Monday, March 20, 2006

Werewolves on Wheels – 1971

     Okay, let’s say this right up front. Newcomer Dark Sky Films rock! This is without a doubt the best this movie has looked since it was projected onto a screen from a 35mm print. I’ve only seen a grainy, scratched up trailer for this movie, so my expectations were low. So imagine my surprise when this transfer is as clean as the new driven snow. The audio is clear, the picture clean and sharp.

A biker gang (complete with Barry McGuire. If you’re too young to know who he is, look up Eve of Destruction in AllMusicGuide) camps out at the base of tower, that apparently is inhabited by monks. Unfortunately, they’re monks of Satan. The satanic ceremony is pretty authentic. They summon one of the biker’s chicks to be the bride of Satan, and she dances naked with a snake. (Now THAT’S Sexploitation!). The gang discovers she is missing, and goes in and beats up all the Satanists. But not before she is cursed. The next night, she bites someone (we’re not supposed to know who, but it’s pretty easy to guess) and he turns into a werewolf and starts killing off the gang.

Pretty standard stuff, right. And if it wasn’t for the fact that the characters are actually interesting, and that it moves right along, and the soundtrack is great, and and and. The fact is that this is a fun little flick, with no delusions about being big and brassy. It’s got everything it should. Gore, nudity, an eyeball sprung from its socket, and blood spraying from neck wounds. What more could you want?

How about this? Subtitles. That’s right, a movie made in 1971 released by a new company, and they subtitled it. And there’s a commentary. Which is light and refreshing because the director and producer aren’t all wrapped up in themselves, and don’t think they created a masterpiece here. Hell, I think the movie is BETTER than they say.

There is an arty shot after the bikes drive into a sand storm that is really affective considering how simple it is. And I like the concept of them having been kinda teleported into the desert by Satan to keep them from returning to the tower. The only real drawback to the whole affair is the final fight sequence is too dark. Not nearly enough light for that motorcycle chase. Guess they should have shot it day for night.

Four beers out of five. Rent it if you see it. (Collectors, run and buy this one. It’s a keeper)