Original subtitles

- [Roger] I'm Roger Corman,

- [Roger] I'm Roger Corman,

and I'd like to share with you

some great moments and memories of many of my films.

some great moments and memories of many of my films.

(funky upbeat music)

(funky upbeat music)

(funky upbeat music)

(funky upbeat music)

I think one of the reasons for the popularity

I think one of the reasons for the popularity

of the post-apocalyptic picture is

we all want to know what is going to happen in the future.

we all want to know what is going to happen in the future.

we all want to know what is going to happen in the future.

And the urgency of that question since the atomic bomb

And the urgency of that question since the atomic bomb

has become greater,

has become greater,

although clearly, films were made and novels and so forth,

although clearly, films were made and novels and so forth,

on that subject before.

on that subject before.

But since that time (exploding)

But since that time (exploding)

people have become more and more interested

what is going to happen.

what is going to happen.

(exploding)

Battletruck that was a project that was brought to me.

Battletruck that was a project that was brought to me.

Harley Cokeliss had written and directed it

Harley Cokeliss had written and directed it

and Rob Whitehouse was to produce.

and Rob Whitehouse was to produce.

(intense synth music)

(intense synth music)

(horse neighing)

(horse neighing)

(motor revving)

(motor revving)

- It's not gonna stop.

- It's not gonna stop.

(crashing)

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

- [Roger] It was a futuristic story

- [Roger] It was a futuristic story

built, of course, around a Battletruck

and Harley had been a second unit director,

and Harley had been a second unit director,

and Harley had been a second unit director,

or at least had done some second unit work,

or at least had done some second unit work,

on The Empire Strikes Back.

So when they brought me the project

So when they brought me the project

and he had this credit, and their thought was

and he had this credit, and their thought was

that I would put up a certain amount money,

that I would put up a certain amount money,

be a big lead, a co-producer on it

be a big lead, a co-producer on it

and have the US and Canadian rights.

and have the US and Canadian rights.

They already had the other half of the money,

for the rest of the world

for the rest of the world

and they had some sort of a tax subsidy in New Zealand,

and they had some sort of a tax subsidy in New Zealand,

which was the reason for shooting in New Zealand.

which was the reason for shooting in New Zealand.

- Good morning, my name is Colonel Straker

and I have come to free you from this anarchy and chaos.

and I have come to free you from this anarchy and chaos.

- So I came in to it, I read the script,

- So I came in to it, I read the script,

I thought it was a very good script

I thought it was a very good script

and they had sketches of the Battletruck.

And I thought, "This looks great."

And I thought, "This looks great."

And there was a sketch of an armored car

And there was a sketch of an armored car

that battles the Battletruck.

that battles the Battletruck.

And I thought, "This is a really good project."

I had a few notes on a revision of the script,

I had a few notes on a revision of the script,

which they took some of and I consulted on the casting,

which they took some of and I consulted on the casting,

which they took some of and I consulted on the casting,

but essentially, they made the film.

(crashing)

(crashing)

(screaming)

(screaming)

(bullets firing)

(electric guitar music)

(electric guitar music)

(grunting)

The film turned out very well.

The film turned out very well.

It had a bigger budget

than most of our science fiction pictures,

than most of our science fiction pictures,

so the Battletruck was a great looking vehicle,

so the Battletruck was a great looking vehicle,

the armored car, the fights,

the armored car, the fights,

the various weapons and so forth,

were all done to a really higher degree

were all done to a really higher degree

were all done to a really higher degree

than we were used to.

- Your time is over, old man.

(grunting)

- Not yet, kid.

- Kill him.

(tires screeching)

(grunting)

(grunting)

Hunter, kill him.

(crashing)

(crashing)

(grunting)

(grunting)

- Old man.

- I'll show you old.

- No.

(grunting)

- Get off him with your scarred hands, stop it.

- Get off him with your scarred hands, stop it.

(thudding)

- (screaming)

- (screaming)

- [Hunter] Let's get out of here.

- (screaming)

- (screaming)

(intense synth music)

(intense synth music)

(screaming)

- Now.

(thudding)

(thudding)

- [Roger] And it was basically an action picture

- [Roger] And it was basically an action picture

and the action was staged very, very well.

and the action was staged very, very well.

(screaming)

(screaming)

(creaking)

(creaking)

(wind whistling)

(wind whistling)

(crashing)

(crashing)

(exploding)

(exploding)

(funky upbeat music)

(funky upbeat music)

(exploding)

(exploding)

(tires screeching)

(triumphant synth music)

(triumphant synth music)

(exploding)

(exploding)

(screaming)

(screaming)

(crashing)

Battletruck was a major success for us.

Battletruck was a major success for us.

So I thought, "All right, this is a genre

So I thought, "All right, this is a genre

"we should continue with."

