Skinheads

In this lame thriller, a group of half-wit skinheads kill four people at a diner then chase a deeply uncharismatic couple into a forest. It's all really quite amateurish. The skinheads could be OK villains if only they weren't so moronic and the plight of the heroes would be a lot better if only they were in the least bit interesting. But alas, no. What we end up with is an extended and somewhat tedious pursuit through a forest. There are a couple of cameos courtesy of an old grizzled woodsman and an extremely tame grizzly bear. It's not really all that entertaining but sadly I have seen much worse.

The soundtrack is provided by someone called Elvis Hitler and given the neo-nazi subject matter here, I sincerely hope that this is an ironic name. But in a film where the supposed most stupid member of the skinhead gang, 'Brains', is clearly only the second most stupid, anything is possible.

Please forgive my summary note, as to be honest, ever since my teenage years, my time has been spent watching movies not necessarily of this genre, but in the way they were made. The director Greydon Clarke, whose catalogue of films have never been blockbusters, have always contained ideas far beyond the box office buck.

Movies that come to mind "Joysticks" (A Comedy) "The Warning" (A horror) Clarke was never one to shy away from the topics favoured by the audience of today or even yesterday, as Clarke learned his craft from the grand Master Himself "Al Adamson" (If you Haven't seen it, check out "Cinderella 2000")

Anyway, sidetracking aside, does Skinheads have anything to offer, to the undemanding film fan, there in lies the hook. Yes this film arrived here first long before "Romper Stomper" or even "Pariah" The Acting isn't isn't bad, the likes of Brian Brophy, Gene Mitchell and Frank Noon are no shots in the dark, however as is the case with film's of this nature, and please take into account, that no film with such subject matter would ever see the break of dawn if it were not for the participation of (Apologies) has been stars, or more politely put stars of yesterday, Chuck Connors or Barbara Bain.

Film Directors like Al Adamson or even Fred Olen Ray have always used this ploy to sell their movies, the storyline might be weak but as long as you have a headliner, or someone whom the budget could afford why not sell that movie for all it's worth.

Storyline wise, does a storyline exist, yes of course it does, but a film with a limited budget, cannot really propel true depth into character or story if the money is not there, yes i know this not an epic retelling of the Greatest Story Ever Told, but like i've always said, admiration must always go towards the man or woman who ever gets the chance to make that movie, no matter if that movie less depth than a bucket of S.H.I.T!

However lets be honest, admirers of bad movies everywhere should rejoice, as bad as it is, sit back with a six pack and enjoy, as i have when i tried to write this review. As a footnote may i recommend the movie "Flipping" directed by Gene Mitchell, whom i'm sure gleaned some inspiration for his movie making debut.

4 out of 10

I purchased this at a VHS sale in the video store for .99 cents and it was worth it. This movie cannot be liked on merits of good acting , scrip , and direction..it is indeed a terrible film , but hey I like bad films as long as they're funny and entertaining which is what Skinheads:The Second Coming Of Hate is. So it turns out some "skinheads" decided to go on a killing spree at a diner , and soon follows a long chase through the woods til good ole Chuck Conners of Roots fame comes to the rescue in a bravo hammy performance. Speaking of over the top performances..the golden ham award goes to Brian Bophy's who's insane performance will have pretty much anyone rolling on the floor laughing. This isn't your Romper Stomper or American History X type movie , this is basically just "lets put people in danger..ooh let's have skinheads go after them" obviously a lifestyle the writer and director knows nothing about..so therefor this movie is surely going to offend the anti-rascist SHARP skinheads..and even the neo nazi skinheads because it puts them in such a moronic light (which by the way they are anyway so i guess justice was done). See it if you like bad movies

Chuck at his best. This is one of "The Rifleman's" last films. He plays a good guy who helps some kids being chased by skinheads. Chuck is by far the most believable character in this less than good film. It would be terrible if it didn't have Mr. Connors acting.

A must see for any Chuck Connors fan.

While it may be a stretch to call Skinheads: The Second Coming of Hate the greatest American film of all time, it's much of one. This film tackles the troubling questions that Neonazism posed to our culture in the late 1980s in an unblinking fashion that throws fear completely aside. Unlike later films that dealt had skinhead-related subject matters such as American History X, Skinheads: The Second Coming of Hate does not try to preach to its audience. It simply portrays Skinheads as the ruthless Hitler-loving killers they are. Skinheads: The Second Coming of Hate also features what is probably Chuck Connors' finest performance. Connors was an American treasure and without a doubt the greatest film actor this nation has ever produced. To say that this film contains his finest performance is to say that this film contains what may very well be the greatest acting tour de force ever caught upon film. It is a modern tragedy that Skinheads: The Second Coming of Hate is rarely, if ever, mentioned as one of the great films of the 1980s let alone one of the great American films of all times.