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* KickTheDog. Sally, a kindly older woman, runs a gas station and has a small roadside menagerie featuring her beloved pet snakes and other desert animals. To stop Mann from getting help, the trucker mows down the phone-booth at "Sally's Snake-O-Rama" gas-station. The trucker also runs over several of the cages, [[CoolOldLady leading to Sally frantic over the welfare of her animals.]]
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* MightyRoar: Spielberg added one (taken from an old dinosaur flick) as [[spoiler:the truck falls down the cliff.]] (it appears in ''Film/{{Jaws}}'' as [[spoiler:the shark's carcass sinks into the ocean]]). The Dolby soundtrack on the dvd (the default setting) lacks this.
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* MightyRoar: Spielberg added one (taken from an old dinosaur flick) as [[spoiler:the truck falls down the cliff.]] (it appears in ''Film/{{Jaws}}'' as [[spoiler:the shark's carcass sinks into the ocean]]). The Dolby soundtrack on the dvd DVD (the default setting) lacks this.
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* FauxAffablyEvil: The truck driver helps nudge a stalled school bus back onto the road, presumably because Mann had just failed to and because doing so makes Mann look like a lunatic ranting about truck drivers out to kill him. He's less polite to the owner of Snakearama, whose cages he barrels through.
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No, you see her and the kids when Mann first calls her.
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* TheVoice: Mann's wife.
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Unrelated to an old kung-fu movie titled ''Film/DuelOfTheIronFist'', which is titled ''The Duel'' in certain international releases and coincidentally also from 1971.
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* AmbiguousSituation: Is the guy that Mann confronted in the diner the murderous truck driver, or not? If not, were ''any'' of the guys in the diner the driver? The movie never clears this up.
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** Subverted with the [[spoiler:flammable gas tank of the truck, which does ''not'' explode at any point.]]
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* AdaptationExpansion: Since it was based on a short story, the movie naturally adds a lot of new scenes to expand the story to movie length. These include, among other things, the scene at the railroad crossing and the bus.
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Dewicked trope
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* AdultFear: Mann is essentially stalked, tormented, and nearly murdered by a sadistic SerialKiller who also happens to own a big, heavy vehicle that could kill him in one hit. And there's no one he can go to for help.
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* PsychoStrings: Heard when the truck begins to back up towards Mann and the elderly couple, causing the elderly couple to [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere flee the scene]].
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* TheSpook: The driver's name and his reasons for what he does to the protagonist are never made known. We don't even get to see more than the occasional glimpse of a limb or two. His nature is a complete mystery.
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* TheSpook: The truck driver's name and his reasons for what why he does to the protagonist chases and torments Mann are never made known. We don't even get to see more than the occasional glimpse of a limb or two. His nature is a complete mystery.
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* ReptilesAreAbhorrent: As if Mann wasn't having a bad enough day already, at one point he has to avoid snakes and spiders released from their cages by the truck as it tries to run him over.
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* ReptilesAreAbhorrent: As if Mann wasn't having a bad enough day already, at one point he has to avoid snakes and spiders released from their cages by the truck as it tries to run him over. Subverted, as their owner is a kindly woman who clearly cares about them and is distraught by them being put in danger.
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* RealLifeWritesThePlot: Writer Creator/RichardMatheson based the original story on an incident where a truck driver started tailgating him on his way home from a golfing match. (Interestingly, it happened on the day JFK was assassinated.)
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* RealLifeWritesThePlot: Writer Creator/RichardMatheson based the original story on an incident where a truck driver started tailgating him on his way home from a golfing match. (Interestingly, it happened on the day JFK [[UsefulNotes/JohnFKennedy JFK]] was assassinated.)
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Society Marches On has been renamed; cleaning out misuse and moving examples
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* SocietyMarchesOn: Several times you will hear Mann say "fill the tank with ethyl", meaning (leaded) gas. Ethyl was the trademark for tetraethyl lead.
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Only One Name is if they only have one name. If they have more names that are unrevealed, it's No Full Name Given.