So Wheels of Fire was simply a continuation

So Wheels of Fire was simply a continuation

of the futuristic road warrior type of film.

of the futuristic road warrior type of film.

of the futuristic road warrior type of film.

(laughter)

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

(intense orchestral music)

(intense orchestral music)

(bullets firing)

The storyline was written by Ellen Collett,

The storyline was written by Ellen Collett,

my assistant at the time,

my assistant at the time,

Fred Bailey, who'd worked on several scripts for me

Fred Bailey, who'd worked on several scripts for me

wrote the script.

It was directed by Cirio Santiago.

It was directed by Cirio Santiago.

(exploding)

(exploding)

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

(screaming)

(screaming)

- It's scourge, it's scourge.

You, get him out of here.

You, get him out of here.

- [Roger] The basic script was fairly simple.

- [Roger] The basic script was fairly simple.

There are a group of outlaw road warriors,

There are a group of outlaw road warriors,

who are terrorizing a democratic community.

who are terrorizing a democratic community.

They the kidnap the sister of a lone road warrior

They the kidnap the sister of a lone road warrior

and he, together with the community,

go back after them.

go back after them.

It was really an excuse for the action.

It was really an excuse for the action.

(cheering)

(cheering)

(exploding)

(exploding)

- Come on, come on.

(exploding)

(exploding)

(crashing)

(crashing)

- [Roger] I knew Cirio Santiago

- [Roger] I knew Cirio Santiago

was a very good action director

and he had something that enabled us

and he had something that enabled us

and he had something that enabled us

to make bigger looking pictures.

First, the wage scale in the Philippines

First, the wage scale in the Philippines

was less than the United States,

was less than the United States,

but also, he had a deal with the army

but also, he had a deal with the army

where he would contribute a certain amount of money

where he would contribute a certain amount of money

to the army pension plan

and they would provide soldiers, and a lot of soldiers,

and they would provide soldiers, and a lot of soldiers,

and they would provide soldiers, and a lot of soldiers,

to do the big action sequences.

So we got a much bigger look with Wheels of Fire

So we got a much bigger look with Wheels of Fire

So we got a much bigger look with Wheels of Fire

and with a number of other pictures that Cirio directed.

and with a number of other pictures that Cirio directed.

(exploding)

(exploding)

(exploding)

(exploding)

(exploding)

(exploding)

Also, the explosions, the action and so forth

Also, the explosions, the action and so forth

Also, the explosions, the action and so forth

were very good because the explosions are easy to do

were very good because the explosions are easy to do

and they look great on film.

and they look great on film.

And the Philippines stuntmen are, in my opinion,

And the Philippines stuntmen are, in my opinion,

the best in the world.

the best in the world.

I had no idea why they're so good.

I had no idea why they're so good.

I think it may be some sort of machismo

between them where each guy wants to out do the others,

between them where each guy wants to out do the others,

but they were able to do stunts

but they were able to do stunts

that American stuntmen would never do.

that American stuntmen would never do.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(exploding)

(exploding)

(tires screeching)

It all started, really, with my film Death Race 2000,

It all started, really, with my film Death Race 2000,

which was futuristic action picture.

which was futuristic action picture.

George Miller, who made Mad Max,

George Miller, who made Mad Max,

told me he saw Death Race in Australia

(screaming)

(screaming)

(crashing)

(crashing)

and said, "I can make one of these."

And he made Mad Max.

And he made Mad Max.

And I said, "Well, George, you beat me.

And I said, "Well, George, you beat me.

"Mad Max is a better picture than Death Race."

But Wheels of Fire of that type of film

But Wheels of Fire of that type of film

But Wheels of Fire of that type of film

from Death Race, Mad Max, Battletruck

from Death Race, Mad Max, Battletruck

and I dunno how many others.

and I dunno how many others.

(funky upbeat music)

(funky upbeat music)

- Put your finger on the trigger, don't press it all

- Put your finger on the trigger, don't press it all

the way, just a little bit.

the way, just a little bit.

(futuristic whirring)

(futuristic whirring)

A little bit more and I'd be gone.

A little bit more and I'd be gone.

Could you do that?

- Not to you,

but I could do it.

but I could do it.

(shattering)

- [Roger] Crime Zone was the second picture I did in Peru

- [Roger] Crime Zone was the second picture I did in Peru

with a Peruvian producer/director, Lucho Llosa.

with a Peruvian producer/director, Lucho Llosa.

- [Officer] Stop.

- [Officer] Stop.

- Shit, follow what I do.

- Shit, follow what I do.

- [Officer] I said stop.

What are you doing with the woman, subgrade?

What are you doing with the woman, subgrade?

- You mean this whore?

- You mean this whore?

I don't even know her.

- Whore?

Who the hell do you think you are

Who the hell do you think you are

calling me a whore, you pig?

- I've seen you at the house of pleasure

- I've seen you at the house of pleasure

raffling your pussy like a side of beef.

