Lucio Fulci never fails to intrigue me with his incredibly ambitious projects and dedication to the craft. Not one to let a budget stand in his way, Fulci takes on large effects heavy films and delivers regardless of the visual appeal. Sometimes the effects in his movies are just downright ugly. But he makes it look so good. Warriors of the Year 2072 is no exception. It’s beautiful. Vibrant and crisp. A stark contrast to what I would think the future would have looked like.
Written and Directed by Lucio Fulci and featuring a cadre of screenwriters including Dardano Sacchetti (The Beyond, City of the Living Dead, and Amityville II), Elisa Briganti (Zombie, A Blade in the Dark, and 1990: Bronx Warriors), and Cesare Frugoni (Island of the Fishmen). We are treated to an early Running Man type story of vengeance, complete with gladiatorial fights and motorcycle chariots.
Fulci's mastery of practical effects is on full display, with impressive miniature work reminiscent of Ishiro Honda's iconic creations. The art direction is superb, and the use of wax work, particularly in the melting faces and walls, adds a grotesque yet mesmerizing touch. His willingness to experiment with various practical effects techniques is evident throughout the film. There is even a bit of animation and rotoscoping.
“Okay Raven, now I want you to zap me with your magic stick!”
American actor Jared Martin plays our lead. He grew to fame on the TV show, Dallas in 1978. He's actually really great in this and I would have loved to have seen him in some other Italian features. He plays Drake, the biggest TV star in the world, who was recently framed for taking the law into his own hands and murdering his wife's assailants. He's given a chance to clear his name if he competes in a new gladiator-esq TV show for a struggling network, the WBS Gladiator Contest. And once the movie starts heating up, Martin holds his own. It was easy to get on his side as he’s pretty likable. And his attempts to escape and push his weight around were amusing.
“Drake! The world's most popular Kill Bike Champion! Now condemned to die for killing the three men that brutally murdered his lovely wife. AVOXO”
Everyone in the cast is pretty unique for the most part. Fred Williamson is the most famous of the bunch and this is right in the middle of his Italian escapades. We've already seen him pop up in our project on films like Vigilante and 1990: The Bronx Warriors. Always a gruff badass and always welcome on my TV screen. I recognized a few more faces including Italian actor Al Cliver (Devil Hunter & Endgame), he's always great. And he never lives 😂. But also Claudio Cassinelli (Lion in the Desert & The Scorpion with Two Tails). He's sort of a big deal in Italian cinema and he's perfect for this Fulci picture.
Another thing that added to my enjoyment of this picture is Riz Ortolani's soundtrack as a standout element. It's good. Just what I would expect. The main theme perfectly complements the film's action and suspense. I was humming it all day. I was also pleased to see that the soundtrack is available on the Severin blu-ray release as a welcome bonus for fans.
Now a few gripes. While the film boasts a talented writing team, the script feels somewhat unfinished and rushed. Drake being framed and abducted by WBD could have been expanded on. Maybe even focusing on the development of a gladiator program could have been further explored. And it plays fast and loose with the plot development. But these complaints are less of a distraction and more par for the course with cheap Italian scifi. I wasn't too bothered and these flaws didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the film. It remains entertaining and engaging throughout, with multiple viewings revealing new details and nuances. The film's unique blend of action, suspense, and dark humor makes it a perfect fit for a late-night viewing on a show like MonsterVision.
It’s always a treat to watch Fulci movies. You never know where you’re going or just what’s going to transpire. While it's far from perfect, Warriors of the Year, 2072 is a far more entertaining feature than A Man Called Rage and Rats: Night of Terror. Three stars.
Warriors of the Year 2072 (aka. Rome 2072 A.D.: The New Gladiators, Fighting Centurions and Rome 2033 - The Fighter Centurions.)
Release Date: January 28th, 1984
RottenPop Rating: ★★★
Director: Lucio Fulci | Writers: Lucio Fulci, Dardano Sacchetti, Elisa Briganti, and Cesare Frugoni | Starring: Jared Martin, Fred Williamson, Howard Ross, Eleonora Brigliadori, and Cosimo Cinieri
Studios: Regency Productions
Country: Italy
Genres: Sci-Fi Action
