Pluskylang Great Film overall

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

TOMASBBloodhound Looking for a low-budget diversion packed with plenty of action, some beautiful scenery, and a pretty cool truck, then look no further than this New Zealand film from the early 80s. Though the budget is tiny, and the story seems derivative, there is enough here to hold your interest if you are into post-apocalyptic Mad Max type of stuff. The early 80s produced many, many low-budget films of this type, but nobody else, not even the Gibson franchise had THE BATTLETRUCK! The plot is familiar enough. We have a "not-so-distant" future where society has basically collapsed. A ham radio broadcast during the opening frames basically sets the table. Cities have collapsed, oil is increasingly scarce, and many people have migrated to the countryside to escape the urban chaos. However, there is no viable law enforcement outside of the cities, and its survival of the fittest. Some have adapted to commune style, ag-based living. Some, like our hero Mr. Hunter have found a way to live independently, using methane-based technology to remain mobile and self-sufficient. And then you have our villain... Mr. Straker. He is some would be military-style tyrannical dictator whose army of twenty or more pillage the countryside. It is they who drive the battletruck, and nobody can dare stand up to it with its weapons and technology. Its a shame this truck belongs to the bad guys, since that only ensures its later demise in a scene very reminiscent to the conclusion of Spielberg's Duel. The acting isn't bad at all. Michael Beck as the anti-hero Hunter plays his character with the kind of stoic toughness and resourcefulness he showed in The Warriors. He does well here. James Wainwright, as the villain steals the show, however. Maybe only the battletruck itself is more memorable. He plays the role with a sadistic overconfidence. An aloofness complete with a twinkle in his eye reminiscent of the late David Carradine. He had the chops to have done more than he did. Anne Mcenroe is better here than she was in The Howling II, but that isn't saying much. She does OK as the damsel in distress. And how about John Ratzenberger? Mostly known for his role on Cheers, think of his film career for a moment. Between 1980 and 1983 he appeared in the following films: Empire Strikes Back, Motel Hell, Reds, Battletruck, Outland, Firefox and Gandhi!! Wow! Who was his agent back then? Did he turn anything down?? Also starring here is the beautiful New Zealand countryside. This area they filmed in kinda looks like Utah in the wintertime. Rugged and pristine. The film is well-paced, and not really preachy in terms of environmentalism, but the message is clear. The human race's dependence on fossil fuels has always led to conflict, and could one day cause a societal collapse. Maybe. Hope it doesn't happen in my lifetime! I don't want the battletruck coming after me! 7 of 10 stars.The Hound.

videorama-759-859391 It's possible for a sci fi futuristic pic like this, to misfire and be dull. That was the price of disappointment I got, watching this back in 84. When viewing it again, later in 95, only cause someone I knew, was an extra in it (my acting teacher at the time) it didn't impress upon me much more. It really has long spells of dullness. In no way, is it the actor's faults. They're all good, Wainwright, leaving his mark as the head villain of the show. I didn't know why he didn't go on to do more stuff, where there's a few who disappeared off the radar actors here. Wainwright and his posse of men roam around the mountains of beautiful New Zealand, in this monstrous tank truck, the battle truck, that occupies the front cover of the Roadshow titled movie, after no 1 commodity which is oil, shooting or killing anyone who gets in their way. Going up against him on his methane motorbike is Xanudu's Michael Beck, a likable hero. Standing between them is Annie McEnroe, who was Wainwright's ex once. She forms a relationship with Beck, where later she's kidnapped, and it's Beck to the rescue. Battletruck was just somewhat disappointing, who's American director, Harley Cokliss mad other films I liked. The actors have their moments and make some parts watchable, where they're are a couple of dead spots. Cheer's barfly, Ratzenberger was particularly good as Beck's friend who hides him out for a bit. For most part this full is on a par with dullness, the truck's fate into the path of dreck, the shining ray moment of this pic. Don't say I didn't warn ya.

Andy Loved Battletruck. Awesome movie.. very watchable again and again. Its got a really gritty post apocalyptic feel to it and i think its just as good as Mad Max 1 and 2 and BETTER than Thunderdome. The opening sequence with the radio announcer and the smoke in the picture is great.. so simple.. but very effective.What i will say in the way of criticism is that there is no need for the filmmakers to pretend this is shot in the states... The American accents from the NZ actors are awful for starters ("Gaaad Daayyum") and then there's the fact that the film obviously does not take place in the US (right hand drive, the NZ mountain ranges) NZ is great.. show it off !

MartinHafer My brother and I had never heard of this movie and had no intention of seeing it or any other movie the day we saw it. Just after having lunch, we walked by the theater and they had big signs announcing that Warlords of the 21st Century was only $1! Wow--a first-run movie for only a buck?! So we took the bait and saw the movie with absolutely no preconceptions--we didn't know who was in it, what it was about--in fact, we had never heard of it before.So, my final verdict?! It was overpriced--I want my dollar back! In fact, they should have PAID US to see this claptrap. The movie had lousy acting, writing, directing, etc. etc etc. It was a cheap, quickly assembled and uninteresting knockoff of the Road Warrior flicks. So bad that Troma films would be ashamed to release it!