(slapping)

- Stop it, you, beat it.

- Stop it, you, beat it.

- There was a slight question about going to Peru

- There was a slight question about going to Peru

to make a picture from some of the cast

to make a picture from some of the cast

because there was, essentially,

a civil war going on in Peru,

a civil war going on in Peru,

the Sendero Luminoso of Shining Path were killing people.

the Sendero Luminoso of Shining Path were killing people.

But David Carradine had worked with me before

But David Carradine had worked with me before

and he was up for anything, he said, "I'll go."

and he was up for anything, he said, "I'll go."

And the others, I said,

"The Shining Path is primarily fighting

"The Shining Path is primarily fighting

in the Andes, not in Lima"

in the Andes, not in Lima"

Which was true.

So eventually, everybody went. - Where you going you fuck up?

So eventually, everybody went. - Where you going you fuck up?

- Just let it go, Bone.

Just let it go.

Just let it go.

- I agree with the young lady, let it go.

- I agree with the young lady, let it go.

He's not really worth the effort.

He's not really worth the effort.

- Well, you got him read right.

- Well, you got him read right.

- He's pretty simple to read,

most of them are in the Dead End Zone.

most of them are in the Dead End Zone.

- Why don't you just haul it back to the First Tier, pal?

- Why don't you just haul it back to the First Tier, pal?

We don't need you here.

- I said most, not all.

- I said most, not all.

You two are very different.

You two are very different.

As a matter of fact,

As a matter of fact,

I have a little job I'd like to offer you.

(siren wailing)

(siren wailing)

- [Roger] I had the idea for Crime Zone

- [Roger] I had the idea for Crime Zone

and my original idea was to shoot it in the United States,

and my original idea was to shoot it in the United States,

but Lucho had done such a good job on Hour of the Assassin,

but Lucho had done such a good job on Hour of the Assassin,

I thought he could shoot it in Lima.

I thought he could shoot it in Lima.

But there was one problem,

the script was laid in a futuristic city

the script was laid in a futuristic city

and I had planned to shoot in the more modern buildings

and I had planned to shoot in the more modern buildings

around Los Angeles and there weren't that many

around Los Angeles and there weren't that many

modern buildings in Lima.

modern buildings in Lima.

But I went over the locations with Lucho

But I went over the locations with Lucho

and we found enough modern architecture in Lima

and we found enough modern architecture in Lima

that if he shot very carefully,

that if he shot very carefully,

he could give us the look of a modern city.

he could give us the look of a modern city.

And it ended up with him being very careful

And it ended up with him being very careful

with the camera because there would be

with the camera because there would be

one great looking modern building

one great looking modern building

and right next to it would be some rundown little dump.

and right next to it would be some rundown little dump.

And he had to compose those shots very, very carefully.

And he had to compose those shots very, very carefully.

And I was delighted with what he did,

And I was delighted with what he did,

the shots were perfectly composed

the shots were perfectly composed

and it did look like a futuristic city.

and it did look like a futuristic city.

- Everybody freeze.

- Everybody freeze.

- [Bone] Drop it.

- Get on the ground now, everybody.

- Get on the ground now, everybody.

Get on the ground now, I said.

Get down on the floor now, everybody.

Get down on the floor now, everybody.

- [Bone] Get down.

- [Bone] Get down.

(screaming)

(screaming)

(grunting)

(grunting)

(tires screeching)

- [Officer] Front entrance, hit it.

- [Second Lieutenant] I got it, move out.

- [Second Lieutenant] I got it, move out.

- Yes, you can, yes, you can.

Come on, go.

- [Officer] It's them, head in and move.

- [Officer] It's them, head in and move.

We want them alive, don't kill them.

We want them alive, don't kill them.

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

- Stop.

- [Roger] Was very pleased with the outcome.

- [Roger] Was very pleased with the outcome.

Not only had Daryl Haney written a good script,

Not only had Daryl Haney written a good script,

Lucho had directed the actors brilliantly.

Lucho had directed the actors brilliantly.

We got good performances from everybody

We got good performances from everybody

and the way in which he shot,

and the way in which he shot,

creating the futuristic city and so forth,

made the whole film come together very well.

made the whole film come together very well.

I thought it was one of the best of that type of picture,

I thought it was one of the best of that type of picture,

we had made.

we had made.

- So you're one of them, aren't you?

- Not really, Bone.

It's just my job, that's all.

- Go on, we're listening.

- Go on, we're listening.

- I'm a recruiting agency.

- I'm a recruiting agency.

- Recruiting what?

- Recruiting what?

- Criminals.

- All right, cut the horse shit, let's hear it.

- All right, cut the horse shit, let's hear it.

- There are no criminals, in Soleil, Bone.

- There are no criminals, in Soleil, Bone.

And I mean there aren't any, at all.

Except the ones that I recruit.

Except the ones that I recruit.

