The Cycle Savages Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

The Cycle Savages Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 27, 2020

1969’s “The Cycle Savages” tries to tap into an industry trend, presenting the exploits of a biker gang on the loose, causing some amount of trouble wherever they go. Those accustomed to more forceful acts of intimidation and violence might want to take a pass on this film, which focuses on a mad dog gang leader’s tireless quest to…break an artist’s hands. Yeah, that’s it for viciousness in “The Cycle Savages,” which seems to be under the impression that slight bodily injury is the key to anarchic horror. The subgenre needs a little more awfulness to truly scratch that exploitation itch.

Romko (Chris Robinson) is a sketch artist who’s taken notice of a biker gang causing trouble in town, creating images of members and their leader, Keeg (Bruce Dern). Heavily involved in drug running and prostitution, Keeg doesn’t want his picture collected by anyone, setting out to break Romko’s hands, teaching him a lesson. Lea (Melody Patterson) is Romko’s apartment neighbor, taking a special interest in the man, but she’s also under Keeg’s control, forced into service to keep Romko distracted as the gang consider their evil plans.

“The Cycle Savages” isn’t a film for those who need hospital corners on their movie logic. Keeg is a deranged individual, cruel and loud, but he doesn’t decide to kill Romko when he discovers drawings of himself in action. No, only the breaking of fingers will do, and the screenplay spends the entire run time on this ridiculous idea. There’s a subplot with Lea and Romko, who experience a love connection, with Keeg’s control of the young woman complicating their affair. Googly eyes and possible betrayals are present, but Keeg needs those hands, man!

Shooting Romko would make “The Cycle Savages” a 15-minute-long picture, forcing writer/director Bill Brame to pad the effort with assorted biker bedlam, staging feeble fights on visibly shaking sets, and there’s a sexual assault that’s scored to upbeat music. In fact, everything nasty is presented with jaunty rock music, including a main theme that’s recycled ad nauseum throughout the film. For additional fun, look for multiple product placement ads for Dad’s Root Beer (the thirst-quenching choice for butch biker gang movies), a cameo from Casey Kasem as a ruthless pimp(!), and there’s an early scene set in a bar where Dern is meant to pull off some type of beer glass magic trick, only it doesn’t work. That this obvious mistake is still in the feature says everything about “The Cycle Savages.”

The Cycle Savages Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Pulled from the MGM vaults, "The Cycle Savages" comes to Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation. The viewing experience shows its age, with a softer sense of detail, with some mild filtering. Skin surfaces register with a modest degree of texture, as does costuming, coming into contact with soiled denim and tight polyester. Exteriors are adequate, handling a few dimensional locations. Colors are acceptable, favoring a darker palette for biker gang outfits and blackened interiors. Period style delivers a little extra punch with blues and reds, and greenery is passable. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is a little rough, with speckling and scratches detected throughout.

The Cycle Savages Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also suffers a bit from age, but dialogue exchanges are satisfactory, presenting biker gang arguments and romantic whispers with reasonable clarity. Music handles a bit harshly, with fuzzier highs, but the rock atmosphere is appreciable. Hiss is present throughout the listening experience.

The Cycle Savages Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (10:02, HD) with Maray Ayers initially explores how the actress acquired her part in "The Cycle Savages," and her efforts to figure out the character of Sandy without getting too deep into motivation. Costuming highlights are shared, along with Ayers and her fear of motorcycles, forcing her to do the most intense acting of the shoot while clinging to Bruce Dern. Co-stars are recalled, with the interviewee sharing her interactions with Dern and Casey Kasem. Ayers closes with some thoughts on emotional control during production.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:16, HD) is included.

The Cycle Savages Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Cycle Savages" offers emphatic performances from Dern and Patterson, who try their best to make something out of a dud. Such efforts are lost in a surprisingly dull endeavor, with Brame not up to the challenge of delivering a disturbing and stylish biker gang extravaganza.