Deadhead Miles

Deadhead Miles

Year: 1972

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Vernon Zimmerman

Comedy

A long‑distance trucker, garbed like a sea captain, roams the American highways in his 18‑wheel rig, muttering manic, Southern‑accented non sequiturs. He drifts through carnival‑like roadside stops and random towns, baffling police and weigh stations with the help of his mysterious, over‑coated hitchhiker companion, offering a heavy, reflective view of life from the cab’s window.

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Timeline & Setting – Deadhead Miles (1972)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Deadhead Miles (1972). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Interstate 40 corridor, truck stops, diners, racetracks

The action unfolds along the Interstate 40 corridor, moving through truck stops, diners, and rural outposts. The setting highlights the rough, nomadic world of independent trucking and the constant motion of a life lived on the road. These locations serve as a backdrop for cunning schemes, police encounters, and the improvisational rhythm of the journey.

🛣️ Road 🚚 Trucking 🍽️ Diner Life 🏁 Roadside Chaos

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:17

Main Characters – Deadhead Miles (1972)

Meet the key characters of Deadhead Miles (1972), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cooper (Alan Arkin)

A restless, calculating hustler who shifts from theft to independent trucking. He improvises under pressure, bending the rules and manipulating situations to chase money and autonomy. His cool, strategic mind clashes with unpredictable partners, highlighting a moral gray area on the road.

🚚 Antihero 🧠 Calculated 🏁 Roadbound

Durazno (Oliver Clark)

Cooper’s volatile partner in crime, keen to seize opportunities on the move. He jumps into schemes, packs the truck with improvised cargo, and rides the highs of quick profits. The partnership frays as Cooper abandons him at a gas station, revealing a ruthless streak.

🚚 Partner 🧭 Impulsive 🏁 Roadbound

Hitchhiker (Paul Benedict)

A restless traveler who becomes a disruptive ally in the theft scheme. He courts quick gains, pressures Cooper, and pushes for sharing the loot, leading to escalating conflict and danger on the road.

🚗 Opportunist 🧭 Taker 🏁 Roadside

Duke (Héctor Elizondo)

A legendary figure among truckers known as the Duke of Interstate 40. He is confrontational and authoritative, irritating Cooper and representing the dangerous power dynamics on the highway. He embodies the competitive and intimidating side of road life.

🏁 Rival 🗺️ Highway Legend 🚦 Authority

Johnny Mesquitero (Bruce Bennett)

A skilled mechanic who appears to offer practical guidance and fixes for the truck. He provides crucial advice, including mechanical tweaks to prevent a jackknife. His later revelation that he died years earlier adds a surreal, almost eerie dimension to the road lore.

🧰 Mechanic 🧭 Guide 👻 Mystery

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:17

Major Themes – Deadhead Miles (1972)

Explore the central themes of Deadhead Miles (1972), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🚚 Criminal Hustle

A road-bound heist and a drive to earn money through illicit means propel the narrative. Cooper and Durazno steal a truck, repurpose it, and navigate a web of weigh stations, police checks, and shady deals. The film probes moral gray areas, showing how survival and money-making ambitions override conventional legality.

⏳ Time Pressure

Long hours on the road, sleep deprivation, and constant delays shape the characters' choices. Benzedrine helps Cooper stay awake, while mechanical failures and police stops push him toward desperate decisions. The open highway becomes a ticking clock, testing endurance and nerve.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:17

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Deadhead Miles Summary

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Deadhead Miles Summary

Deadhead Miles Timeline

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Deadhead Miles Timeline

More About Deadhead Miles

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