Highway to Hell

The third feature film from director low-budget Texas auteur Bret McCormick, Highway to Hell (1990) is a ride-or-die for fans of regional action epics. Mass murderer Toby Gilmore (Benton Jennings) escapes from prison to continue his random killing spree, grabbing a pretty hostage (Blue Thompson) along the way, dodging pursuit from a cop (Richard Harrison) with a personal grudge.

Like most of McCormick’s films, this one lives and dies on enthusiasm rather than resources. And lead actor Benton Jennings has the former in spades! In a performance that veers from chaotic to hilarious, his turn as the gun crazy Gilmore is equal parts Nicolas Cage, Rutger Hauer and Yosemite Sam, throwing a temper tantrum at every inanimate object in sight. He’s like the overly committed lead singer of a punk band, spitting, swearing and sweating through every scene at full volume. And dragging the entire movie along with him.

Highway to Hell adds a few production upgrades that make it seem more professional, like car camera rigs and the world’s most explosive helicopter. But a movie like this works on handmade charm, where you can practically feel the friends, favors and borrowed equipment holding the production together. In a pre-digital era, this is the kind of outlaw filmmaking that earned indie respect…and maybe just enough money to do it all over again.

Visual Vengeance has rescued this one from the only surviving VHS copy, which looks surprisingly good. There’s also a trunkful of extras - interviews with cast crew, commentary track, slipcover, poster and bonus SOV feature film Redneck County Fever. Don’t skip over the comments from co-star Richard Harrison. It might be the funniest damn special feature you see all year!

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