Review of The Wild One (1953) by Sherry L — 11 May 2009

Forty youngsters on motorcycles attend a big motorcycle race, and sabotage so they get thrown out. After stealing the trophy they continue their little odyssey and stays in a small town. They have their own small motorcycle races in the streets, destroy property, and terrorize the people in every which way they can. They later gather in the local bar, drinking beer. The local sheriff tries to get rid of the gang but the bar owner has different intresses. The gang leader Johnny, soon falls for the sheriffs daughter and tries to impress with his (stolen) trophy but he has nothing for it. Later, a rival gang stops by and their leader Chino and Johnny immediately get into a fight. As a result Chino is thrown in jail, and more trouble are waiting just around the corner...

This movie has gotten most status through Marlon Brando's portrayal of Johnny the gang leader, which has become an icon of the 1950s. Brandos "bad boy" attitude is tailormade for this part, though he seems a little bit too old for this part (not to mention Lee Marvin who plays Chino!). This whole movie actually seems artificial, like awefully moralizing and generalizing which makes this movie very old. Its made in a society that see threats in everything; teenagers, socialists, space and not to mention everything that are different from the standard.