Main Cast: Vincent Spano, Jenya Lano, Traci Lords, Cliff Saunders, Matthew Currie Holmes, Alan C. Peterson
Release Year: 2003
Run Time: 95 minutes
Plot
A feature-length pilot for a possible cable TV series, Deathlands: Homeward Bound was inspired by a series of novels and audio-books written by James Axler (actually a joint pseudonym, shared by several prominent science-fiction authors). Sort of a "Mad Max Meets the A-Team," the film is set in a post-apocalyptic future, where crime and destruction is the norm and law-and-order is in the hands of a few courageous mavericks. Vincent Spano stars as justice-fighter Ryan Cawdor, who travels the scorched countryside in his "SecWag," or military security wagon. Cawdor's hearty band of cohorts include his half-mutant girl, an angry Albino teenager, and a geeky weapons specialist called the Armorer. Not surprisingly, the original "Deathlands" book series was incredibly popular with long-distance truck drivers, presumably the audience to whom this ultra-macho thriller is geared. Deathlands: Homeward Bound debuted May 17, 2003, on the Sci-Fi Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Nathan Carter - Jak Lauren; Colin Fox - Baron Titus Cawdor; Jeffrey R. Smith - Sergeant; Max Danger - Jabez Pendragon Cawdor; Park Bench - Young Harvey; Duane Murray - Sec Man #3; Rob Westgate - Sec Man #4; David J. MacNeil - Sec Man #5; Michael Stevens - Nathan's Man
Credit
Jon P. Goulding - Art Director, Ruth Secord - Costume Designer, Joshua Butler - Director, Joshua Butler - Editor, Joshua Butler - Executive Producer, Harry Werksman - Executive Producer, Chet Fenster - Executive Producer, Chris Lennertz - Composer (Music Score), Ed Hanna - Production Designer, Bruce Worrall - Cinematographer, Derek Rappaport - Producer, Harry Werksman - Teleplay By, Gabrielle Stanton - Teleplay By, James Axler - Book Author
The movie did not go over well for some fans of the books, since the director took liberties with the storyline and characters. The lack of a proper budget was also a major problem; one reviewer opined that the film's budget was "well into the tens of dollars." Other fans, however, praised the unique camera work and innovative style.
Key changes in the film included making one fan favorite character, albino teen Jak Lauren, a hot-headed mutant savage and completely omitting the character of Doc Tanner.