You're just my latest models, that's all.

You're just my latest models, that's all.

Once upon a time, Soleil really was a crime zone,

Once upon a time, Soleil really was a crime zone,

but that's all over now, the police got so powerful

that they just wiped out crime completely.

that they just wiped out crime completely.

If you don't have criminals then you have to invent them.

If you don't have criminals then you have to invent them.

And I gotta say, you guys are doing a remarkable job.

(funky upbeat music)

(funky upbeat music)

- [Roger] The Last Woman on Earth,

as with so many of our films, started with the title.

as with so many of our films, started with the title.

I simply came up with the title, The Last Woman on Earth,

I simply came up with the title, The Last Woman on Earth,

and then was faced with the obvious question,

and then was faced with the obvious question,

"Okay, what kind of a story do we do around this?"

"Okay, what kind of a story do we do around this?"

Bob Towne was a very good friend of mine and, as you know,

Bob Towne was a very good friend of mine and, as you know,

Bob Towne was a very good friend of mine and, as you know,

went on to be an Academy Award winning screenwriter.

went on to be an Academy Award winning screenwriter.

He was a fledgling screenwriter

He was a fledgling screenwriter

and The Last Woman on Earth was his first script.

and The Last Woman on Earth was his first script.

The problem, of course, was how do we set up

The problem, of course, was how do we set up

the fact that there's only one woman left in the world.

the fact that there's only one woman left in the world.

And we jointly came up with the idea

And we jointly came up with the idea

that this one woman,

that this one woman,

her husband and a young lawyer working for them

her husband and a young lawyer working for them

her husband and a young lawyer working for them

are on a yachting trip and they go scuba diving.

are on a yachting trip and they go scuba diving.

While they're underwater, whatever happens,

While they're underwater, whatever happens,

I don't think we ever bothered to get in to what happens,

I don't think we ever bothered to get in to what happens,

but what happened, everybody else in the world

but what happened, everybody else in the world

is killed while they're underwater.

is killed while they're underwater.

They come up and they're the last people on Earth.

They come up and they're the last people on Earth.

(dramatic brass music)

(dramatic brass music)

- What in the world.

- What in the world.

Looks like he couldn't breath.

Looks like he couldn't breath.

- [Roger] The picture then develops it into a triangle

- [Roger] The picture then develops it into a triangle

between the two men and the one woman.

between the two men and the one woman.

Bob Towne wrote a very, very good script.

Bob Towne wrote a very, very good script.

Except, Bob is a somewhat slow writer.

Except, Bob is a somewhat slow writer.

I once was interviewed

I once was interviewed

and they asked me what I thought of Bob

and they asked me what I thought of Bob

and I said, "I think he's a brilliant writer,

and I said, "I think he's a brilliant writer,

"but he's a little bit slow."

Bob was interviewed about the same time

Bob was interviewed about the same time

and he said, "Roger's a great guy to work with,

and he said, "Roger's a great guy to work with,

"but he always wants the script too fast."

"but he always wants the script too fast."

Now, the reason we to shoot the picture,

Now, the reason we to shoot the picture,

there was some sort of a tax subsidy

there was some sort of a tax subsidy

or something in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico being a territory of the United States,

Puerto Rico being a territory of the United States,

Puerto Rico being a territory of the United States,

but not a state, was therefore able to set up

but not a state, was therefore able to set up

some of their own laws, rules and so forth.

some of their own laws, rules and so forth.

And they set up something to encourage

And they set up something to encourage

work in Puerto Rico because of the taxes.

work in Puerto Rico because of the taxes.

I was aware of that and said,

"Okay, I'll go to Puerto Rico and take advantage of this

"Okay, I'll go to Puerto Rico and take advantage of this

"and our idea of people on a yachting trip

"and our idea of people on a yachting trip

"fits very well for the Caribbean."

"fits very well for the Caribbean."

- How does the rest of it go?

- Beware the Jabberwock, my son.

- Beware the Jabberwock, my son.

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch.

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch.

- [Roger] We were ready to go,

- [Roger] We were ready to go,

Bob had not finished the script and everything was set up.

Bob had not finished the script and everything was set up.

So I said, "Bob the only thing we can do,

So I said, "Bob the only thing we can do,

"you've got to come with us to Puerto Rico

"you've got to come with us to Puerto Rico

"and finish the script there,

"and since I don't have enough money

"and since I don't have enough money

"to send you and all of the actors,

"to send you and all of the actors,

"you're going to play the young lawyer."

"you're going to play the young lawyer."

And I knew he was a good actor

because I'd met him in an acting class,

because I'd met him in an acting class,

which he attended because he wanted

which he attended because he wanted

to learn more about acting as a writer

to learn more about acting as a writer

and I wanted to learn more about acting as a director.

and I wanted to learn more about acting as a director.

- I don't want to believe that.

- I don't want to believe that.

