Damnation Alley facts for kids
Damnation Alley is an exciting American science fiction movie from 1977. It was directed by Jack Smight and is based on a popular book written by Roger Zelazny in 1969. The film tells a thrilling story about survival after a huge disaster. It features actors like Jan-Michael Vincent, George Peppard, and Paul Winfield. The movie was released by 20th Century Fox.
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What is Damnation Alley About?
This movie takes place in a future world that has been completely changed by a nuclear war. This war shifted the Earth's axis, causing terrible weather and creating dangerous new creatures. The world is now a harsh, post-apocalyptic wasteland.
The Story's Setting
After the war, most of humanity is gone. The few survivors live in small groups, trying to stay safe. The land is filled with giant, mutated insects and other deadly dangers. The sky is often hit by massive, destructive storms.
The Main Characters
The story follows a group of military survivors. They are led by Major Denton, played by George Peppard. Another key character is Tanner, played by Jan-Michael Vincent. They are brave and skilled, but face incredible challenges.
Their Dangerous Mission
The group discovers a faint radio signal from survivors in Albany, New York. They decide to travel across the dangerous American landscape to reach them. This journey is called "Damnation Alley" because it's so full of peril. They hope to deliver important supplies and find other people.
Facing Giant Scorpions
One of the biggest threats they encounter are huge, mutated scorpions. These creatures are very aggressive and powerful. The team must use all their skills and weapons to fight them off.
Surviving Acid Storms
The weather in this new world is extreme. The survivors often face "land hurricanes" and storms that rain down acid. These storms can destroy vehicles and harm anyone caught outside. They have to find shelter quickly to survive.
Other Challenges on the Road
Besides the creatures and storms, the team also deals with rough terrain and other desperate survivors. Every day is a fight for survival. They learn to rely on each other to make it through.
Who Made This Movie?
The film was directed by Jack Smight, who helped bring this post-apocalyptic world to life. The story itself came from the creative mind of Roger Zelazny, a well-known science fiction author.
The Talented Cast
The movie features a strong cast of actors.
- Jan-Michael Vincent plays Tanner, one of the main heroes.
- George Peppard plays Major Denton, the leader of the group.
- Dominique Sanda plays Janice, a survivor they meet.
- Paul Winfield plays Keegan, another member of the team.
- Jackie Earle Haley plays Billy, a young survivor.
- Murray Hamilton plays General Landers.
The Studio Behind It
The movie was distributed by 20th Century Fox. This studio helped bring the film to cinemas for people to watch.
Where Did the Idea Come From?
The movie is based on a novel called Damnation Alley by Roger Zelazny. The book was published in 1969. Movies often get their ideas from books, and this is a great example of that.
