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Wheels of Terror

  • TV Movie
  • 1990
  • R
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
4.4/10
823
YOUR RATING
Wheels of Terror (1990)
HorrorThriller

A small town is terrorized by an unknown stranger who kidnaps and abuses little girls. When her only child is kidnapped right in front of her, the schoolbus driver begins the desperate chase... Read allA small town is terrorized by an unknown stranger who kidnaps and abuses little girls. When her only child is kidnapped right in front of her, the schoolbus driver begins the desperate chase to catch the criminal.A small town is terrorized by an unknown stranger who kidnaps and abuses little girls. When her only child is kidnapped right in front of her, the schoolbus driver begins the desperate chase to catch the criminal.

  • Director
    • Christopher Cain
  • Writer
    • Alan B. McElroy
  • Stars
    • Joanna Cassidy
    • Marcie Leeds
    • Gary Carlos Cervantes
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.4/10
    823
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Christopher Cain
    • Writer
      • Alan B. McElroy
    • Stars
      • Joanna Cassidy
      • Marcie Leeds
      • Gary Carlos Cervantes
    • 40User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos10

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    Top Cast23

    Edit
    Joanna Cassidy
    Joanna Cassidy
    • Laura
    Marcie Leeds
    • Stephanie
    Gary Carlos Cervantes
    Gary Carlos Cervantes
    • Luis
    • (as Carlos Cervantes)
    Arlen Dean Snyder
    Arlen Dean Snyder
    • Detective Drummond
    Henry Kendrick
    Henry Kendrick
    • Kellogg
    • (as Henry Max Kendrick)
    Sharon Thomas Cain
    • Amy Donaldson
    • (as Sharon Thomas)
    Jacob Kenner
    • Brad
    Julie Hasel
    • Girl on Bus
    Kimberly Duncan
    • Kimberly Donaldson
    Mindy Spence
    • Stacy Harrison
    Jon Conrad Pochron
    • Motorcycle Officer
    Kirk Nelson
    • Sheriff
    Kristina Betts
    • Girl Victim
    Roger Rook
    • Pastor
    'Bear' Cheney
    • Gym Trainer
    Liz Romero
    • Police Clerk
    John McCabe
    • Boy
    Robert Elliott
    • Mr. Donaldson
    • Director
      • Christopher Cain
    • Writer
      • Alan B. McElroy
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews40

    4.4823
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    Featured reviews

    telepinus1525

    Irritating lack of resolution of threat; Ms. Cassidy misused.

    One of the few movies I saw twice because I couldn't believe how boneheaded it was the first time! One of the things that bug about movies like this is the need to be "ambiguous" without revealing too much about the nature of the threat/killer/monster...all the director managed to do was annoy me with ,"So, what the hell was it?" and not even let know just what the hell "it" was! Unless the car really was possessed. Joanna Cassidy was served better in films like "Roger Rabbit" and "The Package", and was totally wasted here. Take a hint: don't even bother watching this snoozer.
    brigade-1

    Wheels Of Terror and in between movie for me

    I loved "Wheels Of Terror" I saw it back in 1990 on television and then recently saw it for sale on ebay and bought a copy......I liked it but I think some of the movie is wasted on slow motion scenes...I would recommend this movie to anyone. Joanna Cassidy is awesome.....the drama and the plot seemed kinda corny before I watched it ya know how could the bus keep up with that fast dodge charger...everything is explained...I am writing a scrip for "Wheels Of Terror II Burn Rubber" which is my own creation I am going to try my hardest to make that movie a reality and maybe it would bring "Wheels Of Terror" back to television or even put it in theaters but I doubt it. I left a message for the sequel I am putting together on the message board.....please give me in put on it. Wheels Of Terror on a scale on 1-10...1 is bad 10 is good......I would give it a 7 it is a favorite of mine.
    8Profaust

    Surprisingly good movie

    I saw this movie at 2 AM late one night in 1997. At first I only kept watching because there was nothing else on, and it looked a little slow for my tastes. As the movie went on, I was drawn into the drama of the girls being kidnapped... but the moment that Laura pulled up to her house, saw the infamous black car moving toward her daughter, and I suddenly remembered the mechanic at the beginning of the movie mentioning that all he had to repair the bus with was a racing engine and transmission, I was glued to my seat. The pacing of the movie was perfect, even when introduced to that sudden twist and chase scene. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes either social dramas or car chases.
    Zombie Jesus

    You're that hot-shot bus driver from LA!

    That pretty much sums up the film. There's a car without a driver, the aformentioned hotshot, and a "suped-up" yellow schoolbus. The whole 1st half of the movie is set-up for the second half, which is a ridiculous chase between the "driverless car" and our heroine.
    4gridoon

    The wheels of boredom.

    Pretty dull thriller. The director chooses an "arty" approach with lots of slow-motion sequences, "poetic" music and minimal dialogue, and it doesn't work. The characters have no personality, the script is virtually non-existent and the suspense is deflated by the fact that the "evil" car's driver (or the evil car itself) has plenty of opportunities to get away from the heroine who chases him, but keeps returning to do battle with her as if he has some scores to settle (we never find out what they might be). While you're watching this movie, don't be surprised if your mind starts going elsewhere, like into thinking what's for dinner or the next day's chores. (*1/2)

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    Related interests

    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The story was initially going to take place in Napa Valley, California. This was changed to Arizona at the last minute for budgetary reasons.
    • Goofs
      The cars consistently change from '71 to '74 Dodge Chargers.
    • Quotes

      Kimberly Donaldson: I'm practically on a Wheaties box.

      Stephanie: I don't think anybody wants to look at your face while they're eating.

    • Connections
      References Cheaper by the Dozen (1950)
    • Soundtracks
      Im Feldquartier
      (uncredited)

      Traditional

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 11, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Terror in Copper Valley
    • Filming locations
      • Patagonia Union High School - 200 Naugle Ave., Patagonia, Arizona, USA(school exterior)
    • Production companies
      • Once Upon a Time Films
      • Wilshire Court Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 25m(85 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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