And it all kind of makes sense. America at that time was in the throes of moral chaos: Watergate, Vietnam, the rise of terrorism, the Kent State massacre. It makes only sense that if the moral center is in decay, the vacuum is left undefended to be ransacked by dark forces. If you live in a very black and white worldview, all that sounds like a justification for a moral crusade. Not so much if you’re a kid prone to wear black turtlenecks, roll D20s or listen to Judas Priest.

But at any rate, Race with the Devil stands the test of time as a sparse, low-budget-but-well-made action thriller. The characters are all likable and relatable (it never resorts to the knee-jerk bickering or in-fighting; they all pitch in to survive; there’s sympathy when one of them justifiably breaks down). The bad guys (despite being draped in K-Mart’s finest red capes) provide a tense blockade and an effective, ethereal menace. And there are two action scenes that are harrowing on their own terms: one involving white-knuckle, close quarters combat with a couple of coiled rattlers, and the other, a highway chase with some extremely well-done vehicle stunts that would fit right in a Mad Max movie.

I mean, come on, look at those posters! If that doesn’t sell you, I don’t know what will.