![]() ![]() ![]() The basic message, as far as I can tell, is that there is nothing wrong with mass suicide, anarchism, or devil worship. The movie's brilliance is that it takes extremely touchy subjects and turns them into lighthearted jokes. As far as I can tell, it's meant to be a comedy. but it's also the most rockin', stylish, all-out groovy flick I have ever seen! I have no idea why this is classified as a horror movie. I know full well how cheesy and ridiculous it is. I really don't want to say this is my favorite movie, but it sure is tempting. Don't go into it expecting anything more than that and you will find a curiosity b-movie that is trashy but strangely enjoyable. Psychomania has something of a cult following and you can see why because it is good enough as a genre b-movie to be a sort of trashy pleasure. He is an effect presence and it is a shame that more was not made of his part in the film. The real surprise of the cast is George Sanders for whom this was his last film as he was to commit suicide the next year. The rest of the gang are so-so biker types. She is in the shadow of Michelle looks-wise, mainly because the latter's performance is pure pouting and such. Henson is in permanent "cocky" mode but is good enough, while Larkin does a good genre performance of being freaked out and a bit frightened. The cast are mainly long-haired youths who can do limited work with the material but probably would not do much better with more. All of these are at the level one would expect but add to the pleasure of the film as a b-movie it doesn't ever take itself seriously, which again is part of it working. Otherwise though, the "problems" are all part of the genre bad dialogue, basic effects, average actors and so on. The main area of this for me is the fact that, once undead, the gang simply continue to terrify old ladies in shops, rather than becoming more ambitious in their actions. Of course, outside of the world of the b-movie it is no earthly good at all and, even as one, there are areas that could have been better. What it is is a British b-movie, made cheaply and with a clear agenda to cash in on both the zombie and motorcycle youth genres by going for the base requirements of both groups. OK it will not be challenging for the top of many "greatest film of all time" lists (well, maybe "greatest undead biker movies" list) but it is what it is and it works as such. Everyone is keen to stress how "bad" this film is but I do not think that that is fair in any way. ![]() And this is how he returns to life again, but more powerful than an human and with his juvenile delinquent streak now turned into a murderous callousness. ![]() During a high speed chase, Tom deliberately goes off a bridge and is buried by his gang in their way on his bike in full leathers. When he is finally allowed into a room that has been locked since his father's death he learns a secret that, when you deliberately die and totally believe you will return from the other world, then you will do so and will truly become one of the living dead. Tom Latham is the leader of a delinquent motorcycle gang known as The Living Dead his fascination with the paranormal fed by the death of his father and the clairvoyant gift of his mother. It truly must be witnessed to be fully appreciated! Who knew that bikers wove flower wreathes or wore crocheted vests? EXTRA EXTRA POINTS: For the gang members' names, like,"Hinky", "Hatchet", "Gash", "Chopped Meat", and, of course, "Bertrem"! EXTRA SPECIAL POINTS: For the novel suicides, including, tossing oneself into a lake, wrapped in battleship chains! Amazing! These motorbikes run on pure cheeeze! Soooo, squeeze into those leather trousers my friends, for this is why cinema was created! Is that another pram?!. A grand time is had by all! EXTRA POINTS: For the notorious "biker funeral" and "motorcycle resurrection" scene. Then, after a fun day of mindless murder and mayhem, including a game of baby-pram-pinball, Tom does the unthinkable! He initiates his infernal plan for his gang's eternal, psychotic playtime! The rest is about his mates' following his lead, and the unfortunate results. Luckily, his mum (Beryl Reid) is a medium, and their butler, Shadwell (George Sanders), just might be more than he appears to be- Hope you guessed his name! So, Tom attains a toad talisman, and gets a crash course in his diabolical family history. Growing dreadfully bored with the hum-drum world of anti-social thuggery, Tom decides to dabble in the realm of the occult in order to gain immortality for himself and his terrorizing, turd brigade. PSYCHOMANIA (aka: THE DEATH WHEELERS) is the uplifting tale of a gang of bratty bikers and their hopelessly infantile leader, Tom Latham (Nicky Henson). ![]()
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