Initially released in August 1977 and first aired in prime time on CBS in November 1979, Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown has finally made it to DVD. Third in a series of films based on the iconic Peanuts comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz, Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown found the gang going off on a camping trip. While not as charming as the holiday classics It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and A Charlie Brown Christmas, Run for Your Life introduced a welcomed element of rivalry into the gang, while maintaining the sense of fun fans have come to expect.
As the story begins, the entire gang is heading of for some summer fun at Camp Remote. Left behind, Charlie Brown (voiced by Duncan Watson) gets a ride with Snoopy and Woodstock (Bill Melendez) on Snoopy’s motorcycle. Once Charlie Brown finally arrives, Lucy (Melanie Kohn), Linus (Liam Martin), Peppermint Patty (Laura Planting), Marcie (Jimmy Ahrens), Schroeder (Greg Felton), Franklin (Tom Muller) and Sally (Gail Davis) find themselves subjected to a rigid schedule of activities. The camp is run by several bullies (including a prickly orange cat who quickly puts Snoopy in his place) who run the camp like a boot camp.
Adults are nowhere to be heard—the famous trombone that stands in for adults speaking is MIA—as camp unfolds. The bullies cheat in a potato sack race, and constantly boast of having won the camp raft race every year they’ve entered. In a little bit of poetic justice, the only thing that keeps the bullies at bay, is Linus’ ability to use his blanket like a whip!
For the raft race, the Peanuts separate into three groups: boys (Charlie Brown, Linus, Schroeder and Franklin), girls (Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Lucy and Sally), and Snoopy and Woodstock. Naturally, the gang runs into all kinds of trouble. First, they enter an area of scheduled blasting. Then, they find themselves in the middle of a sudden, severe storm. That’s just the beginning, as the bullies do all sorts of things in an attempt to sabotage the Peanuts. The winner is rather unexpected, yet appropriate. Nonetheless, the fun of Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown lies in the antics that go on as the kids race for the finish line.
Widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions, Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown looks pretty sharp for a program that’s nearly forty years old. Colors are surprisingly vivid, and grain is minimal. The artwork isn’t particularly sophisticated, on par with the comics. Detail is fine.
The English Mono Dolby Digital soundtrack does the job. Background noise is clear, but never overpowers the dialogue. There are no hisses, pops, or other damage to report.
English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles are included.
A Theatrical Trailer is available.