- Well, you didn't want to believe the world

would end, either.

would end, either.

You don't want to, now.

You don't want to, now.

- Well, it's what I feel.

- Well, it's what I feel.

I felt it end and I'm married to somebody

I felt it end and I'm married to somebody

who doesn't insist upon my picking about it.

who doesn't insist upon my picking about it.

- Or thinking period.

- (laughter) That's marvelous.

- (laughter) That's marvelous.

You think you are the thinking-est man.

You think you are the thinking-est man.

- Is that supposed to make me feel bad?

- Is that supposed to make me feel bad?

- And you ask questions.

Questions, questions, questions.

Questions, questions, questions.

Questions, questions, questions.

I think I'm gonna erase you.

I'm gonna take my big toe and wipe you out.

I'm gonna take my big toe and wipe you out.

Dare me.

Dare me.

Double dare me.

Seems I remember doing this before,

Seems I remember doing this before,

only then I didn't have so far to fall.

only then I didn't have so far to fall.

- I was very pleased with the film,

- I was very pleased with the film,

Bob is a very literate writer,

so he was able to take the science fiction concept

so he was able to take the science fiction concept

and bring greater depth to the characters.

and bring greater depth to the characters.

- My eyes are dim, I cannot see,

- My eyes are dim, I cannot see,

I have not brought my specs with me.

I have not brought my specs with me.

My hearings out...

- I killed him.

Will we never learn.

- He didn't think so.

- Let's go home.

- Let's go home.

(melancholy orchestral music)

(melancholy orchestral music)

- Where is that?

- Help me find out.

(funky upbeat music)

(funky upbeat music)

- [Roger] We were still making films for Showtime

and I was still looking for as many original,

and I was still looking for as many original,

or semi-original, ideas as I could come up with.

or semi-original, ideas as I could come up with.

- [Gang Member] Hey android, don't you get it, man?

- [Gang Member] Hey android, don't you get it, man?

You don't come down this part of the neighborhood.

You don't come down this part of the neighborhood.

- [Roger] After the success of combining a monster film

with a post-apocalyptic film in The Terror Within,

with a post-apocalyptic film in The Terror Within,

with a post-apocalyptic film in The Terror Within,

I came up with the idea of combining a martial arts film

I came up with the idea of combining a martial arts film

with a post-apocalyptic film.

with a post-apocalyptic film.

(bleeping)

- Maybe you boys oughta play some place else.

- Maybe you boys oughta play some place else.

- [Gang Member] Nah, nah.

Roadkill tear this thing up, huh?

Roadkill tear this thing up, huh?

- [Roger] Don "The Dragon" Wilson,

- [Roger] Don "The Dragon" Wilson,

our great star of the Bloodfist series,

I think we made six or seven Bloodfists,

I think we made six or seven Bloodfists,

and Don was becoming a little bit of a star.

and Don was becoming a little bit of a star.

and Don was becoming a little bit of a star.

So I thought, "I'll take Don "The Dragon" Wilson,

our martial arts champion,

our martial arts champion,

put him in a post-apocalyptic world."

put him in a post-apocalyptic world."

(screaming)

(screaming)

(thudding)

(thudding)

(smacking)

(clunking)

(clunking)

(smacking)

(smacking)

(grunting)

(smacking)

- Man, I'm your friend, we can work this,

- Man, I'm your friend, we can work this,

let's help each other.

You know what I'm saying?

You know what I'm saying?

(thudding)

(clunking)

(clunking)

(smacking)

- [Roger] In creating the world,

- [Roger] In creating the world,

we came up with a lot of ideas

that are still being played with

that are still being played with

in science fiction pictures, today.

in science fiction pictures, today.

I can't say they were original with us,

I can't say they were original with us,

there's always something that's gone before,

there's always something that's gone before,

but they were semi-original.

We were dealing with two planets,

We were dealing with two planets,

a planet Earth and an off-planet where the elite lived,

a planet Earth and an off-planet where the elite lived,

a planet Earth and an off-planet where the elite lived,

and the supporting cast, as it were the poor people,

and the supporting cast, as it were the poor people,

lived on Earth and there was a corporation

lived on Earth and there was a corporation

lived on Earth and there was a corporation

that harvested body parts from the Earth

that harvested body parts from the Earth

and shipped them to the off-planet.

and shipped them to the off-planet.

We combined this with virtual reality.

We combined this with virtual reality.

(wind whistling)

(wind whistling)

(peaceful music)

(peaceful music)

(zapping)

(zooming)

(zooming)

(zooming)

(zooming)

(screeching)

(screaming)

(screaming)

(zooming)

(zapping)

(zapping)

(screaming)

(screaming)

And with Don "The Dragon", we decided to make him

And with Don "The Dragon", we decided to make him

not a human being, but a robot

not a human being, but a robot

who was a martial arts champion.

who was a martial arts champion.

