The car stunts are every bit as exciting and nerve-rattling as they ought to be. Lester, who got his start making documentaries, relates this very basic and uncomplicated story in a spare, minimalist, unaffected verite style: John Arthur Morrill's plain cinematography, Don Tweedy's judiciously applied jaunty country folk score, the leisurely pacing, the relaxed, unmannered acting from a cast who mostly play themselves, and the straightforwardly presented daredevil stunts lend this picture a most disarming and effective quasi-documentary aura. Writer/director Mark Lester's immensely enjoyable Southern-fried 70's drive-in yarn spins the semi-autobiographical tale of Dusty Russell, a former moonshine runner turned acclaimed professional automobile daredevil who made his name jumping over an increasingly large number of cars in the traveling daredevil show 'Circus of Death.' Russell's eagerness and fearlessness wins the respect and approval of his fellow daredevils with the exception of jealous washed-up has-been Dangerous Dan Carter, who sparks a bitter rivalry with Russell which leads to a tragic ending. Reviewed by Woodyanders 8 / 10 A fun little semi-documentary on daredevils
