Vanishing Point(1971)

Cast :  Barry Newman, Cleavom Little , Dean Jagger

Plot and Summary:

Vanishing point (1971) is an action road movie directed by Richard Sarafian. The film is about  Kowalski (played by Bary Newman) an ex racing and motorcycle racing diver who takes a bet to do a delivery of a Dodge Challenger from Denver, Colarado to San Fransisco within a day ( Distance of about 1600 Kms). 

The film begins with police and highway patrol officials blocking the road at Cisco- where Kowalski promises to deliver the car , Kowalski passes one of the police cars and the flashback begins. We don' know much about Kowalski in the beginning of the film, he is a reckless driver who thrives on drugs (speed) to stay up and drive. Through his journey there are glimpses of his past,  everytime he makes the police or a fellow drive crash the memories of his racing days comes to him.

The news about Kowalski's attempt slowly reached everyone in the US and he gets the attention of a Blind Radio Jockey - Super soul( played by Cleavom Little). He becomes Kowalski's guide through out the film, popularizing his journey. Kowalski proves to be too good for the high way patrol and they fail to catch him until the end of the film.

At Nevada Kowalski is blocked in all sides by the police, he goes into the desert and eventually gets lost. He meets prospector- snake Catcher (played By Dean Jagger) who guides him out of the desert. He meets a biker in between and goes to his placed to get some more speed. He meets a nude biker who seems to remember him and all his past heroics as a war hero in Vietnam. Near the end of the film, Kowalski calls his friend - Jake and tells him that he will be in  California in some time and he will deliver the vehicle.

Kowalski is  character in the film is very delusional, mostly due to the excessive drug ussage . He looses his girlfriend after she gets drowned and gets discharged as a police officer cause of a rape case of a young girl by a fellow officer. Now, he tries to forget his past by drug and reckless driving. Because of his state we don't know if the some scenes in the film (the snake Catcher and the nude biker) are his delutions or the reality .

Verdict:

At the end of the film, Kowalski crashes into the barricates and dies instantly. The ending is very bizarre and is interpreted by several people in different ways. Barry Newman at an interview tells us that the Kowalski saw the light between the barriers and thought that he is going to make it to the other side.

The film is remembered for the scenic beauties of the west and

the never ending trails. The car Dodge Challenger 1971 Magnum needs a special mention, it was really great to watch it as it drifts in many of the corners and in many other stunta in the film. Vanishing point will be one of the best Road action movies of all times. A Cult Classic!