Dans l'enfer de Monza

MANIACS ON WHEELS sounds like an exploitation gem but sadly turns out to be anything but. Instead this is one of those interminable racing dramas that periodically do the rounds in cinema, Steve McQueen's LE MANS perhaps being the most well-known. This follows the stock format of exceptionally dull character drama and human interaction interspersed with some low quality and highly grainy clips of racing cars in action. Action man Brad Harris stars in a film from Guido Malatesta, who previously made fun peplum cheapies like COLOSSUS AND THE HEADHUNTERS. Believe it or not, this was written by Gianfranco Clerici, who'd go on to scribe CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST!

Racing driver film with Brad Harris and Olga Schoberova

After success in various genres (especially as an ancient muscle man in various sandal films and as a powerful captain in the KOMMISSAR X series), Brad Harris tried making a film about the Formula One racing circuit. In addition to the main role, he also took on the production and co-wrote the script. It was directed by Guido Malatesta, to whom he had his first leading role in "Goliath contro i giganti" (1961).

The result is a film that doesn't have much new to offer, even for Formula One fans. Basically, we experience the intrigues and abysses behind the scenes of a racing team. Tough competition, fast cars and a few pretty girls.

Brad Harris (1933-2017), as racing driver Ken Stark, has a fictional duel with the actual world champion Graham Hill (1929-1975), who is also the father of the later Formula One world champion Damon Hill. After accidents in his own racing team, Stark faces unpleasant competition from the smart Giacomo Agostini, who is not played badly by the 15-time motorcycle world champion Giacomo Valli (born in 1942). The fast boy then steals from the seasoned racing professional Stark his lover Gladys Donovan (Olga Schoberova, still married to Brad Harris in real life), who is actually married to the racing team owner Frank Donovan (Franco Ressel). So loose conditions, but damn complicated!

The good-looking Hans von Borsody (1929-2013), who is also known from the Schlager crime thriller "DAS RÄTSEL DER GRÜNEN SPINNE / The Riddle of the Green Spider" (1960), can be seen in another role as Stark's teammate. By the way, his little daughter is Sabrina Harris Calley, who in real life is the daughter of the dream couple Olga Schoberova and Brad Harris. Family business!

The footage from the Formula One races is nice to look at, but not really spectacular. The story told is not really fully developed. The atmosphere conveyed doesn't do enough to save the film from boring boredom.

At least you could admire Brad Harris as a racing driver and Olga Schoberova as a Formula One fangirl (sometimes with short, sometimes long hair).

Only for fans!