Hells Angels on Wheels
by Richard Rush
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DVD details
Actor: Adam Roarke, Jack Nicholson, Jana Taylor, Richard Anders, Sabrina ScharfDirector: Richard Rush
Brand: Image Entertainment
Cinematographer: László Kovács
Editor: William Martin
Writer: R. Wright Campbell
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 95 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-12-30
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Image Entertainment
DVD Reviews of Hells Angels on Wheels
DVD Review: Young Jack Nicholson as a Hell's Angel
Summary: 3 Stars
Biker films came into vogue after the 1966 release of the infamous "The Wild Angels;" they remained popular for the next 5-7 years or so. This time in history was the era of the "counter culture," people who rebelled against the status quo of the culture at large (and with good reason). The counter culture was comprised of three basic groups. The two extreme groups were the hippie flower children, who believed in peace, "free love" & drug experimentation and the bikers who were similar except they believed in brawling and had shorter hair, not to mention their drug of choice was alcohol. The third group was comprised of everyone inbetween.
"Hell's Angels on Wheels" was released in 1967, one year after "The Wild Angels," and it's a pretty decent biker flick. You'll see some clips of famed Angel Sonny Barger near the beginning of the film; Barger also assisted as the technical advisor.
THE STORY: Jack Nickolson loses his job as a gas station attendant and hooks up with the Hell's Angels as "Poet." The bikers ride, revel and brawl throughout the story while Poet takes an interest in the leader's girlfriend (Adam Roarke and Sabrina Scharf respectively).
"The Wild Angels" [aka "All the Fallen Angels"] is a cult masterpiece for numerous reasons despite its obvious shortcomings: It takes the subject of outcast bikers seriously, it's truly shocking, its story is refreshingly original and it tackles real-life issues that every viewer can relate to, specifically the nature of grief and how different people respond in different ways [see my review for details]. Although "Hell's Angels on Wheels" is good for what it is -- a late 60s low-budget biker flick -- it fails to even come close to the greatness of "The Wild Angels." It's slightly more goofy, not at all shocking and has little depth.
Yet, it's worthwhile for numerous reasons: It's great to see Jack Nicholson when he was so young, there are numerous beautiful 60's babes and the California photography is exceptional, in particular in the last 30 minutes of its 95 minute runtime, not to mention all the bikes.
However, throughout the almost pointless story various questions kept coming to mind:
-- How do the bikers get money to support their lifestyle of continuous riding, revelry and "free love"? (work is never mentioned as it is in "The Wild Angels")
-- In light of the numerous brawls (with fists, chains, clubs, etc.) why do none of the bikers ever show any injuries, bruises, etc.?
-- If the bikers "party" this much this often, what are they gonna look like (and feel like) when they're 35? 40? 45? 50?
-- If these guys don't actually work, have very little money and don't take baths, why are these gorgeous babes riding with 'em?
-- The leader's supposed girlfriend is shown to be a very loose woman who believes in "free love," getting it on with any dude as the whim strikes her. She also shows a loyalty to the leader, which I fail to understand in light of his infidelities. So why is Poet so fascinated with her to the point of wanting to marry her? Is he nuts? Marrying such a woman would last about a week, or less.
Some complain about the quick ending, but it would have worked if they had worked out the kinks in the death scene. I don't want to say anymore because I don't wanna give anything away.
PERSONAL GRADE: Borderline C+ or B-
Description of Hells Angels on Wheels
When he loses his job, gas station attendant Poet (Academy Award-winner Jack Nicholson) falls in with a rough band of Hells Angels who terrorize Northern California in a hellraising frenzy of parties and gang fights. Choppers, drugs, sex, murder and mayhem ensue as Poet and gang leader Buddy (Adam Roarke) head down a dark road to danger. From acclaimed cult director Richard Rush (The Stunt Man) with cinematography by the legendary László Kovács (Easy Rider, Paper Moon) and music by Stu Phillips (Battlestar Gallactica, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls).Bestsellers in DVD
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