Such a frustrating disappointment

Redundant and unnecessary.

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

The acting in this movie is really good.

"Keeg" (Bruce Dern) is the psychotic leader of a motorcycle gang which pretty much does whatever it wants due to the fact that the people in a certain community are terrified to testify against them. This is especially true for a beautiful woman named "Lea" (Melody Patterson) who would love to tell the police everything she knows. Unfortunately, her sister happens to be in a prostitution ring run by Keeg's older brother and is deathly afraid for what might happen to her. So like everybody else she remains silent. Then one day Keeg catches a glimpse of a young man by the name of "Romko" (Chris Robinson) who spends his time sketching everything he sees—and that includes some of the activities of the motorcycle gang. This infuriates Keeg who roughs up Romko and destroys all of the sketches involving him and his gang. However, Keeg soon becomes obsessed with the idea that Romko might begin drawing more sketches and because of that begins to make plans to prevent that from happening. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this turned out to be a rather dramatic biker movie due in large part to the performance of Bruce Dern. Likewise the scene involving the brutal gang-rape of the attractive blonde by the name of "Janie" (Karen Cirol) was also quite shocking and intense as well. Be that as it may, I thought that this was one of the more explicit and realistic biker movies out there and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Released in 1969, "The Cycle Savages" starts off like it might be a decent cheap biker flick in the manner of, say, "Angel Unchained" (1970). The opening credits sequence is effective and the pre-heavy metal rock theme is simple, but enjoyable, particularly the energetic percussion. On top of this, Bruce Dern is effective as Keeg, the ee-vil leader of Hell's Chosen Few, Chris Robinson is solid as the courageous protagonist and there are a few quality gals -- Dern's brunette babe, Sandy (Maray Ayres), and two blonds, Lea and Janie (Melody Patterson and Karen Ciral). It's also cool to check out the late 60's California locations.Unfortunately these are the only good things I can say about this flick. The plot is really really DUMB; like it was conjured up by a 12 year-old. It involves Keeg getting upset over a sketch artist for making drawings of his gang in wild revelry. Apparently, Keeg believes the sketches can be used to convict him and his gang (Why sure!). The dialogue and acting are just as bad. At one point they put the artist's hands in a vice, threatening to crush them, but it's clear that he can remove his hands at any time.BOTTOM LINE: I can't tell you how awful this "film" is. At least a cheapo biker flick like "The Tormentors" is entertaining and has a semi-interesting story, but "The Cycle Savages" can't even do that. It's only worthwhile for a few good-looking late 60's "chicks" and as a period-piece oddity.The film runs 85 minutes.GRADE: D- PS: If you want to see a great late 60's/early 70's biker flick, catch the very first one, the infamous "The Wild Angels" from 1966 starring Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern, Nancey Sinatra and Diane Ladd. "The Wild Angels" is simultaneously shocking and profoundly brilliant (yes, even though it's essentially a Roger Corman 'B' film). See my review for full details.

I think this movie will continue to be viewed and indeed will influence behavior of future bikers. So many of us were drawn into this scene because of these movies. This movie in particular has great shots of ratty motorcycles and the people who ride them. What more could a greasy biker ask for? Lee Marvin as Chino in The Wild Ones is a case in point. He rode a Harley and led the Beetles. Not much press on this, but bikers ate it up! Marlon was on various British iron, younger cousins to the Indians and Harleys and lesser known American mounts running the back roads of America back then. Keeg is a BAD mammajamma, but he has Harley oil running through his veins. Great portrayal by Bruce Dern. So many of us got started on two wheels just to express our displeasure with the crowd. Motorcycling is a solo act, outside the mainstream. Yeah, my doctor and my lawyer ride Harleys now, and I don't think they'd like this movie. It wasn't meant for them. It was to scare the mother of their children; it was to let their young sons know there is an avenue for them to express their fear and angst. Gitchyermotr runnin! Head out on the highway lookin for adventure, and whatever comes my way!' The future pimps of this country will continue to pay homage to the craft through the blaxsploitation flicks of the 60s and 70s. Old lure, slang, culture, etc is on display through these works of art. Long live the B movie!

Another low-budget "biker" film; not top-notch except for Bruce Dern who is incredible as always. As Keeg, the woman-hating leader of a pack, he constantly makes bad dialogue sound realistic with his character. There are some interesting scenes: the blonde chick (post-party) wandering the streets in search of help. Scott Brady (Lawrence Tierney's younger brother pops up as a vice cop) and is authentic.This is pretty standard stuff (except for Dern). A 4 out of 10. Best performance = Bruce Dern. Melody Patterson is terrible as always as the main actress (even with nudity). Interesting plot, but terrible dialogue. Not on par with Hell's Angels on Wheels with Jack Nicholson and Sabrina Scharf.