In many ways, THE PACE THAT THRILLS looks like an hour-long commercial for the motorcycle industry. This is especially true during the segment that is set at a weekend cycle meet--where lots of fresh faced and wholesome young Americans cavort about on their bikes. This film is quite a contrast to WILD ONE--the biker gang movie that came out a year later.
The plot involves two men, Dusty and Chris, as well as they lady (Eve) they inexplicably love. The film begins with Dusty winning a motorcycle dirt track race by playing fast and loose with sportsmanship--including kicking another rider off his bike. Eve is a reporter and her subsequent article berates Dusty for his wicked ways. Naturally, given that this film is chock full of clichés, you know that eventually this petulant 'dame' and Dusty will eventually fall in love. However, in the meantime, she runs to the arms of Chris--who, naturally, is Dusty's childhood friend. And, as a result, the two men are naturally at each other's throats...naturally.
Now despite practically every racing cliché known to mankind being shoved into the film (and then some), the movie is actually decent and worth seeing. Part of it is because it's only 63 minutes long, so it's hard to get bored watching it--even though it's very predictable. In addition, the race scenes were especially well done. Despite being a low-budget film, the drivers looked like they were actually racing--none of the typical poorly done rear-projected scene where the drivers are obviously on a sound stage. I am sure some of the scenes were done this way, but you sure couldn't tell. Now I am NOT telling you to rush out to see it--the film is more of a decent time-passer. However, if you are into motorcycles, then this film will no doubt seem like a nice heap of nostalgia.
The plot involves two men, Dusty and Chris, as well as they lady (Eve) they inexplicably love. The film begins with Dusty winning a motorcycle dirt track race by playing fast and loose with sportsmanship--including kicking another rider off his bike. Eve is a reporter and her subsequent article berates Dusty for his wicked ways. Naturally, given that this film is chock full of clichés, you know that eventually this petulant 'dame' and Dusty will eventually fall in love. However, in the meantime, she runs to the arms of Chris--who, naturally, is Dusty's childhood friend. And, as a result, the two men are naturally at each other's throats...naturally.
Now despite practically every racing cliché known to mankind being shoved into the film (and then some), the movie is actually decent and worth seeing. Part of it is because it's only 63 minutes long, so it's hard to get bored watching it--even though it's very predictable. In addition, the race scenes were especially well done. Despite being a low-budget film, the drivers looked like they were actually racing--none of the typical poorly done rear-projected scene where the drivers are obviously on a sound stage. I am sure some of the scenes were done this way, but you sure couldn't tell. Now I am NOT telling you to rush out to see it--the film is more of a decent time-passer. However, if you are into motorcycles, then this film will no doubt seem like a nice heap of nostalgia.