Psychomania

Biker zombies roam the British countryside in the oddball 1973 horror film Psychomania (aka The Death Wheelers). Nicky Henson stars as Tom Latham, the nihilistic, sadistic leader of the British motorcycle gang "The Living Dead" who, with the assistance of his frog-worshipping mum (Beryl Reid), makes a deal with the devil. Latham dives to his death and leaps out of his grave (still astride his motorcycle) like a black leather bat out of hell ready to recruit members for his undead biker army. “Oh man, what are we waiting for?!!” exclaims a restless gang member before promptly driving headlong into a truck. This zombie version of The Wild Angels is less horror film than biker nightmare and Don Sharp, a former Hammer horror director, doesn't quite know how to straddle the line. The obscure supernatural elements feel awkward next to the restless violence of the rebels and their sadistic reign of terror. Although he clearly revels in gallows humor (the gang's “extreme sports” suicide montage is ghoulishly hilarious), Sharp never lets it descend into camp—although at times perhaps he should have. It's an inventive if not altogether successful genre mix highlighted by a sardonic turn by George Sanders as a shady servant who seems completely bemused by the entire spectacle. A minor cult film, Psychomania is presented in a restored and remastered edition, with extras including a segment on the restoration, and new and archival interviews and featurettes. Optional. (S. Axmaker)