Motorpsycho

MOTORPSYCHO was made in 1965, the same year FASTER PUSSYCAT KILL KILL was made. MOTORPSYCHO was made first and it's basically the male version of FASTER PUSSYCAT: three bad guys roaming the desert and looking for kicks. There are several plot points that are even identical between the two movies. But today, MOTORPSYCHO has been totally eclipsed by FASTER PUSSYCAT or BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS. It's ironic because MOTORPSYCHO was a bigger hit than FASTER PUSSYCAT, the latter having flopped on its initial release. FASTER PUSSYCAT is now a bona fine cult hit while MOTORPSYCHO toils in near obscurity. And it's unfortunate because it's one of the grittiest Film Noir I've ever seen. It's a true pulp novel come to life. It's a combo of Orson Welles' A TOUCH OF EVIL and a countless Film Noir from the 1940s. But unlike TOUCH OF EVIL or the older Film Noir films, MOTORPSYCHO doesn't shy away from the violence or the "thrilling" aspects of the story.

Some might say the subject matter of rape is too serious to be used in a so-called exploitation film but Meyer handles it pretty well. It's still unpleasant at times (when the guys forces the wife to dance with them) but

the film never crosses the line. In fact, MOTORPSYCHO is a rare breed of movie: it depicts the actual disturbing subject and even exploits it (close-up of women's bodies) but doesn't go overboard with it as it never stray away from its story. The film keeps interest with its characters and situations until the very end. It's never overshadowed by its sensationalistic aspects. This is because some of the acting is pretty good and the stunning use of B&W photography (excellent composition from Russ Meyer himself) and the overall grittiness of the story. It's a pretty darn good feat for an exploitation film.

The acting from everyone is surprisingly good. Alex Rocco is excellent and believable. The bad guys are never over-the-top. The woman who played Rocco' wife, the beautiful Holle K Winters, is also excellent and believable. Her scenes when she's harassed by the three men feel authentic and are difficult to watch. Strangely enough, this was Holle's only movie. And then there's Haji. Haji is THE ultimate Femme Fatale ever put on screen. You can't help being attracted to her and know she's nothing but trouble. She's like a babe on the cover of a pulp novel come to life.

I prefer MOTORPSYCHO over FASTER PUSSYCAT, which is also a remarkably well made actioner but it's more campy and at times too over-the-top to be taken seriously, or BTVOTD, which is just plain stupid. MOTORPSYCHO has just the right amount of violence, grittiness and believability to make it feel like a great if overlooked Film Noir.

Motor Psycho wasn't exactly the Russ Meyer film I was hoping to see. Not that it's a bad movie – far from it – but it lacks the eccentric character of his other work. Motor Psycho is a raw drama about delicate topics such as rape, murder and revenge. The plot involves a battle between vets! A veterinarian's wife is raped by 3 relentless bikers (one of them being a Vietnam-veteran) and he goes after them, accompanied by a busty lady who has been widowed by the same gang. Normally, Meyer's films are a feast for all senses…there's always something extravagant to discover or admire. Compared to that, Motor Psycho is pretty lame and it merely depends on two ultra-strong sequences and a delightful breast-parade (even though all female flesh remains covered). The sequence in which protagonist Alex Rocco forces his female companion to suck a snake's poison out of his leg is brilliant and so is the grotesque finale in which the main villain (Stephen Olivier) revives his Vietnam trauma's. I'd recommend the film for those parts alone! If you're a fan of the director's personal style, I advise you to check this film out…It won't take much of your time anyway, since the film only last a good 70 minutes.

By the standards of Russ Meyer 'Motorpsycho' is pretty conventional B-movie thriller. With enough big boobs of course. The film explores same themes of sex and violence as Meyer's seminal 'Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!'. In this case, the terrorizing violent group is all male motorcycle gang led by disturbed Vietnam War veteran (Stephen Oliver). Alex Rocco makes his film debut as veterinarian whose wife falls victim of the gang's vicious atrocities. A badass animal doctor engages the pursuit to chase down the gang. Driving through desert he meets a wounded woman Ruby (Haji) whose husband has been murdered by the same thugs. Together they start the road to justice, or is it just blind vengeance.

'Motorpsycho' is probably me second favorite film of Russ Meyer (after 'Pussycat'). Although his first real narrative film was 'Lorna' (1964) followed by 'Mudhoney', it was 'Motorpsycho' with Russ Meyer proved he can direct more straightforward film with more serious in tone and without unnecessary nudity and stereotypes. The film is also important as it was one of the first that depicted Vietnam War veteran suffering PTSD.

In some ways 'Motor Psycho' is almost like Russ Meyer's dummy run for his trash classic 'Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!', featuring three men on a rampage instead of three women, but this is a much darker and more serious movie than we generally expect from him. There is the wonderful Haji and a few buxom women on screen, but no outrageous sexual humour or camp touches. 'Motor Psycho' plays it fairly straight. The budget is non-existent, but the acting is pretty good, and despite Brahmin and pals not strictly being bikers you can see 'The Wild Angels' on the horizon, and maybe even 'The Last House On The Left'. Stephen Oliver plays disturbed Vietnam vet Brahmin who terrorizes several women in a desert community. Alex Rocco ('The Godfather', 'The Stunt Man') plays the local vet Cory Maddox, and after his wife Gail (Holle K. Winters) is raped and beaten by Brahmin and his sidekicks he vows revenge. While tracking the thugs down he meets Ruby Bonner (Haji) whose husband was recently murdered by them and they help each other when they get stranded in the desert. 'Motor Psycho' is a very gritty movie for the time, and surprisingly effective. A very good b-grade movie that deserves some more attention. Check it out.

Motor Psycho is pretty much your typical Russ Meyer film, and features all of his trademarks. We've got busty women, unlikely characters and over the top violence; and it's all filmed in stylish black and white. The film is a lot like the slightly earlier masterpiece 'Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!' in style and execution, although Motor Psycho doesn't feel as extravagant as that film. The running time is only just over seventy minutes, so the film also feels a little underdeveloped. The plot is rather simple and focuses on a gang of motorcyclists who see fit to rape and torture various women. However, they bite off more than they can chew when they rape a veterinarian's wife, and he decides to pursue them, along with a woman whose husband was also killed by the gang. Naturally, this film is extremely entertaining, although it doesn't have a great deal of credibility. There are some really good scenes in the film, but unfortunately; there are also some 'not so good' ones, which bring the whole piece down. Still, this is a more than decent way to spend your time, and if you like Russ Meyer; I'm sure you won't have a problem with this.