisation. She brings her there and she is greeted with open arms. Clearwater, however, soon afterwards falls prey to Straker who “requisitions” their food and “borrows” their women. Corlie has escaped during the mayhem and took shelter with Hunter who becomes convinced that confrontation with Straker is all but inevitable.
Produced by New World Pictures, studio led by legendary exploitation film master Roger Corman, Battletruck was released to cinema shortly after Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. That and certain similarities in plot – idealistic community threatened by violent thugs; lone and mostly quiet protagonist; climactic action finale featuring huge truck – led many believe that this film was nothing more than cheap copy of George Miller’s post-apocalyptic classic. In reality both film were made almost simultaneously and director Cokliss would later claim that George Miller even “borrowed” some of his ideas. However, debate about that mostly pointless because those two films are actually quite different. The most obvious detail is setting, made possible by use of New Zealand locations that would later become quite popular among Hollywood film makers. Those locations, that feature mountains, orchards and forests, look quite different from desert featured in Mad Max 2 (and other deserts used most post-apocalyptic films). This not only changes an general atmosphere but actually makes the plot more realistic, because it makes more sense for survivors to settle on land where are able to grow their own food. Script, co-written by Cokliss, also takes more realistic, or at least plausible, approach in depiction how would post-apocalyptic society develop and function.
Cokliss also shows good skill as director, at least in the first half of film, when the world and main characters are introduced. In the second part, which features more actual action, budget limitations become more apparent and the shoot outs and vehicular combat look subpar, while final display of pyrotechnics improves impression a bit. Cokliss at times pays homage to spaghetti westerns, especially in brief and darkly humorous scene that looks like it belonged to something directed by Sergio Leone. Inevitable comparisons with Mad Max 2 make this film particularly disappointing when it comes to cast. Adam Beck is adequate as quiet protagonist, but simply lack proper charisma and can’t light a candle next to Mel Gibson. Anne McEnroe is good in playing an interesting character, although at times she gets badly served by uninspired dialogue. The most impressive member of the cast is James Wainwright, character actor who excels in playing villain who is intelligent, capable yet utterly amoral. Film used plenty of local crew and cast; among the latter the most recognisable is John Bach, prolific character actor who here appears as Straker’s henchman. One of the more interesting details of the film is progressive rock soundtrack by Australian composer Kevin peek which at first sounds surreal but becomes annoying after a while. Cokliss, however, manages to keep the film short and make that and other flaws less noticeable for audience. Battletruck is in the end good film that could be recommended not only to fans of post-apocalyptic genre, but also to those who like old school action, at least until the time when films like these start to look indistinguishable from documentaries.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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