High Gear Emotions in a Race of Hearts

Read Time:4 Minute, 6 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Red Line 7000 [Limited Edition]
Approved –

Genre: Action, Drama, Sport
Year Released: 1965, 2024 Arrow Video Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 50m
Director(s): Howard Hawks
Writer(s): George Kirgo, Howard Hawks, Steve McNeil
Cast: James Caan, Laura Devon, Gail Hire, Charlene Holt, John Robert Crawford, Marianna Hill, Skip Ward
Where To Watch: available July 30, 2024; pre-order here www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Back in 1965, Howard Hawks revved up the engines with RED LINE 7000, delivering an exhilarating blend of speed and emotion. This film, marking James Caan's first major role, mixes the thrill of stock car racing with the complexities of personal drama, capturing the high stakes of the racetrack and heart. It's a ride that challenges the drivers on the track and in their intertwined romantic lives, mirroring their high-speed careers with equally volatile personal encounters.

At the core of RED LINE 7000 are three racers: Mike, Ned, and Dan, each intensely played by James Caan, John Robert Crawford, and Skip Ward, respectively. Their lives on the racetrack are a relentless pursuit of the finish line, paralleled by their tumultuous relationships with Gabrielle (Marianna Hill), Julie (Laura Devon), and Holly (Gail Hire.) This narrative duality explores the depths of their ambitions and the complications of their emotional entanglements.

Unfortunately, the film's dynamic race sequences, packed with cinematic adrenaline, outpaced the development of its off-track drama. There’s an apparent mismatch between the visceral on-track action and the somewhat stilted personal storylines, where the narrative engine seemed to sputter.

The film's visual style is unapologetically stark, mirroring the raw, unfiltered essence of racing. This direct approach brings the audience right into the heart of the action, although it leaves some performances, particularly from the supporting cast, feeling somewhat undeveloped. Nonetheless, Caan's portrayal of Mike delivers a potent mix of grit and magnetism.

Hawks' ambition was to craft a layered narrative reflecting the intertwined fates and fortunes within the competitive racing world. However, the film sometimes loses momentum with a narrative that can feel disjointed and repetitive. The recurring themes of ambition, rivalry, and romance are meant to mirror the racers' high-velocity lives but occasionally spin their wheels without gaining traction.

For enthusiasts of Hawks' work and classic cinema buffs, RED LINE 7000 has its unique allure. The film delves into themes of ambition and existential struggle, offering a glimpse into Hawks' enduring interest in characters who confront extreme challenges. Despite criticisms regarding its documentary-like depiction of racing, the film captures a chaotic yet compelling contrast between external chaos and internal conflict.

Navigating through both thrilling race scenes and intricate personal dynamics, RED LINE 7000 offers a distinctive cinematic journey. Though it may not consistently reach the emotional peaks of Hawks' more celebrated films, it remains a notable entry in the 1960s film landscape, capturing an era of cinematic evolution and the timeless allure of risk, passion, and ambition.

Bonus Materials
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
Original lossless mono audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Audio commentary by Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
Bruce Kessler: Man in Motion, a new interview with assistant director Bruce Kessler
Gas, Gears, Girls, Guys & Death, a new visual essay on the film by filmmaker and critic Howard S. Berger
A Modern Type of Woman, a new visual essay on the “Hawksian Woman” in Red Line 7000 by film scholar Kat Ellinger
Image gallery of posters, lobby cards, and stills
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sam Hadley
Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sam Hadley
Illustrated collector’s booklet containing new writing by film critic Martyn Conterio

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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