The opening credits to Psychomania (1973) aka The Death Wheelers are such a vibe. Helmeted bikers riding around a Stonehenge-type clearing in the mist while droney psychedelic rock plays. This reaches a level of eerie that the remainder of the movie doesn’t quite reach. Still, that’s not a knock, this is an entertaining 1970s British horror-biker movie hybrid. The people making it thought it might have just been a B-movie filler with a kooky plot – a motorcycle gang coming back from the dead – but it has great elements that make it work. Primarily Nicky Henson as the leader, Tom, of the gang that ride through the countryside, terrorising motorists and pedestrians. Henson has got such smarmy, egotistical energy that he’s magnetic; his character is a rebellious Satan-worshipping son from a wealthy home with a mother who’s a medium (Beryl Reid) that believes in witchcraft and psychic practices, supported by their mysterious butler (George Sanders, in his last role). Then there’s the great costumes – the skull and crossbones helmets and jump suits – and the stunts, with plenty of bikes launched off bridges and so on. Finally, there’s the high concept plot, which revolves around Tom’s wish to go to the other side, to make a deal with Satan and come back to life. The trick to immortality? You’ve just got to believe you’ll come back, that’s all! It’s an entertaining mix of folk horror and delinquent bikie gang shenanigans within a provincial UK setting. Along with the Bat Out Of Hell album cover and the Motorhead Killed By Death music video, this features in the ‘motorcycle flying out of a grave’ pantheon. Great midnight movie that I rented at 10pm through MIFF Play as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival. Directed by Don Sharp with a score by John Cameron. Also stars Mary Larkin as Abby, our heroine in danger, Ann Michelle as Jane, the devilish wannabe leader of the gang, and Robert Hardy as the stiff upper lip cop on the case. (You can also find it on YouTube to stream). Recommended.
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