Highway to Hell (film)
Highway to Hell | |
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Directed by | Ate de Jong |
Written by | Brian Helgeland |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Robin Vidgeon |
Edited by |
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Music by | Hidden Faces |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Hemdale |
Release date |
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Running time | 94 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $7.5 million[2] |
Box office | $26,055[1] |
Highway to Hell is a 1992 American
The film features cameo appearances by Lita Ford, Gilbert Gottfried, actor Ben Stiller, his sister Amy Stiller and their parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. In 2019, Gottfried reprised his role as Adolf Hitler from the film in the comedy television series Historical Roasts.
Synopsis
This article needs an improved plot summary. (December 2014) |
Charlie Sykes and Rachel Clark are a young all-American couple who decide to run away and elope in
On the highway, Charlie meets other dead people that live in Hell and even a motorcycle gang led by the rebel Royce, who thwarts Rachel's escape attempt at Pluto's Diner. Charlie manages to catch up to Hell Cop, but his car gets shot up during the chase and becomes disabled. His car is then taken by the repair man, Beezle, who is able to fix the car. Charlie continues his pursuit and finds that Beezle's kid assistant, Adam, had sneaked into the car, wanting to help him find Rachel and keep his dog Ben company. Adam tells him that Hell Cop killed his family, took him to hell and gave him to Beezle. Charlie promises to bring him back with him.
Charlie eventually tracks down Hell Cop and Rachel at a nightclub/casino. He tries to free Rachel, but Hell Cop fatally shoots Charlie before they both leave. Fortunately, Beezle arrives and secures a promise from Adam to come back with him if he uses his repair powers to save Charlie, allowing him to continue his pursuit. Charlie decides to try a shortcut but is warned against it by Clara, Royce's girlfriend and Sam's ex. Charlie ignores this and seems to defeat Hell Cop and saves Rachel, who is sexually aggressive towards him. He finds out from her reflection that this "Rachel" is a demon in disguise. After defeating the demon, Charlie heads back on the highway and makes it to the outskirts of Hell City.
With his dog Ben distracting
Charlie goes back to Beezle's place to get Adam, but finds his repair shop had become a mansion. Beezle comes out, revealing that he is actually Satan. He refuses to allow Charlie to take Adam. Charlie proposes a deal: a race against Hell Cop. If he loses, both Rachel and Adam would stay in hell. As the race begins, Royce drives up to Charlie, demanding to be let inside as he wants to return to the real world. Charlie refuses, and Royce responds by trying to stab Adam. Clara covers his eyes, causing both to crash into a ravine. Just as Hell Cop is about to disable Charlie's car, Rachel finds a switch which releases nitro that propels their car through the portal, winning the race. However, Hell Cop follows them, seeking revenge. As he is about to kill Charlie, Rachel shoots Hell Cop in his one weakness, his sunglasses, causing him to blow up.
Scrolling text reveals the whereabouts of the cast after the film's events, with Rachel and Charlie getting married and using their experience to create successful video games and pizzeria chains, Sam continues to warn drivers about the road, Adam is returned to Earth with relatives, and Beezle continues as normal.
Cast
- Chad Lowe as Charlie Sykes
- Patrick Bergin as Beezle
- Kristy Swanson as Rachel Clark
- Jarrett Lennon as Adam
- Adam Storke as Royce
- Pamela Gidley as Clara
- C.J. Grahamas Sgt. Bedlam, Hellcop
- Richard Farnsworth as Sam
- Lita Ford as The Hitchhiker
- Gilbert Gottfried as Hitler
- Anne Meara as Medea, Waitress in Pluto's
- Amy Stiller as Cleopatra
- Ben Stiller as Pluto's Cook/Attila
- Jerry Stiller as The Desk Cop
- Be Deckard as Dentist, Royce's Gang
- Michael Reid MacKay as Rachel Demon
- Charon
Production
The film was shot in Phoenix and Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon was also a location.[3] Parts of the film were also shot at Glen Canyon in Utah.[4]
Release
Completed in 1989, Hemdale shelved the film for over 2 years before finally giving it a limited release.[5] It was released to home video on August 21, 1992[3] and on DVD and Blu-ray on February 2, 2016.[6]
Reception
Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "Although ambitious, amusing and even romantic, replete with lots of striking sets and jazzy special effects, its humor is not sophisticated enough to attract the wide audiences of a Beetlejuice".[7] Michael Dare of Billboard called it "smart, witty, and incredibly imaginative".[8] TV Guide rated it 2/5 stars and wrote: "Highway to Hell is no masterpiece, but it is a genuine video find".[5] Todd Rigney of Beyond Hollywood called it a "deliriously enjoyable satanic road trip" film that is "fun if you approach it in the right frame of mind".[9] HorrorNews.Net called it "one of the greatest campy horror films to never arrive on DVD".[10]
Highway to Hell has since developed a cult following.[11]
References
- ^ a b "Highway to Hell". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2015-04-23.
- ^ "AFI|Catalog".
- ^ a b "Staying Home?". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. 1992-08-21.
- ISBN 9781423605874.
- ^ a b "Highway To Hell". TV Guide. Retrieved 2015-04-23.
- ^ Jane, Ian (February 2, 2016). "Highway to Hell (Blu-ray)". DVD Talk. Internet Brands. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ^ Thomas, Kevin (1992-03-16). "MOVIE REVIEW : 'Highway to Hell' Reworks Orpheus Legend". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-04-23.
- ^ Dare, Michael (1992-08-08). "Home Video". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 32.
- ^ Rigney, Todd (2011-03-28). "Forgotten Action Cinema: Highway to Hell". Beyond Hollywood. Retrieved 2015-04-23.
- ^ "Film Review: Highway to Hell (1991)". HorrorNews.Net. 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2015-04-23.
- ^ Alexander, Chris. "Lita Ford talks new album, and cult classic "HIGHWAY TO HELL"". Fangoria. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
External links
- Highway to Hell at IMDb
- Highway to Hell at Rotten Tomatoes
- Highway to Hell at AllMovie