* NoFullNameGiven: In the original story, Mann has no first name, while his wife has one. In the film, this is inverted.
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* OnlyOneName: In the original story, Mann has no first name, while his wife has one. In the film, this is inverted.
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* MundaneHorror: There's nothing overtly supernatural about the truck or its driver. As far as the audience or the protagonist know, he's just some guy in a rusty big rig who likes to pick another driver at random and run them off the road, for who knows what reason.
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* SpiritualSuccessor: ''Film/RoadGames'' (1981) and (some say) ''Film/JoyRide'' (2001), along with ''Film/{{Breakdown}}'' (1997) and ''Film/PremiumRush'' (2012). Also thought to have inspired the "possessed car" genre of TheSeventies and TheEighties, including works like ''Literature/{{Christine}}'', ''Film/TheCarsThatAteParis'', and ''Film/TheCar''.
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* SpiritualSuccessor: ''Film/RoadGames'' (1981) and (some say) ''Film/JoyRide'' (2001), along with ''Film/{{Breakdown}}'' (1997) and ''Film/PremiumRush'' (2012). ''Film/RoadTrain'' also probably owes a bit of inspiration to this film, albeit with an explicitly supernatural antagonist. Also thought to have inspired the "possessed car" genre of TheSeventies and TheEighties, including works like ''Literature/{{Christine}}'', ''Film/TheCarsThatAteParis'', and ''Film/TheCar''.
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* AdultFear: Mann is essentially stalked, tormented, and nearly murdered by a sadistic SerialKiller who also happens to own a big, heavy vehicle that could kill him in one hit. And there's no one he can go to for help.
* CassandraTruth: Nobody believes Mann when he claims a truck driver is trying to kill him.
* ExtremeDoormat: Mann is a self-admitted HenpeckedHusband, he didn't defend his wife after she was inappropriately groped at a party, and his only strategy [[spoiler: at first]] for dealing with the violent truck driver is to try and avoid him as much as he can.
*GutPunch: The trucker spends the first part of the movie being an obnoxious nuisance, but not exactly threatening. It is when the trucker tricks Mann into a head-on collision (that he barely avoids) with another car that the trucker's insanity becomes evident.
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* JustToyingWithThem: The truck driver could have easily killed Mann several times before the climax should he have wanted to.
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* JustToyingWithThem: The There are many moments when the truck driver could have easily killed Mann several times before the climax should he have wanted to.to, like the scene along the train tracks. But nope, he just wanted to revel in Mann's fear and helplessness a little bit more.
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* VillainWithGoodPublicity: When David tries to use his vehicle to help push a school bus, his puny AllegedCar is an ineffective disappointment. The truck driver shows up and does a much better job, making David look bad, making himself look good and frustrating the shit out of David even more.
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Page is going to be cut per TRS. I tried to salvage this example by identifying another trope in it, but the Car Meets House entry already does it so I removed this one
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* PhoneBooth: Mann tries to call the police in one, [[spoiler:and nearly gets killed for his pains.]]
* PoorCommunicationKills: Mann could have asked the man at the diner which truck was his before he started blaming him. Instead fisticuffs ensued.
* PoorCommunicationKills: Mann could have asked the man at the diner which truck was his before he started blaming him. Instead fisticuffs ensued.
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* PhoneBooth: Mann tries to call the police in one, [[spoiler:and nearly gets killed for his pains.]]
* PoorCommunicationKills:PoorCommunicationKills:
** Mann could have asked the man at the diner which truck was his before he started blaming him. Instead fisticuffs ensued.
* PoorCommunicationKills:
** Mann could have asked the man at the diner which truck was his before he started blaming him. Instead fisticuffs ensued.
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I just watched this movie, and whilst the driver being a Serial Killer is inferred, it is possible to argue otherwise.
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* AmbiguouslyHuman: The truck driver to an extent, since he seems to show up whenever and wherever Mann is, like he's some kind of supernatural entity of sorts.
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* CoolCar: For a killing machine.
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* CoolCar: For a dirty, grungy, killing machine.machine, the truck is surprisingly impressive.
