Electra Glide in Blue is a Palme D'Or nominated film and the only one directed by James William Guercio who used to be the manager of the rock group Chicago.
Several band members have small appearances in this film and the band's then lead singer provides a memorable song in the end credits after a fatalistic conclusion. (The song was reused for the final episode of the television series, Miami Vice.)
Recent accounts suggests that the filming was chaotic due to Guercio's inexperience. A lot of work was done by Cinematographer Conrad Hall and star Robert Blake.
From the long opening shot you can see that this film benefits from Hall's cinematography who makes good use of the location in Monument Valley in Arizona.
Robert Blake delivers a wry, offbeat performance as John Wintergreen the diminutive by the book motorcycle cop who wants to be a detective. When he comes across a homicide which others first think is a suicide he gets his chance to partner with a more experienced detective. His enthusiasm soon changes when he realises that the detective is not all who he seems to be and prepared to fit up a hippie for the crime.
The film has been viewed as the establishment's response to Easy Rider. That is an incorrect view in my opinion.
Wintergreen is an affable, honest guy who tries to see the good in people and the film highlights issues on both sides. The counterculture and the cops. Here the cops are not seen as squeaky clean and film portrays cops in a rather sceptical light.
The film is more of a character study than a crime thriller. The plot after a promising set up then meanders. We even end up in a music concert at one point and I never really understood who really killed the victim and why.
This is Blake's film, he plays Wintergreen in a low key way and brings out a lot of humour. Such as dancing with his cowboy hat, stetson but no pants or chatting up ladies who are much taller than him by likening himself to Alan Ladd.
The Electra Glide is a motorcycle from Harley Davidson. There is a wild and violent chase scene when the cops go after a bunch of motorcyclists.
Electra Glide in Blue is an uneven film that has acquired a cult reputation. It is a lot better than the vastly overrated Easy Rider.
Several band members have small appearances in this film and the band's then lead singer provides a memorable song in the end credits after a fatalistic conclusion. (The song was reused for the final episode of the television series, Miami Vice.)
Recent accounts suggests that the filming was chaotic due to Guercio's inexperience. A lot of work was done by Cinematographer Conrad Hall and star Robert Blake.
From the long opening shot you can see that this film benefits from Hall's cinematography who makes good use of the location in Monument Valley in Arizona.
Robert Blake delivers a wry, offbeat performance as John Wintergreen the diminutive by the book motorcycle cop who wants to be a detective. When he comes across a homicide which others first think is a suicide he gets his chance to partner with a more experienced detective. His enthusiasm soon changes when he realises that the detective is not all who he seems to be and prepared to fit up a hippie for the crime.
The film has been viewed as the establishment's response to Easy Rider. That is an incorrect view in my opinion.
Wintergreen is an affable, honest guy who tries to see the good in people and the film highlights issues on both sides. The counterculture and the cops. Here the cops are not seen as squeaky clean and film portrays cops in a rather sceptical light.
The film is more of a character study than a crime thriller. The plot after a promising set up then meanders. We even end up in a music concert at one point and I never really understood who really killed the victim and why.
This is Blake's film, he plays Wintergreen in a low key way and brings out a lot of humour. Such as dancing with his cowboy hat, stetson but no pants or chatting up ladies who are much taller than him by likening himself to Alan Ladd.
The Electra Glide is a motorcycle from Harley Davidson. There is a wild and violent chase scene when the cops go after a bunch of motorcyclists.
Electra Glide in Blue is an uneven film that has acquired a cult reputation. It is a lot better than the vastly overrated Easy Rider.