A few people seem to think that the film was shot in the mid 70's but it was definitely shot in the early 1970's - It started in either 71 or 72 as Freedom RIP and then continued sporadically from then on. How do I know? I was in the Northville cemetery in Michigan a couple of times while the filming was taking place as I was then dating one of the filmmakers. I moved to Australia in July 72, so it was definitely before then!If the acting isn't the best, then that's because those guys were not actors; they were actual bikies.

Mayhem starts when a gang of bikers is accused of a sadistic rape in a small town.The guy who directed this also directed Harry and the Hendersons. It's a very 70s movie. And cheaply made. Lots of voice dubbing. Got a real biker gang in it.The movie is set up to show that the bikers seem like good guys -- they change a tire for some old couple in the first frame. Then one of the bikers pick up an albino hitchhiker (who i at first thought was a girl!)It's not a great movie.

I saw this film on VHS back in the early-mid 80's. Being about 12-13 I loved the Ultra-Violence and the entire concept. I must have watched it through twice in as many days and the finale a few times more. Not often a film with 'Massacre' in the title actually delivers but this one did. In Spades.The only setback was that I seemed to be the only person who ever saw it. Ever. Seriously. Back in those days of the 'Video Nasty' we used to compare splatter films at break during school but I was the only person who ever knew of this one. Same for years. Even up till now, come to think of it. Its a tribute to its raw power that I can still recall so much of it. The bikers, the corrupt law, the 'Paton' skit,the shootings and the massacre itself. And the fact that not one of the bikers could actually fire in a straight line and had no idea of the concept of cover. Hey-Ho!And the ending is one of the best, most powerful and most disturbing ever filmed. Its stuck with me over 20 years.Now THATS what you call a Finale'.

Just got finished watching this and felt compelled to write a review right away (very rare for me). I had heard this was something of a cult item and an excellent biker flick so I decided to check it out. Very impressive!! "Northville Cemetery Massacre" is a low-budget biker flick from the 70s that is probably the best pure biker film that I have ever seen. Plot and characterizations are strong and simple. The film is compact and has tremendous visual energy and uses sound and music beautifully. Very well directed. And the title ain't kiddin either - a massacre is exactly what this film delivers!! It's kind of like a cross between "Easy Rider" and "The Wild Bunch" (in fact, I think that is an apt description). Up until now the two films that (for me) defined the biker film were "Born Losers" (where, admittedly, the bikers were the bad guys) and "Easy Rider". I think "Northville Cemetery Massacre" is superior to both. This is also a very beautiful film, especially in the early, more tranquil scenes. The bikers are portrayed as playful and earthy. In particular a wedding scene that blends into a scene of two characters making love in a barn is an absolutely beautiful, artistic collage of image and sound. Extremely impressive. See this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!