Firebird 2015 AD

Firebird 2015 AD

Directed by	David M. Robertson
Screenplay by	Barry Pearson Maurice Hurley Biff McGuire^[2]
Produced by	Glenn Ludlow^[2]
Starring	Darren McGavin Doug McClure^[2]
Cinematography	Robert Fresco^[2]
Edited by	Michael MacLaverty^[2]
Music by	Paul Hoffert Lawrence Shragge^[2]
Distributed by	Roke Distributors
Release dates	18 September 1981 (1981-09-18) (Brentwood Corral 3 Drive-In, Calgary)
Country	Canada^[1]

Firebird 2015 AD is a 1981 Canadian science fiction film directed by David M. Robertson and starring Darren McGavin and Doug McClure.

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Plot

In the year 2015, the US government outlaws the distribution of gasoline to the public, reserving it only for the politicians, the Military and law enforcement. While it is implied this is due to a fuel shortage, later dialogue rebuffs this stating that gasoline is in abundance. Civilians are also banned from owning or using any form of motor vehicle, and those that do are referred to as Burners, and it is shown that this is a form of rebellion. Burners are monitored and dealt with harshly by the DVC; The Department of Vehicle Control.

Red, a middle-aged Burner, drives a 1980 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am. His teenage son Cameron (Robert Wisden), however, isn't much of a car enthusiast and always raises the issue of how Red is breaking the law. Meanwhile, another Burner is planning on chauffeuring a senator to a conference where he intends to make civilian use of motor vehicles legal again. But while en route to pick up his passenger, the Burner is intercepted by a DVC squad led by McVain (Doug McClure). His subordinate Dolan, a quiet sociopath, blows the Burner away with a grenade launcher. Shana, another member of McVain's team, is appalled by this act and how McVain constantly overlooks the matter. Red takes Cameron for a ride to try and spark his interest in motor cars. They then meet up with Red's friend Indy; another Burner who drives a Plymouth Barracuda. While he and Red race through the desert to see whose car is faster, Cameron gets acquainted with Indy's frisky daughter Jill, who makes repeated sexual advances on him while showing him how to drive her dune buggy. Red and Indy's race however is cut short when the DVC lay an ambush. But an over-anxious member fires too soon and the two make their getaway. Cameron and Jill head into a barn to have sex, but are caught by McVain's subordinates who rough up Cameron and assault Jill before making off with her. Cameron limps his way home and tells Red and Indy what happened. They modify their cars for a raid on the DVC's campsite to rescue Jill.

Meanwhile, Shana, appalled at Jill's treatment, frees her and the two escape while the rest of the DVC are run down by the burners. The next day Cameron and Jill decide to chauffeur the senator themselves in the Firebird, while Red gets acquainted with Shana.

Cast

Darren McGavin as Red
Doug McClure as McVain
George Touliatos as Indy
Robert Wisden as Cam (as Robert Charles Wisden)
Mary Beth Rubens as Jill
Barbara Williams as Shana
Alex Diakun as Dolan
Lee Broker as Saunders
Frank Pellegrino as Chance
Bill Berry as Burner

Release

Firebird 2015 AD was distributed in Canada by Roke Distributors and released in Calgary's Bretnwood Corral 3 Drive-In on September 18, 1981.^[2]

Reception

From retrospective reviews, Claude Gaillard discussed the film in his book on post-apocalyptic films stated that the film was "limp and brainless" and that "even connoisseurs of films so bad they become good will have a hard time enjoying [it]".^[1] A reviewer in TV Guide declared the film was only for car-lovers, giving it one of four stars. The reviewer stated that the movie showed a "lack of intelligence and the filmmakers' lack of technical know-how".^[3]