(sparking)

- It'll be okay, we were so sure you guys

- It'll be okay, we were so sure you guys

were gonna replace us all.

were gonna replace us all.

- Yeah, we didn't even make it 10 years.

- Yeah, we didn't even make it 10 years.

- [Doctor] Feel that?

(sparking)

(sparking)

Um, I can't be caught working on you.

Um, I can't be caught working on you.

- She's okay.

(futuristic whirring)

(futuristic whirring)

- Andrews hadn't been around in a long time.

- Andrews is dead.

The corporate police terminated him, last week.

- Then you're the last.

- Then you're the last.

- Maybe.

- Maybe.

- So we put all of this together

and I was a little bit worried

and I was a little bit worried

about putting so many different ideas in one film,

about putting so many different ideas in one film,

but they came together rather well and I liked the film.

but they came together rather well and I liked the film.

The film was successful and a lot of people

The film was successful and a lot of people

gave great praise to Don who had started,

gave great praise to Don who had started,

he was the world's light-heavyweight champion,

he was the world's light-heavyweight champion,

he wasn't an actor at all,

he wasn't an actor at all,

but Don started being thought of as a really good actor.

but Don started being thought of as a really good actor.

(dramatic synth music)

(dramatic synth music)

(shinking)

(shinking)

(gasping)

- Facelift?

(grunting)

(grunting)

(smacking)

(thudding)

(thudding)

(thudding)

(smacking)

(grunting)

(grunting)

(roaring)

(thudding)

(thudding)

(thudding)

(roaring)

(roaring)

- Meg, leave.

- Meg, leave.

(bullet firing)

(funky upbeat music)

(funky upbeat music)

(zooming)

(zooming)

(bullet firing)

(bullet firing)

(clanking)

- [Roger] Equalizer 2000 was another of our Philippine

- [Roger] Equalizer 2000 was another of our Philippine

action films directed by Cirio Santiago.

action films directed by Cirio Santiago.

(mechanical whirring)

(mechanical whirring)

(upbeat synth music)

(upbeat synth music)

Almost all of them were my idea to start with,

Almost all of them were my idea to start with,

but Cirio came up with this one.

but Cirio came up with this one.

And his idea, as he explained to me,

And his idea, as he explained to me,

was very straight forward.

We had built most of these post-apocalyptic action films

We had built most of these post-apocalyptic action films

We had built most of these post-apocalyptic action films

around vehicles, trucks, cars,

motorcycles in a futuristic way.

motorcycles in a futuristic way.

motorcycles in a futuristic way.

And he said, "Let's vary this,

"why don't we come up with a futuristic weapon?"

"why don't we come up with a futuristic weapon?"

(upbeat synth music)

(upbeat synth music)

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

So the idea started with Cirio, Fred Bailey,

So the idea started with Cirio, Fred Bailey,

who had written a number of scripts for me,

who had written a number of scripts for me,

wrote the script and it was around the fact

wrote the script and it was around the fact

that the lead has this phenomenal

that the lead has this phenomenal

multi-barrelled submachine gun that he uses in the,

multi-barrelled submachine gun that he uses in the,

multi-barrelled submachine gun that he uses in the,

more or less standard good guys in the future,

more or less standard good guys in the future,

bad guys in the future, story.

bad guys in the future, story.

(bullets firing)

(exploding)

(bullets firing)

(triumphant synth music)

(triumphant synth music)

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

My working relationship with Cirio was very good.

My working relationship with Cirio was very good.

We were also very good friends,

I'm the godfather of one of his sons, as a matter of fact.

I'm the godfather of one of his sons, as a matter of fact.

I'm the godfather of one of his sons, as a matter of fact.

It started when, on my first film in the Philippines,

It started when, on my first film in the Philippines,

I hired Cirio to produce it.

He produced a couple of films

He produced a couple of films

and then said he directed one or two local films, as well.

and then said he directed one or two local films, as well.

So I said, "Okay, let's go ahead

So I said, "Okay, let's go ahead

"and you direct the next one."

"and you direct the next one."

(peaceful synth music)

(peaceful synth music)

- Slade, why'd you do it?

- Slade, why'd you do it?

- Do what?

- Come back for me.

- [Roger] Some directors emerge

- [Roger] Some directors emerge

the way Francis Coppola, Marty Scorsese, or Jim Cameron,

the way Francis Coppola, Marty Scorsese, or Jim Cameron,

the way Francis Coppola, Marty Scorsese, or Jim Cameron,

or some of the other guys who started with me.

They emerge brilliant.

They emerge brilliant.

Others develop as they go along.

Others develop as they go along.

Cirio was one of the ones who develop.

First film he directed was pretty good,

First film he directed was pretty good,

First film he directed was pretty good,

but the next film was a little better.

The film after that was a little better.

The film after that was a little better.

