Vanishing Point 1971 / Death Proof

Those of you that enjoyed Tarantino's segment of Grindhouse DEATH PROOF, may have noticed that he name checks the 1971 car chase movie so many times that you have to wonder why he didn't just name his movie Death Point or Vanishing Proof (or for those of that didn't like the film Talk Proof). I have heard of the film, but have never seen it and since I loved Death Proof, I wanted to check out film - and at only $9.99, it is tough not to just pick it up
Vanishing Point DVD (NTSC Region 1)

Aside from a pretty kick ass car chase movie with an engaging lead, Vanishing Point also works on a few other levels, one of which is the way the film is put together and it is obvious that Tarantino loves the structure of the film which can be seen in his own films. Along with that the film also oddly works on a metaphysical midnight movie level as our hero takes sage advice from various people including a crusty old John Huston-esque desert dweller and a nude hippie biker chick. Sadly the film suffers from its own device and grows thin as a 90+ min car chase - like any film that tries to ride one note - but fortunately, it never entirely wears out its welcome and because it apsires to be more than just a car chase film, it works and works well as a 70s cult oddity that never delves into total camp. When Grindhouse makes its way to DVD, I would be curious to watch Death Proof and Vanishing Point together to see how much more they have in common than an initial viewing reveals.