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* CreepySouvenir: A relatively subtle example, with [[spoiler: the license plates mounted on the front of the truck.]]
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* CreepySouvenir: A relatively subtle example, with [[spoiler: the Implied. [[spoiler:The multiple license plates from different states mounted on the truck's front of and back. Yeah, they could just be proof that the truck.driver regularly crosses state lines, but given how he behaves, and the fact there are ''notches'' carved in the headlights...]]
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* DisneyVillainDeath: [[spoiler:The truck and its driver.]]
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* DisneyVillainDeath: [[spoiler:The truck and its driver.driver end up driving over a ledge after being blinded when they ram into David's car and it catches fire.]]
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* DisproportionateRetribution: Mann does nothing to the truck driver but pass in front of him. Apparently, that's enough for the truck driver to terrorize him.
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* DisproportionateRetribution: Mann does nothing to the truck driver but pass in front of him. Apparently, that's enough for the truck driver to terrorize him and then try to murder him.
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* {{Foreshadowing}}: "You said there would be ''no'' problem getting home on time!"
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* {{Foreshadowing}}: {{Foreshadowing}}:
** The whole plot of the movie is foreshadowed with this complaint from Mrs. Mann: "You said there would be ''no'' problem getting home ontime!"time!"
** The truck has multiple license plates mounted on it, clearly from different states. At first glance, a viewer would think this is just a marker that the driver regularly crosses state lines. [[spoiler:They're a subtle clue that he's a SerialKiller.]]
** The whole plot of the movie is foreshadowed with this complaint from Mrs. Mann: "You said there would be ''no'' problem getting home on
** The truck has multiple license plates mounted on it, clearly from different states. At first glance, a viewer would think this is just a marker that the driver regularly crosses state lines. [[spoiler:They're a subtle clue that he's a SerialKiller.]]
* GoryDiscretionShot: [[spoiler:The only sign that the truck driver is killed when his ride goes over the cliff is a brief shot of the cabin's interior, where a very dark red fluid is dripping off of the steering wheel. Even then, one can argue it's just oil.]]
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* HopeSpot: When he sees what he thinks is a police car.
* HuntingTheMostDangerousGame: The truck is doing this.
* HuntingTheMostDangerousGame: The truck is doing this.
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* HopeSpot: When he David sees what he thinks is a police car... then subverted when it turns out to just be a pest exterminator's car.
* HuntingTheMostDangerousGame: The truckis doing this.driver seems to be deliberately hunting other drivers down and killing them, if one takes the "trophies" into account.
* ImplacableMan: The truck driver will not let Mann get away. He repeatedly stops and waits to ambush him if he gets ahead, and even circles back to find Mann on several occasions.
* HuntingTheMostDangerousGame: The truck
* ImplacableMan: The truck driver will not let Mann get away. He repeatedly stops and waits to ambush him if he gets ahead, and even circles back to find Mann on several occasions.
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* KidsAreCruel: Instead of watching hopefully as Mann tries to push the bus to save them, they are making faces at him.
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* KidsAreCruel: Instead of watching hopefully as Mann tries to push the bus to save them, they are making faces at him and verbally mocking him.
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* RuleOfScary: The truck has a large steel girder affixed to the front bumper, perhaps replacing it. In addition to [[MundaneUtility adding force to a ramming attack]], it makes the truck look even more intimidating than it already does.
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* RuleOfScary: The truck has a large steel girder affixed to the front bumper, perhaps replacing it. In addition to [[MundaneUtility adding force to a ramming attack]], it makes the truck look even more intimidating than it already does. It probably wouldn't be allowed in real life.
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* SerialKiller: A careful examination of the truck reveals that the driver has ''done this before'', several times.
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* SerialKiller: A careful examination of the truck reveals suggests that the driver has ''done this before'', several times.
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* AmbiguouslyHuman: The truck driver to an extent, since he seems to show up wherever and wherever Mann is, like he's some kind of supernatural entity of sorts.
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* AmbiguouslyHuman: The truck driver to an extent, since he seems to show up wherever whenever and wherever Mann is, like he's some kind of supernatural entity of sorts.
