I found this short film in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, I remember seeing the image of a character wearing a military cap and smoking a cigarette, and I was intrigued by the title, so I hoped for something good. Basically the film sees a group of homosexual Nazi bikers getting ready for a night out, building their bikes, dressing themselves in leather, and partaking in a cult night out, with pain and pleasure. There is no dialogue in the film, but there are flashes of footage from The Wild One with Marlon Brando and Cecil B. DeMille's religious epic King of Kings with Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus Christ, and the editing moves with the rhythm of the rock and roll soundtrack, including Bobby Vinton – "Blue Velvet", Elvis Presley – "(You're the) Devil in Disguise", Ray Charles – "Hit the Road Jack", The Crystals – "He's a Rebel", and Surfaris – "Wipe Out". Starring Bruce Byron as Scorpio, Johnny Sapienza as Taurus, Frank Carifi as Leo, Bill Dorfman as The Back, John Palone as Pinstripe and Ernie Allo as Joker. It is a very simple film, gay bikers getting ready for a night on the town and masochism, the key themes of the film are the occult, biker subculture, homosexuality, Catholicism, and Nazism, so it is a tasteless film in many ways, but that makes it all the more interesting, a surprisingly watchable short underground experimental film. Very good!

One of Kenneth Anger's most popular and thematically accessible short films, "Scorpio Rising" consists of a series of montage images overlain by thirteen pop songs of the early 1960s. The film expresses nonconformist themes that herald the onset of the American counterculture movement. As the visuals focus on a group of New York City motorcyclists, viewers perceive a bohemian lifestyle, a nihilistic subtext, elements of erotica, and an amusing sense of irony from the juxtaposition of images and music.There is no plot, no dialogue, no sets, no acting. Anger simply records on camera what he finds as he happens onto these bikers, who are not actors. Sans music, the film could easily be thought of as a polished home movie. It conveys a sense of realism and frankness. Cinematography is somewhat grainy; colors are muted. There are many close-up camera shots, and quite a few extreme close-ups.The music gives thematic depth to the images and imposes varying moods and feelings, not the least of which is nostalgia, along with melancholy, lost childhood, rebellion, humor, and just a hint of fatalism. Probably one of the better sequences is the Bobby Vinton recording of "Blue Velvet" recorded over images of a couple of young guys who don their biker uniforms. A sequence or two in the middle seems either unnecessary or out of place. Editing is a bit fast and erratic in the second half.Prospective viewers should expect the unexpected, given that "Scorpio Rising" is a 1960s underground film. It is definitely different. This is one of several that Anger made, all experimental. In retrospect, he can be thought of as a poetic visionary whose cultural influence is still being felt in the 21st century, especially in cinema.

Kenneth Anger's "Scorpio Rising", set to the tune of thirteen 1960's pop songs, ranks as one of the best films ever shot in the experimental genres, which to some people might translate as the best pile of dog poop ever made, but in terms of visual imagery, context, and use of music, it ranks up there as one of the most important films of the 60's. Kenneth Anger's trademarks (outsider as protagonist, homosexual iconography, pop culture looked at in a different light) are at their most poignant here with most memorable scenes set to 'Blue Velvet", "I Will Follow Him", and "Wipe Out". Also classic is the use of clips from Cecil B. DeMille's "King of Kings" of Jesus and his disciples walking superimposed between shots of gay bikers. A classic piece of Americana.

i totally agree with a previous guy...this movie is on par with a bout de souffle for sheer vision. like nothing that came before it. the first time i saw a gregg araki film, i was very impressed...then i saw this and kustom kar kommandos. that someone could have produced this in 1964 is almost unbelievable.