Roger Zelazny’s novel
Damnation Alley (1967) was used as source material, but as is often the case, the 1977 film version did not necessarily follow the book to the letter.
Promising huge special effects along with science fiction action, the film was released five months after
Star Wars had already captured that audience by the bucketful and had also truly delivered with spectacular creatures and ground breaking special effects.
Damnation Alley did poorly at the box office and was quickly pulled and repackaged on a double bill with Ralph Bakshi's
Wizards (1977). Curious side note: the film's "Landmaster" later made a cameo in Chris Elliott's sitcom
Get a Life as the Paperboy 2000.
The feature is presented below.