Films like Damnation Alley.

Damnation Alley (1977) reads as Sombre, kinetic, measured post-apocalyptic / zelazny, inventive in texture. Ambivalent, mid-stakes, measured. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

Tentacles (1977) poster
1. Tentacles1977

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Omega Man (1971) poster
2. The Omega Man1971

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Island of the Fishmen (1979) poster
3. Island of the Fishmen1979

Keeps the bone-dry seriousness and the clean studio craft — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Winged Tiger (1970) poster
4. The Winged Tiger1970

Keeps the bone-dry seriousness and the clean studio craft; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

The Black Enforcer (1972) poster
5. The Black Enforcer1972

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977) poster
6. The Island of Dr. Moreau1977

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Shaolin Hand Lock (1978) poster
7. Shaolin Hand Lock1978

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Magnificent Swordsman (1968) poster
8. The Magnificent Swordsman1968

Keeps the bone-dry seriousness and the clean studio craft; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

The Final Countdown (1980) poster
9. The Final Countdown1980

Keeps the bone-dry seriousness and the clean studio craft; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

The Convict Killer (1980) poster
10. The Convict Killer1980

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Return of the 18 Bronzemen (1976) poster
11. Return of the 18 Bronzemen1976

Keeps the bone-dry seriousness; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

Saturn 3 (1980) poster
12. Saturn 31980

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are Damnation Alley’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

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