Good if not great as biker cinema goes, "Hells Angels on Wheels" had the legendary Angel Sonny Barger as its technical adviser, making it supposedly more true to life than other depictions of the notorious motorcycle gang, although the word "supposedly" will need to be stressed. The movie has a few elements that manage to make it a must see, but these don't have much to do with the story, which is thin and has an episodic nature. Jack Nicholson, the obvious breakout star, is prominently featured as a gas station attendant who captures the attention of a bunch of Angels and earns their respect. He's voted in as a member, but he finds that their wild way of life is a little too much for him. They like to promote themselves as fun loving rebels, but they possess decidedly more edge than that, and are not above murder. Nicholsons' character, who gets nick named "Poet", also does not like the way that they pass their women around, especially as he falls for Shill (Sabrina Scharf), who is ordinarily the main squeeze of this packs' leader, the charismatic Buddy (Adam Roarke). Despite Nicholsons' presence and performance, Roarke really is the one to watch here, doing an engaging job of creating a memorable character. A couple of familiar faces fill out the supporting and bit parts: John Garwood, Jack Starrett, Gary Littlejohn, and Bruno VeSota, with directors Bob Kelljan and John "Bud" Cardos also appearing. This is exciting at times, with the expected number of fight scenes, as well as some filler / montage sequences, and music that is very much of the time. The movie isn't helped, however, by an abrupt and unsatisfying ending. If one is interested, they can check out other biker pictures from producer Joe Solomon such as "Angels from Hell", "Run, Angel, Run!", "The Losers", and "Werewolves on Wheels". Director Richard Rush would also direct Nicholson in "Psych-Out", and of course would go on to great fame as director of the cult favourite "The Stunt Man" (in which he again worked with Roarke). One can also note the stylish and colourful cinematography by Laszlo Kovacs, who's billed as Leslie Kovacs. Overall, not bad, and a cult film worth a look. Seven out of 10.

Jack Nicholson is poised and relaxed here, but he doesn't get to show much wit as a good boy who decides to run with the Angels' dastardly misadventures for a spell. In so doing, he hooks up with the leader's gf, the better for them to offer their detached commentary on the varied depravity. This 'redeeming social value' move is extraneous and entirely unconvincing, even if the filmmakers believe every word; it's pure gamesmanship, something for the eggheads to chew on. The actual content of the film resides in the episodic procession of set pieces, each chosen for maximum visual interest - an amusement park brawl, a body-painting party, a biker wedding, a duel to the death amid some scenic ruins. Cinematographer "Leslie" Kovacs makes the most of these, but in the end it's pretty thin gruel. The big musical interlude in the middle sums things up: "Moving but going nowhere". Going nowhere fast, too, as in the absurdly abrupt ending; not that there was anything that really needed doing beyond that.

I collect "cheap" Biker movies, not inexpensive, but tacky. This one is cheap/tacky, but may have the worst ending of ANY movie ever made. I'm surprised no one mentions that. About the ending...how and why does Buddy's bike explode? Why does the front tire explode in flames? Well, I know. When Buddy bites down, they wanted the bike to blow up so he would die. They did not have the money to do it more than once, much less authentically. I got knocked down by a pick up truck while on my '72 XLH, but it didn't blow up. (I guess I wasn't supposed to die) The tire blows up because it is hard to get a bike to fall over (while being ghost ridden) right on the mark. They had one chance to make it land on the explosive charge and failed. That's why I love these "Biker Movies". The cheapness. Horrible acting. Worse plots. But LOVE the bikes! '60's style choppers are the greatest. Old school. As the Biker said in the (cheap) Biker scene in the movie DUTCH TREAT, "We geek chickens on Saturday night...Know what I mean?" That's what Bikers do. Rape, pillage and geek chickens. By the way, in Dutch Treat, I am the "Biker" seated to the "Chicken Geeker's" left. Got paid to drink beer. Took 12 hours to do that 2 minute scene. No drinking on the set, tho. I smuggled cans of Coors Light in my sock and poured them in my empty bottle, so I am the only one actually drinking beer in that "Biker" scene. When you see someone drinking booze in a movie, the bottles and cans are empty. Anyway, that was my 15 minutes of fame. Had a ball. Long live cheap Biker movies!

This Richard Rush biker film is better than the Wild Angels, Angels Unchained, Devil's Angels, Cycle Savages, The Glory Stompers, or The Savage Seven. First of all it has the beautiful and talented Sabrina Scharf (from Easy Rider) who later became a Senator or some such thing. Adam Roarke was always a good addition to low-budget films and Nicholson shines as the Poet (a somewhat reluctant biker to begin with).None of these films is high quality, but this one has some refreshing scenes that stand out. A 6 out of 10. Best performance = Jack Nicholson. If you can find it, it's worth your time. Richard Rush was always been a good director.