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The Cannonball Run 1981

A daring race across America ignites when a rebellious driver challenges a diverse group of eccentric personalities to participate in an unsanctioned cross-country competition. Among the participants are a suave secret agent and a glamorous actress, as they navigate hilarious obstacles and unexpected detours in a high-stakes, fast-paced adventure.

A daring race across America ignites when a rebellious driver challenges a diverse group of eccentric personalities to participate in an unsanctioned cross-country competition. Among the participants are a suave secret agent and a glamorous actress, as they navigate hilarious obstacles and unexpected detours in a high-stakes, fast-paced adventure.

Does The Cannonball Run have end credit scenes?

Yes!

The Cannonball Run does have end credit scenes. Stay until the very end!

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Cannonball Run

Explore the complete cast of The Cannonball Run, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Cannonball Run

See how The Cannonball Run is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Cannonball Run stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

28

Metascore

8.1

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

Take the Ultimate The Cannonball Run Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Cannonball Run with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


The Cannonball Run Quiz: Test your knowledge on the hilarious and chaotic escapades of 'The Cannonball Run' from 1981.

Who is the no-nonsense representative of the 'Safety Enforcement Unit'?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Cannonball Run

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Read the complete plot summary of The Cannonball Run, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In the tranquil town of Connecticut, a diverse group of racers has assembled for the ultimate test of speed and endurance - a thrilling cross-country car race that promises to challenge both the drivers and their vehicles. As the starting gun echoes through the air, an eclectic ensemble of characters revs their engines, eagerly anticipating the wild adventure that lies ahead.

Among the competitors is Mr. Arthur J. Foyt, a steadfast representative of the Safety Enforcement Unit, who is resolutely determined to halt this environmentally hazardous and recklessly dangerous event. Accompanying him is Pamela Glover, a devoted photographer with a profound love for trees, injecting a dose of humanity into their otherwise mundane mission.

The race kicks off with a bang when JJ and Victor, driving their trusty ambulance, encounter Foyt and Glover following a minor fender bender. While Foyt ardently pleads for assistance, Glover begs JJ and Victor to spare her, but alas, they seize the opportunity to kidnap her instead, speeding off joyously without Foyt.

Adding to the mix is Victor’s secret superhero persona, “Captain Chaos,” who has a notorious reputation for causing mayhem on the roads. The peculiar crew of the ambulance also includes Dr. Van Helsing, who wields a comically large hypodermic needle, meant to keep Glover quiet during their impending escapade.

As competitors jockey for position and rivalries brew, an array of outrageous schemes unfold. In Ohio, the mischievous Fenderbaum and Blake manage to persuade Victor to stop and give their patient a blessing, but not before Fenderbaum sabotages their ambulance by puncturing a tire. This leads JJ to devise a fitting revenge in Missouri by misinforming a police officer that the self-proclaimed priests are actually Communist sex perverts.

In a climactic moment, the leading teams find themselves stranded on a desert highway, awaiting the clearance from construction workers. A biker gang suddenly descends upon Compton and Finch, igniting a chaotic melee. At this crucial moment, “Captain Chaos” springs into action to take down the unruly bikers, while the Subaru team demonstrates their exceptional martial arts prowess.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the construction crew announces the reopening of the road, prompting the racers to sprint back to their vehicles and continue their high-stakes pursuit of glory. As the ambulance lagged behind, Victor’s transformation from simple medic to “Captain Chaos” left everyone in awe. The final stretch to victory is marked by a painstakingly choreographed convergence of vehicles, leading to a heated foot race. JJ hands over his team’s time card to Victor, only to launch a surprise counterattack on the remaining racers, which leaves just two contenders in the mix: Victor and Marcie, one of the enigmatic Lamborghini ladies.

In a nail-biting finish, as Victor appears set to clinch victory, a frantic spectator cries out for help, her baby having tumbled into the water. Responding with his characteristic flair, Victor dashes to rescue the distressed canine, unwittingly allowing Marcie to cross the finish line first.

Though JJ’s frustration boils over as he confronts Victor about his reckless behavior, our hero remains nonchalant, shedding his “Captain Chaos” identity to reveal his true self: Captain USA. This moment of confrontation transforms into a heartwarming embrace, mending their friendship. Meanwhile, Foyt makes his reappearance, lamenting the turmoil that has plagued America’s highways. Seymour, ever the charming participant, offers Foyt a cigar and suggests using the lighter from his vehicle. Initially unsuspecting, the situation takes a turn when Seymour accidentally activates an ejection seat, propelling him into the water with a splash.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Cannonball Run

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Cannonball Run. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


The Cannonball Run (trailer)

The Cannonball Run ≣ 1981 ≣ Trailer

The Cannonball Run (1980) (TV Spot)

The Cannonball Run 1981 TV trailer

Cars Featured in The Cannonball Run

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Explore all cars featured in The Cannonball Run, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Aston

1963

Martin DB5

BMW

1977

320i E21

Buick

1970

LeSabre

Cadillac

1969

DeVille Convertible

Cadillac

1967

Fleetwood Eldorado

Cadillac

1974

unknown

Caterpillar

950 A

Checker

1970

Marathon

Chevrolet

1975

Bel Air

Chevrolet

1973

C-30

The Cannonball Run Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


racercompetitioncleavageon the roadroad tripcar racingcar raceillegal grand prix racealtered version of studio logocarsploitationbatman charactervan helsing characterthree word titlereckless drivingreference to batmancult classiccult comedyfemale police officerlamborghini countachmotorsports sportroad trip comedycar actionfuelrefuelgasolinetruck drivingcult filmfirst partpart of duologymustached manreynolds and mooreroad rallyroad raceautomobile racebikinibathing suitlamborghiniroad trip adventurebig cleavageends with a freeze framearizonareference to arizonamotorcyclepolicepokiescantonesereference to george hamiltonreference to roger moorereference to allahredneck

The Cannonball Run Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for The Cannonball Run across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


キャノンボール:1981 Los locos del Cannonball 캐논볼 캐논볼 1 炮弹飞车 Auf dem Highway ist die Hölle los La corsa più pazza d'America L'Équipée du Cannonball Ud At Køre Med De Skøre Ágyúgolyó futam Рали Кенънбол Гонки «Пушечное ядро» Tajný závod Перегони Гарматне ядро Wyścig Armatniej Kuli Mitt i plåten! מירוץ מחוף לחוף Cannonball Yarışı Quem Não Corre Voa Cursa ghiulea キャノンボール 砲彈飛車 Κάνονμπολ 炮彈飛車 Pakvaišėlių lenktynės เหาะแล้วซิ่ง Utrka Cannonball Els bojos del Cannonball Dirka Cannonball Kanuunankuularalli Carrera de locos

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Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


Other Names for The Cannonball Run

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for The Cannonball Run. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


キャノンボール:1981 Los locos del Cannonball 캐논볼 캐논볼 1 炮弹飞车 Auf dem Highway ist die Hölle los La corsa più pazza d'America L'Équipée du Cannonball Ud At Køre Med De Skøre Ágyúgolyó futam Рали Кенънбол Гонки «Пушечное ядро» Tajný závod Перегони Гарматне ядро Wyścig Armatniej Kuli Mitt i plåten! מירוץ מחוף לחוף Cannonball Yarışı Quem Não Corre Voa Cursa ghiulea キャノンボール 砲彈飛車 Κάνονμπολ 炮彈飛車 Pakvaišėlių lenktynės เหาะแล้วซิ่ง Utrka Cannonball Els bojos del Cannonball Dirka Cannonball Kanuunankuularalli Carrera de locos

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