He was progressing a little bit the way I did

He was progressing a little bit the way I did

when I was a director because I had no training,

when I was a director because I had no training,

whatsoever, to be a director.

I was learning on the job, so essentially, the films,

I was learning on the job, so essentially, the films,

I would hope, were getting better as I went along.

I would hope, were getting better as I went along.

And that's what happened with Cirio.

And that's what happened with Cirio.

After a couple of years, he was really an excellent director

After a couple of years, he was really an excellent director

and from then on,

and from then on,

he directed every film we shot in the Philippines.

he directed every film we shot in the Philippines.

(grieving trumpet music)

(grieving trumpet music)

(metal clunking)

(metal clunking)

(metal clunking)

(wood clattering)

(wood clattering)

(motor revving)

(motor revving)

- [Roger] I was very happy with the film

because Cirio was learning more and more about working

because Cirio was learning more and more about working

with the actors, so the performances came together

with the actors, so the performances came together

and, as usual, he had the Philippine army

and, as usual, he had the Philippine army

and the Philippine stuntmen to work with

and the Philippine stuntmen to work with

and the action scenes were great.

(funky upbeat music)

(funky upbeat music)

- To the death.

(bullet firing)

(bullet firing)

- [Roger] Raiders of the Sun was made, I think, around 1992

- [Roger] Raiders of the Sun was made, I think, around 1992

and circumstances under which it was made

and circumstances under which it was made

were probably as interesting as the film itself.

were probably as interesting as the film itself.

The film itself was a straight forward post-apocalyptic

The film itself was a straight forward post-apocalyptic

action film, but the reason it was made

action film, but the reason it was made

because I'd felt we'd done enough of those films

because I'd felt we'd done enough of those films

I hadn't done one for a couple of years,

I hadn't done one for a couple of years,

but the reason this film was made

but the reason this film was made

was because the box office of low and medium budget films

was because the box office of low and medium budget films

was because the box office of low and medium budget films

theatrically was beginning to slip a little bit

theatrically was beginning to slip a little bit

just about that time.

just about that time.

- Kingsly.

(clinking)

(ominous percussion music)

(ominous percussion music)

- Gonzo.

- Gonzo.

(whooshing)

(whooshing)

- At the same time I was approached by MGM,

who had a home video department in MGM,

who had a home video department in MGM,

who had a home video department in MGM,

which at one time was the greatest of all the studios,

which at one time was the greatest of all the studios,

had slipped a little bit and they didn't have enough films.

had slipped a little bit and they didn't have enough films.

And they came to me and said,

And they came to me and said,

"We would like to make a deal with you,

"We would like to make a deal with you,

"if you will make a certain number of films

"that you distribute theatrically

"that you distribute theatrically

"and then after the theatrical release,

"and then after the theatrical release,

"we will take the home video rights."

"we will take the home video rights."

And I ended up making, I think, 38 or 39 films,

And I ended up making, I think, 38 or 39 films,

which I distributed theatrically

which I distributed theatrically

and MGM took the home video of it.

and MGM took the home video of it.

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

(grunting)

(grunting)

(bullets firing)

(screaming)

(screaming)

(bullets firing)

- Meatball.

- [Roger] It would've gone on indefinitely

- [Roger] It would've gone on indefinitely

because it was a great deal.

MGM was partially the whole department was,

MGM was partially the whole department was,

at least partially, dependent on this number of films

at least partially, dependent on this number of films

from me to fill out their slate.

And they were making money with the films,

And they were making money with the films,

I was making money with the films.

- Come on, come on, yeah, come on.

- Come on, come on, yeah, come on.

(thudding)

- An Italian conman MGM from Kerkorian

- An Italian conman MGM from Kerkorian

- An Italian conman MGM from Kerkorian

and things started to go wrong, immediately.

and things started to go wrong, immediately.

Peretti is currently serving time in a jail for fraud

Peretti is currently serving time in a jail for fraud

in Italy and the deal came to an end.

in Italy and the deal came to an end.

(bullets firing)

(bullets firing)

(motor revving)

(motor revving)

(tires screeching)

(tires screeching)

(intense music)

(intense music)

(tires screeching)

(tires screeching)

- Hold on.

(slamming)

- [Roger] But while it was working it was very good.

- [Roger] But while it was working it was very good.

And I had to make more films than I'd been making.

And I had to make more films than I'd been making.

I started to ease back on the number of films

I started to ease back on the number of films

because the theatrical quite as good,

because the theatrical quite as good,

but now, armed ammunition, as it were,

but now, armed ammunition, as it were,

but now, armed ammunition, as it were,

of the home video, I ramped back up.

of the home video, I ramped back up.

And Raiders of the Sun was one of the results.

And Raiders of the Sun was one of the results.

(whipping)

(whipping)

(grunting)

(grunting)

- There were a fair number of small people

- There were a fair number of small people

because the Filipinos were a few inches shorter in stature

because the Filipinos were a few inches shorter in stature

than the average American.

than the average American.

