Review of The Wild One (1953) by Leena L — 06 Feb 2015
Directed by László Benedek, (Death of a Salesman (1951) and Namu, the Killer Whale (1966)), and produced by Stanley Kramer (Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)).
This is a heavy and hard hitting motorcycle drama, based on a 1951 short story called The Cyclists' Raid by Frank Rooney. It's still hard hitting now, although gang culture has changed since. Set in the town of Carbonville, California.
The Black Rebels Motorcycle Club, led by Johnny Strabler (Marlon Brando), ride into town during a motorcycle race, and cause trouble. They head for the neighbouring town of Wrightsville, where local lawman Chief Harry Bleeker (Robert Keith) wants no trouble.
Johnny falls for Bleeker's daughter Kathie (Mary Murphy), who works in the local bar. But trouble arrives in the form of Chino (Lee Marvin), leader of rival gang The Beetles, who Johnny was part of before he decided to form his own gang.
Tensions build up, escalating into an all out war between The Beetles and the Black Rebels Motorcycle Club. It's got a brilliant atmosphere, capturing the mood of the times back then, as there was a new kind of hoodlum on the scene in the 1950's.
It's been impersonated to death since it's release, but it does have a sleazy charm about it, and it builds it's mood up quickly, plus the film is only a sprightly 79 minutes long.
This review of The Wild One (1953) was written by Leena L on 06 Feb 2015.
The Wild One has generally received positive reviews.
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