My first review of the year is for, appropriately enough, the very first movie that I saw in 2024. New Year’s Day happened to be on a Monday and that’s obviously when BAD MOVIE MONDAY is held. So me and my friends started the year off right. DEVIL’S EXPRESS is a 1976 Horror/Kung Fu/Blaxploitation movie starring the majestically named Warhawk Tanzania, along with Larry Fleischman, Wilfredo Roldan. Stephen DeFazio, Elsie Roman, Moses Lyllia, and Brother Theodore! It was directed by Barry Rosen, and written by Rosen, Nikki Patton, and Pascual Vaquer.
This movie was suggested by my friend Chase, who has become quite the Trash Cinema connoisseur I must say, and I became hip to this pick the minute I saw that the lead was called Warhawk Tanzania. I mean, how could I not be? Even after I looked up his IMDb and saw that his real name was probably Warren Hawks or Warren Hawkins and that he’d only made one other movie, I DIDN’T CARE. I loved him. I don’t completely know why to be honest. Because he’s not a super great actor and he can’t do Kung Fu for shit, but so what? The man had a sense of grandeur and showmanship. That’s worth something, right? If BAD MOVIE MONDAY can teach you anything, it’s that a terrible movie is not always a terrible experience. When a filmmaker loves cinema, you can always tell, and everyone involved in this film loved cinema. They did the absolute best they could with what they had. Even when they didn’t have much to give, they gave their 100%
Besides, Devil’s Express was made in circa 1976 New York City and holy jumping shitballs is that awesome! If for no other reason, watch this movie for the sheer nineteen-seventies greatness on display. This isn’t the modern “theme park” version of the city that’s basically only for tourists and rich people now. This is the mean gritty dirty Martin Scorsese version of New York. The kind of place that your grandparents still talk about in hushed tones.
SO WHAT’S THE STORY JEREMY?
An ancient Chinese demon that was imprisoned in a subterranean cave in 200 B.C. is accidentally unleashed by a none-too-bright NYC gang leader named Rodan who has been brought to Hong Kong by his martial arts master, played by Warhawk, in order for both of them to improve their Kung Fu skills. The demon then slinks away and possesses a hapless traveller at a nearby port, and then makes it’s way back to New York City on a passenger ship. Once there, afraid of the light, it hides in the subways, killing workers and passengers. Eventually, it murders Rodan, exacerbating a gang war between Rodan’s gang, The Blackjacks, and a Chinese gang called The Red Dragons. Warhawk eventually realizes that he’s the only one who can stop it, using Kung Fu of course. Why not a gun? Is there any reason why punching the demon works better than shooting it? I’m just thinking out loud here… Anyway, this leads to the final confrontation which will test the strength of Warhawk’s mind as well as his body’s.
TEN THOUGHTS:
#1 – The movie starts in China, in 200 B.C. and um… I don’t think the filmmakers knew a lot about history or Chinese culture or anything really. I mean, there’s a guy swinging a JAPANESE katana, which looks cool but is about a thousand years too early and in the wrong country.
#2 – The credits of this movie were apparently edited by Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde because we go back and forth between frantically flying through a subway tunnel like this is the opening shot of Evil Dead with weird space music, and then lazily cruising the NYC streets with funky soul music. It’s such a jarring edit that even I think it’s a “wutdafuck?” moment, and usually I’m very forgiving. I’ll say one thing though, it’s entertaining and keeps you on your toes.
#3 – Like many seventies exploitation flicks, this was shot fast and dirty, but it does have an attempt at quality. It’s not ugly to look at. People, both in front and behind the camera, seem to do their best with whatever skills they possess. It’s a sincere film made in good faith, and it seeks to entertain. Does it work? Eh… sometimes.
#4 – BROTHER THEODORE. Actor. Comedian. Philosopher. Prophet. He is not shackled by the confines of cinema or comedy or sanity. Do not doubt Brother Theodore for he has a madness to his method. He doesn’t have a big part. He plays a priest that blesses some of the Demon’s murder victims and gravely intones nonsense. I’m not sure he read the script or gave two shits about being in this movie, but the man is a consummate professional and totally commits to acting like he should be committed. If you’ve never heard of him, go look on YouTube. Trust me, you shan’t regret it.
#5 – There is an odd scene with a bag lady walking through the subway cars at some point. She either was played by the best actress in this movie or an actual bag lady. Considering the budget, there’s a strong possibility that it could be the latter.
#6 – Usually, I would say that films like this were often made without permits. However, the people who made this movie had a friend at the Transit System because there is NO way they filmed these scenes without permission. I mean, they’re literally on the tracks at some point.
#7 – The makeup for a guy who gets possessed by the demon consists of white makeup over his eyelids to make it look like he has big white eyes. As I describe this, you all are probably thinking “Wow, that sounds like crap.” but, know what? It is shockingly effective. I’d go as far as to say that it’s borderline disturbing. It’s just one of those simple effects that really works.
#8 – I hate to say it, because the man has an awesome name, a majestic Afro, epic seventies sideburns and a really awesome voice and screen presence, but Warhawk Tanzania is a lot of sizzle and no steak. He’s not a bad actor, and I’ve seen far worse writing, but there’s never a moment where he gets to truly pop off the screen. There’s never a moment where he gets to really shine. Then again, maybe I’m asking too much out of a low budget Blaxploitation flick and Warhawk gave us exactly what we needed and deserved.
#9 – The ending fight between Warhawk and the ancient Chinese demon in the subway tunnels is… something. I don’t know what, but it’s something. Forgive me, I’m still trying to wrap my head around why he was wearing velour overalls with flared bell bottoms. I just could not see past that.
#10 – The film’s ending is both abrupt and also kind of drags on forever. I know this doesn’t sound possible, but trust me. The film sort of just ends once the demon is dead, and then we jump to an awkward and hastily shot epilogue. Like this is an episode of Dragnet where we need to end on a G-rated joke and a freeze frame.
WAS IT ACTUALLY A BAD MOVIE?
No, it’s not a bad movie. In fact, this could be a lot of fun if you’re in the right mood. I mean, it’s got a little bit of everything: Horror, Martial Arts, Blaxploitation, Smooth Seventies atmosphere. If the movie doesn’t provide enough enjoyment, surely you can make your own with those ingredients. Personally, I think it has a lot going for it, but I’m also a little hesitant to recommend it because it’s pacing is a bit dated and that can be a bit jarring for a newbie. However, I will say this: If you have any interest in Blaxploitation cinema then this is a must see. It’s not as famous as some of the bigger names, and it often isn’t as good, but it’s a hell of a lot wilder and more outlandish. 