I did mention that to Cirio and I said,

"Try to get as many taller people

"Try to get as many taller people

"as you can into the films."

"as you can into the films."

But I never thought of it as a particular problem.

But I never thought of it as a particular problem.

(cheering)

(funky upbeat music)

(funky upbeat music)

(ominous monotone sound effect)

(ominous monotone sound effect)

(buzzing)

(buzzing)

- Let's get the hell out of here.

- [Roger] The Terror Within came a little bit later

- [Roger] The Terror Within came a little bit later

in my cycle of post-apocalyptic films.

in my cycle of post-apocalyptic films.

The deal with MGM had collapsed under the guidance,

The deal with MGM had collapsed under the guidance,

or misguidance, of Mr. Peretti and things looked bad.

or misguidance, of Mr. Peretti and things looked bad.

- Come on Tate, you can make it.

- Come on Tate, you can make it.

- [Roger] As a matter of fact,

the history of this company might be

the history of this company might be

things are looking great, then they look bad,

then something comes up to save us.

then something comes up to save us.

We were doing very, very well the first 20 years or so

We were doing very, very well the first 20 years or so

of the company with our theatrical distribution.

of the company with our theatrical distribution.

As it started to slip a little bit, HBO came up

As it started to slip a little bit, HBO came up

and for the first few years

and for the first few years

we were one of their major suppliers.

we were one of their major suppliers.

And we were doing very well, again.

Then they moved to bigger budget pictures,

Then they moved to bigger budget pictures,

things looked a little bad, the MGM deal came up,

things looked a little bad, the MGM deal came up,

things were looking good, again.

things were looking good, again.

Then the MGM deal collapsed and my wife actually

Then the MGM deal collapsed and my wife actually

Then the MGM deal collapsed and my wife actually

was talking to somebody at Showtime

and they new the type of films we were making,

and they new the type of films we were making,

so they offered me a deal to make some films for Showtime.

so they offered me a deal to make some films for Showtime.

so they offered me a deal to make some films for Showtime.

I ended up making 33 pictures for Showtime in three years.

I ended up making 33 pictures for Showtime in three years.

It was a wonderful deal because Showtime

It was a wonderful deal because Showtime

was buying the American rights

was buying the American rights

and Haim Saban was buying the foreign rights.

and Haim Saban was buying the foreign rights.

And all I had to do was make the best films

And all I had to do was make the best films

I could for less money than combination

I could for less money than combination

of when I was getting from Haim Saban and Showtime.

of when I was getting from Haim Saban and Showtime.

And The Terror Within was one of the first of those films.

And The Terror Within was one of the first of those films.

- You ugly son of a bitch.

- You ugly son of a bitch.

(growling)

(growling)

- Faced with the prospect again,

- Faced with the prospect again,

of making more than 10 pictures a year,

of making more than 10 pictures a year,

I started thinking back to what had been successful for us.

I started thinking back to what had been successful for us.

I thought about the monster films,

I thought about the films and I thought,

I thought about the films and I thought,

"Why don't we make a post-apocalyptic monster film?"

"Why don't we make a post-apocalyptic monster film?"

"Why don't we make a post-apocalyptic monster film?"

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(growling)

(growling)

(screaming)

(smacking)

(squelching)

(squelching)

The result was The Terror Within.

The result was The Terror Within.

Now, it turned out very well,

but we did something that we got some rather good reviews

but we did something that we got some rather good reviews

but we did something that we got some rather good reviews

and good comments for.

To make the film a little bit more exciting,

To make the film a little bit more exciting,

we said that in this post-apocalyptic world,

we said that in this post-apocalyptic world,

the monsters interbreeding with human beings.

the monsters interbreeding with human beings.

(moaning)

(moaning)

- David, wait, get her out of here, now.

(zapping)

(zapping)

Die, you miserable ugly fuck, die.

Die, you miserable ugly fuck, die.

(smacking)

- And we were ahead of our time and many critics

- And we were ahead of our time and many critics

really praised that portion of the film,

really praised that portion of the film,

which to me was important,

but it was a minor portion of the film.

but it was a minor portion of the film.

(roaring)

(roaring)

(clicking)

(clicking)

(electricity sparking)

(screaming)

(screaming)

(smacking)

(smacking)

(roaring)

- David, David power on the block.

- David, David power on the block.

Come on David, hurry, please.

Come on David, hurry, please.

(roaring)

(suspenseful music)

(suspenseful music)

(clicking)

(fan whirring)

(fan whirring)

(roaring)

(roaring)

- Adios, Motherfuckers.

- Adios, Motherfuckers.

(beeping)

(beeping)

(exploding)

(exploding)

(exploding)

(funky upbeat music)

(funky upbeat music)

[END CREDITS]

[END CREDITS]