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* AmbiguouslyHuman: The truck driver to an extent, since he seems to show up wherever and wherever Mann is, like he's some kind of supernatural entity of sorts.
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* SerialKiller: A careful examination of the truck reveals that the driver has ''done this before'', [[FridgeHorror several times]].
** Then again, at the time trucks needed a separate licence plate for each state they operated in. Which only adds to the FridgeHorror.
** Then again, at the time trucks needed a separate licence plate for each state they operated in. Which only adds to the FridgeHorror.
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* SerialKiller: A careful examination of the truck reveals that the driver has ''done this before'', [[FridgeHorror several times]].
** Then again, at the time trucks needed a separate licence plate for each state they operated in. Which only adds to the FridgeHorror.times.
** Then again, at the time trucks needed a separate licence plate for each state they operated in. Which only adds to the FridgeHorror.
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* SpiritualSuccessor: ''Film/RoadGames'' (1981) and (some say) ''Film/JoyRide'' (2001), along with ''Film/PremiumRush'' (2012). Also thought to have inspired the "possessed car" genre of TheSeventies and TheEighties, including works like ''Literature/{{Christine}}'', ''Film/TheCarsThatAteParis'', and ''Film/TheCar''.
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* SpiritualSuccessor: ''Film/RoadGames'' (1981) and (some say) ''Film/JoyRide'' (2001), along with ''Film/{{Breakdown}}'' (1997) and ''Film/PremiumRush'' (2012). Also thought to have inspired the "possessed car" genre of TheSeventies and TheEighties, including works like ''Literature/{{Christine}}'', ''Film/TheCarsThatAteParis'', and ''Film/TheCar''.
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* FunnyBackgroundMoment: Doubles as an EstablishingCharacterMoment, at the start of the movie, you can hear a caller on the radio calling into the show to discuss his census form, his issue being that he is asked whether he is the head of the household, which he isn't, and feels ashamed of having to fill that in on the census. This is mirrored in Mann, who is somewhat of a henpecked husband.
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* FunnyBackgroundMoment: FunnyBackgroundEvent: Doubles as an EstablishingCharacterMoment, at the start of the movie, you can hear a caller on the radio calling into the show to discuss his census form, his issue being that he is asked whether he is the head of the household, which he isn't, and feels ashamed of having to fill that in on the census. This is mirrored in Mann, who is somewhat of a henpecked husband.
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[[caption-width-right:300:Fear is the driving force.]]
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* SinisterCar: The main antagonist of the movie is a truck which is treated almost as a living, sentient entity; the identity of the driver is deliberately obscured.
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* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Mann's phone call to his wife, mirroring the henpecked husband from the radio show.
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* FunnyBackgroundMoment: Doubles as an EstablishingCharacterMoment, at the start of the movie, you can hear a caller on the radio calling into the show to discuss his census form, his issue being that he is asked whether he is the head of the household, which he isn't, and feels ashamed of having to fill that in on the census. This is mirrored in Mann, who is somewhat of a henpecked husband.
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* HenpeckedHusband: Mann, and also the man calling into the show on the radio at the beginning of the movie.
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* CreatorCameo: An unintentional one in the theatrical version - thanks to the change in aspect ratio, Spielberg can be seen directing Dennis Weaver from the car's back seat. (He also appears by mistake in reflection via phone booth, for the same reason.)
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* CreatorCameo: An unintentional one Two, both completely unintentional. You can see director Creator/StevenSpielberg's reflection in the phone booth, and, in the theatrical version - thanks to version, the change in aspect ratio, Spielberg can be seen directing Dennis Weaver from ratio reveals him in the car's back seat. (He also appears by mistake in reflection via phone booth, for seat of the same reason.)car in one shot.
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** In the original TV version, David sees that the man is wearing boots identical to those he saw at the gas station which leads him to incorrectly assume that that's the trucker he's after. He even thinks "Oh yeah, that's him, all right, that's him." This explanation was removed from the theatrical version which makes it seem like he just picked a random guy and hoped he was right.
