Movie theater. Vanishing Point, a movie that Chrysler and 20th Century Fox wanted to hide

In 1969, director and actor Richard Sarafian, known for directing episodes of The Fourth Dimension or Secrets of the West a movie is released, Infernal Descentwith Robert Redford.

But it is two other stories, these true ones, that hold his attention. That of a San Diego police officer descending into hell, and that of another man, pursued by the police, who refuses to stop.

Simple and effective mode

The director will combine two stories to make The Vanishing Point.

Kowalski, a race car driver, former police officer and Vietnam veteran, is responsible for transporting a Dodge Challenger from Denver to San Francisco on behalf of a car dealer.

To honor the foolish bet, Kowalski swallows the exciting products and sets off on his journey. Faced with the crazy speed shown by the car, the driver was soon spotted by the Police and chased him.

A film that has become a cult!

But Kowalski refuses to give up and soon becomes the subject of attention for all of America, helped by a radio host who reports his events live.

What car for Kowalski?

For a run of several thousand kilometers, Kowalski needs an attractive car.

To thank Chrysler, which voluntarily provides cars for various productions of 20th Century Fox, the film team will take from the Dodge range, from the same group.

The new Challenger 1970 model will be a great mount. In the movie script, we easily imagine a long advertisement praising the Challenger’s performance and durability.

A real Muscle Car

Chrysler Corporation will supply five Challenger R/Ts for production.

The first has an automatic transmission and a 6.3-liter V8 engine while the other 440 versions have a 7.2-liter Magnum V8 with a manual transmission.

Five models offered in Alpine white by Chrysler will leave the factory and will receive a few modifications.

Dangerous shot

Point Limit Zero photography starts with a limited budget. The result was only 1.3 million dollars and the filming time went from 60 to 22 days.

Stunted people will suffer from this lack of resources. After each event, we connect cars and parts from another to shoot the next one.

Barry Newman, will finish the event in the field to avoid a driver who had not been warned about the photography on this road.

Truth meets lies

Carey Loftin, another adventurer who plays many adventures behind the wheel of the Challenger, uses the car for his personal use.

One evening, in a straight line, he beat four police cars at a speed of 230 km / h. Being chased by the police, he refuses, like in the movie, to stop.

He will be arrested at the gas station, forcing the production to negotiate with the police. The reason for the speed: the man had to test drive the car before filming.

Chrysler and 20th Century Fox are not supporting the film

When it was released, the film had to be satisfied with very reasonable publicity. After just fifteen days, The Vanishing Point leave the cinema.

20th Century Fox does not accept the presence of drugs, nudity and glory of the driver.

One thing for Chrysler, which rushes to collect cars from bullets to destroy them!

The amazing thing is that the film will become a cult worldwide, just like the Challenger that will forever be associated with this road movie.