Bill Ballinger, who wrote seven episodes for Hitch, put some imagination into this desert adventure. Hitch had good taste, Bill wrote the cult classic, THE STRANGLER (1964), starring Victor Buono, based on the infamous Boston Strangler.
No question, an essay on human nature at its absolute worst. This is a very good role for young Burt Reynolds, cast as a truck driver, who along with his dad, are stuck in the middle of the California desert.
It's just their luck to run into a couple of kidnappers, and the girl (Venetia Stevenson) they are holding hostage, to seal the deal. These characters are a ruthless bunch, an outlaw version of the OUTCASTS OF POKER FLAT, only set in the desert. They wreck their car and now have their eyes set on Burt's truck.
The ending is pure Hitchcock, and again you have to enjoy a chuckle. No matter what, Burt is the whole show and what makes this story fascinating to watch. Pretty Venetia Stevenson (who passed in 2022), was the daughter of Robert Stevenson, who also directed for Hitch.
One of the best and original dark comedies. From SEASON 5 EPISODE 37 remastered Universal dvd box set. 5 dvds. 15 hrs. Released 2008.