Battletruck

Lore & Background

The film was co-written and directed by Harley Cokeliss, who had written a four-page treatment in the mid-1970s during the energy crisis. After a planned adaptation of the Thongor novels was cancelled, Cokeliss took the project to Roger Corman, who responded positively. Filmed on location in the Central Otago plains of New Zealand, the production largely used a New Zealand crew and local actors. The film was made in New Zealand primarily due to tax incentives and lower production costs.

Reader's Guide

Battletruck is notable as a New Zealand entry in the post-apocalyptic genre that flourished after Mad Max. Its plot centers on a warlord named Colonel Jacob Straker, who uses a heavily armed armored truck to terrorize communities for fuel. The film features a cast including Michael Beck, Annie McEnroe, James Wainwright, John Ratzenberger, and Bruno Lawrence. The music was composed by Kevin Peek and performed by Eastern Orbit and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. A sequel titled Battletruck II was discussed prior to release but never produced. The film also employed Lee Tamahori, later director of Once Were Warriors, as boom operator.

Did You Know?

• It was filmed on the Central Otago plains in New Zealand and largely used a New Zealand crew and actors.
• Lee Tamahori, director of Once Were Warriors, served as the boom operator on the film.