Rebellen in Lederjacken

Although following a line of biker movies, stretching back to "The Wild One," "Devil's Angels" feels remarkably contemporary in its tone: anarchists on wheels ride into a town, smashing windows, stealing whatever they want, burning a car, disrespecting legal authority, boasting of their contempt for the bourgeoisie, and vandalizing everything. Their leader, John Cassavetes, is surprisingly reasonable and the beauty of Mimsy Farmer is hereby preserved forever.

Roger Corman's Devil's Angels which was made at the height of the movie-biker craze in 1967 has three qualities which make this "B" film a devilish good time.

Starring the late-great John Cassavetes as motorcycle gang leader Cody. Cassavates was one of the best actors of the 1960s, yet never really became popular with the mainstream movie goer. He brings a complexity to his character. Torn between "doing-your-own-thing" or "selling-out". As his sidekick is the beautiful and lovely Beverly Adams. Ms. Adams is best known for playing Dean Martin's sexy secretary in the Matt Helm series, Lovely Kravezit. Looking earthy, but sexy, she excels in one of his best on-screen roles.

A fine supporting cast is lead by Mimsy Farmer and veteran character actor/writer Leo Gordon. Out-dated today, but for the times it must rate as one of the top 5 biker films of the decade.

Interesting side note, the movie poster for Devil's Angels is one of the best there is.

When things begin to get a little too hot in the city where they live the motorcycle gang known as the Skulls decide to head out on the highway and look for a new place to call their own. This brings them to the small town of Brookville which just happens to be enjoying a carnival on that day. Because they are so rowdy the local lawman, "Sheriff Henderson" (Leo Gordon) tells them to leave town. However, when the leader of the Skulls, "Cody" (John Cassavetes) informs him that they have nowhere to go for the night the sheriff makes a deal where they can sleep out on the nearby beach but have to be gone the next day and that they cannot come back into town. Cody agrees and the motorcycle gang camps out on the beach. Unfortunately, a local girl named "Marianne" (Mimsy Farmer) cannot leave well enough alone and goes out to party with them. However, when things get a little too adventurous for her, she runs back into town in a disheveled state which causes several leading citizens in the town to take matters into their own hands. Now rather than reveal any more of this movie and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that although it starts off rather slow it eventually gains momentum and ends up satisfactorily for the most part. In short, it's not a great motorcycle movie but it wasn't that bad either.

It's Roger Corman's follow-up to his successful The Wild Angels. Cody (John Cassavetes) leads what's left of his motorcycle gang called the Skulls. They are continuously on the run from The Man. Cody recounts the story of Butch Cassidy's hideout, the Hole-in-the-Wall, and vows to find their own secret place.

Cassavetes should get a bit more gruffy to be a biker. He's too clean. I know that he never has facial hair but this role needs some. Maybe he could have a few day's growth. I am surprised with the humor and it's somewhat too broad. I like the rough general tone of this gang but the almost-rape scene does get very creepy. I don't mind going negative on the bikers as long as the movie doesn't keep trying to push the discrimination narrative. Despite the problematic rooting interest, I would like going apocalyptic on the town. If only they actually did it. The budget would have a problem burning down a town.

A quickly made follow-up to AIP'S ''The Wild Angels'', ''Devil's Angels''nevertheless provides solid entertainment, as well as some good acting from a game cast. John Cassavetes stars as the craggy head of a motorcycle gang who decides to lead his fun-loving bunch to a mythical place he calls ''Hole In The Wall''.This Nirvana is supposedly a hide-out he has heard of, where they won't be bothered by the outside world of ''Squares'' and can happily debauch to their heart's content. This group, however, is nowhere near as savage as ''The Wild Angels'', and their idea of fun is taking apart a little country store, stiffing the owner, and setting fire to the camper of a couple unlucky enough to accidentally knock over one of their ''Hogs''. But the story turns ugly when they stop in a small town and are accused of rape by the local yokels. Cassavetes brings a certain likability (and even a sense of honor) to his part, Leo Gordon is his usual proficient self as the local Sheriff, and, as a nice, but reckless girl who chooses to party with the gang, Mimsy Farmer (in the second of three films she made for AIP) is lovely and persuasive. The gang members are mostly convincing as well, though Beverly Adams, sporting a Vidal Sassoon haircut (courtesy of her future husband)and an enormous pair of false eyelashes, simply looks ridiculous as Cassavetes main squeeze. The widescreen photography is great, as is Mike Curb's music score, with many numbers performed by ''Angels'' alumni,Davie Allan And The Arrows. ''Devil's Angels'' has just been officially released on DVD by ''MGM'S Limited Edition'' label, and it's uncut, in widescreen, and looks fine. Previously available only as a full-screen VHS tape, double billed with a forgettable TV-movie, ''Return Of The Rebels'', this DVD is a welcome addition to any ''Biker Film''collection.