This is a British film made in 1973 and released in the US in 1974. Now remember this was in the heyday of trashy outlaw biker flicks. The film stars Nicky Henson and Mary Larkin in the lead as Tom and Abby. Tom is the leader of a small town biker gang named “The Living Dead”. Their leather jackets come complete with skull and crossbones above their club name. Remember this is English so this bad ass club that is known for bad behavior and terrorizing the local community; are riding Norton’s. They are also wearing crazy helmets with skull like visors. Aren’t you scared now?
My favorite part is this is a boy girl club because as we all know outlaw biker clubs are loaded with female members! Are you kidding me? The clubs leader has a death wish and makes a pact with the devil for eternal life for him and his followers. All they are required to do is believe that they will come back and of course kill them selves. This is accomplished in a variety of comical ways. Everything from jumping off a freeway bridge into oncoming traffic, to draping themselves with chains and drowning themselves in their underpants. Once they are all dead they can wreak havoc for all eternity on the establishment that shunned them in life.
With club members sporting nicknames like “Hatchet, Chopped Meat, Gash and Hinky” no wonder the poor bastards wanted to die. This is one over the top stupider than stupid plots but strangely it has some great moments. The clothes and hair styles are accurate for the times and who doesn’t love a great Norton motorcycle? Better yet are the riding scenes remember this isn’t computer generated someone actually did the stunts. My hat is off to whoever actually rode the bikes in some of the chase scenes. It was terrific and made you hold your breath. Beyond that it’s a watchable lark. No real substance and no great acting but some great old bikes and a few folks who could ride like hell.
I give this three shots because of the great riding scenes!
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