Review of The Cycle Savages

Bruce Dern is at his psychotic best as Keeg, leader of a biker gang and a white slave trader to boot. He realizes that a newcomer to his neighbourhood, an artist named Romko (Chris Robinson) has been sketching them, and he doesn't like this, so he plans on doing some serious damage to the mans' hands. Meanwhile, Romko is falling in love with local gal Lea (Melody Patterson of 'F Troop' and the trash flick "Blood and Lace"), who feels much guilt about the part she plays in Keegs' schemes. The most interesting thing of all when it comes to "The Cycle Savages" is the fact that it was executive produced by record executive (and later lieutenant governor of California) Mike Curb and legendary D.J. Casey Kasem (who also plays a small role). The movie is written and directed by Bill Brame, and is rather crudely and awkwardly done in its fight scenes. It does have one extremely tasteless scene that kicks up the sleaze factor a notch and which will make it worth watching for trash film fans. The lovely Patterson does a nude scene, which is a nice bonus, but ultimately it's too tastefully done to really satisfy some viewers. Otherwise, it's fairly grim, gritty stuff, but does not stand apart from any other biker film of the era. It's mostly watchable because of Derns' marvellously scuzzy performance; Robinson is much too stiff, but Patterson is quite appealing, and there's more eye candy in the form of Karen Ciral as the naive Janie, who has to suffer some pretty awful treatment from Keeg and gang. Maray Ayres is good as pathetic biker mama Sandy, and veterans Scott Brady and Steve Brodie make uncredited appearances as vice detectives. You're not likely to remember this film for long after it's over, but it's passable enough stuff that kills 82 minutes fairly well. Even at 82 minutes, one can feel the padding on this thing, but all in all die hard fans of the Bikesploitation genre may get a kick out of it. Six out of 10.