This movie starts off inauspiciously with a "jet setter" party featuring the tackiest collection of faux 60s hipsters ever assembled in one room. The men's costumes are especially hideous, the kind of embarrassingly cheesy duds sported by clueless weekend hippies.
Luckily this scene gives way to a cool atmospheric sequence as the two main characters ditch their creepy threads for biker cuts and zip off down a misty highway on two gorgeous choppers.
Soon the real stars enter the picture - dozens of genuine Hells Angels from seven California chapters riding in a massive slithering serpentine formation. The camera work is outstanding and the sound crew captured the raw thunder of the big bore Harleys, rendering an incredible close-up experience of an outlaw biker run.
The spirit of the Angels is captured in all its maniacal glory when they blast down sidewalks at high speed, play reckless road games, stunt ride and roughhouse.
The pack narrows down to the infamous Oakland chapter in their clubhouse, headed up by Sonny Barger and a dozen of the most legendary Angels of all time, in their prime.
The Angels pull off their acting duties ably and the three main (non-Angel) actors ride and act impressively. Also on board is GD Spradlin, who played the CIA wonk in Apocalypse Now - just as tightly wound here as a Sheriff laying down the law in Sonny's cocky face.
If you're into biker movies this one deserves a place high on your list.
