Firebird 2015 A.D.

Firebird 2015 A.D.

Year: 1981

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Director: David M. Robertson

ActionRomance

In a near‑future United States, the government bans gasoline for civilian vehicles in a desperate bid to preserve dwindling natural resources, reserving fuel only for official use. A network of renegade drivers rebels against the restriction, risking severe penalties to keep the freedom of cruising the countryside and defy the authoritarian policy. Their struggle highlights the clash between state control and personal liberty.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Firebird 2015 A.D. (1981)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Firebird 2015 A.D. (1981). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2015 AD

The story is set in the year 2015 in a near-future United States. The government outlaws civilian use of gasoline and cars, with Burners hunted by the DVC. Dialogue later suggests gasoline is not actually scarce, highlighting the political nature of the restriction.

Location

Desert (American Southwest), barn, DVC campsite, roadside routes

Most of the action unfolds in a near-future American Southwest desert and along desolate roads. Key locations include Red's desert drives, a ramshackle barn where Jill and Cameron interact, and a DVC campsite where enforcement confrontations take place. The barren settings underscore the film's themes of speed, rebellion, and survival against strict controls.

🌵 Desert 🗺️ DVC campsite 🏚 Barn 🛣 Roadside routes

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:45

Main Characters – Firebird 2015 A.D. (1981)

Meet the key characters of Firebird 2015 A.D. (1981), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Red (Darren McGavin)

A middle-aged Burner who drives a 1980 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am. He tries to spark his son Cameron's interest in cars and leads raids against the DVC while remaining protective of his family.

🚗 Car Lover 👨‍👦 Father 🛡️ Rebel

Dolan (Alex Diakun)

A quiet sociopath on McVain's team who demonstrates cold brutality, including killing a Burner with a grenade launcher.

🗡️ Enforcer 🧊 Cold-blooded 🧭 Calculating

McVain (Doug McClure)

Leader of the DVC, whose ruthless enforcement of the car ban shows the extent of authoritative power.

⚔️ Authority 💥 Brutality 🧭 Calculating

Shana (Barbara Williams)

A member of McVain's team who is appalled by the violence and ultimately helps Jill escape, showing moral complexity within the enforcers.

💡 Moral Conflict 🕊️ Ally 🧭 Observant

Jill (Mary Beth Rubens)

Indy's daughter who forms a bond with Cameron, later captured during the raid and then freed; she begins to assert her own agency.

💃 Romantic Tension 💔 Catalyst 🗝️ Escape

Cameron (Robert Wisden)

Red's teenage son who is not initially a car enthusiast, but becomes drawn into the world of burners and romance with Jill.

👦 Teen 🚗 Curious 🌟 Protagonist's Vulnerability

Indy (George Touliatos)

Another Burner and friend of Red, who drives a Plymouth Barracuda and participates in the desert races and raids.

🚗 Car Buddy 🏁 Racer 🤝 Ally

Senator Curtis (Tony Sharpe)

The senator the Burners intend to chauffeur to a conference to potentially legalize civilian car use again.

🏛️ Politician 🎯 Objective 🧭 Political power

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:45

Major Themes – Firebird 2015 A.D. (1981)

Explore the central themes of Firebird 2015 A.D. (1981), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛡️ Resistance

Mobility becomes a core battleground as civilians resist a nationwide car ban. Red and the Burners embody a quiet insurgency against DVC control. Shana's disapproval of McVain's brutality highlights the ethical cost of rebellion. The pursuit of freedom through speed and risk sits at the heart of the film.

🚗 Automobility

Cars symbolize identity, memory, and escape for the Burner community. Red's 1980 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am stands as a symbol of defiance and nostalgia. Races in the desert and plans to chauffeur a senator frame the car as a political instrument. The obsession with car culture shows how mobility becomes a form of resistance.

👨‍👦 Family Bond

Red's relationship with his son Cameron anchors the story. Red tries to share the thrill of driving with Cameron as a way to connect. Cameron's attitude shifts between skepticism and curiosity about rebellion. The road adventures test and strengthen their bond under danger.

⚖️ Oppression

The DVC's tactics reveal a system where law enforcement enforces control through brutality. McVain embodies the corrupt edge of power, clashing with moments of moral conflict (Shana). Jill's assault and rescue illustrate the human cost of authoritarian rule. The senator's planned trip exposes how politics can be used to legitimize control.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:45

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Dystopian Rebellion Thrillers like Firebird 2015 A.D.

Fast-paced action stories of characters fighting for freedom in a broken world.If you enjoyed the high-speed rebellion of Firebird 2015 A.D., you'll like these movies. This collection features similar dystopian action films where characters fight for freedom against oppressive regimes, filled with tense chases and a hopeful, defiant spirit.

rebellioustensethrillinghopefuldangerousfast-paceddefiant

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern centers on a clear, straightforward conflict between freedom fighters and an oppressive authority. Stories typically follow a linear path of escalating rebellion, from initial defiance to a climactic confrontation, often culminating in a victorious, hopeful ending for the protagonists.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared core experience: a tense, fast-paced vibe driven by the theme of rebellion. They combine high-intensity action with a clear moral struggle, creating a consistently thrilling and hopeful narrative arc against a dystopian backdrop.

Road Rebellion Adventure movies similar to Firebird 2015 A.D.

Stories where the freedom to travel becomes a dangerous act of defiance.For viewers who liked the car-centric rebellion in Firebird 2015 A.D., this list finds similar movies where the open road is a battleground. These stories blend action, a sense of melancholy for a lost way of life, and thrilling vehicular chases in defense of personal freedom.

rebelliousmelancholicthrillingdangerouson-the-runautomotivegritty

Narrative Summary

The narrative often involves a journey or a series of chases where vehicles are both home and weapon. Characters are defined by their connection to driving and the road, fighting against forces that seek to confine or control them, leading to a cathartic, high-speed climax.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific mood mix: the thrill of vehicular action combined with a melancholic underpinning of fighting for a fading freedom. The connection to cars and the road as a central narrative element creates a cohesive and unique adventurous vibe.

Unlock the Full Story of Firebird 2015 A.D.

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Firebird 2015 A.D. Summary

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Firebird 2015 A.D. Summary

Firebird 2015 A.D. Timeline

Track the full timeline of Firebird 2015 A.D. with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Firebird 2015 A.D. Timeline

Firebird 2015 A.D. Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Firebird 2015 A.D. that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Firebird 2015 A.D. Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Firebird 2015 A.D.

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