Hells Angels on Wheels is a 1967 biker film produced by Fanfare Films and directed by Richard Rush. It is notable for starring a young Jack Nicholson in the leading role.
Plot[]
Poet (Jack Nicholson) is a young gas station attendant. When his motorcycle is damaged by a Hells Angel, he challenges the Angel that hit his bike. The Angels are about to beat him when their leader, Buddy, intervenes. He tells Poet that he can ride with the Angels until the motorcycle is repaired. The rest of the film is comprised of the Angels getting revenge on rival bikers and a group of sailors, usually with the unexpected help of Poet. In the meantime, Poet is flirting with Buddy's girlfriend, who is hopelessly committed to Buddy. In the end, she succeeds in provoking a fight between Buddy and Poet, with only one surviving.
Cast[]
- Poet - Jack Nicholson
- Buddy - Adam Roarke
- Buddy's Girlfriend - Sabrina Scharf
Ralph "Sonny" Barger, founder of the Oakland, CA Hells Angels, appears in one of the opening scenes. Several other actual Hells Angels appear as extras or background characters in the film.
Video[]
The film made $3 million from rentals after it was released on video. It later fell into the public domain and was released by ABM Group. It was one of ABM's first releases, and one of very few feature films they released.