Hell on Wheels

After peaking in the 1970s, the spectator sport of roller derby waned until 2001, when two all-female leagues emerged in Austin, TX. Charismatic impresario Dan Policarpo tapped April Hermann (Putas del Fuego), Heather Burdick (Holy Rollers), Anya Jack (Rhinestone Cowgirls), and Nancy Haggerty (Hellcats) to captain the first league, but after Policarpo was unable to procure skates and other equipment, the women wound up forming their own outfit: Bad Girl, Good Woman. Director Bob Ray and producer/cinematographer Werner Campbell train their lens on these women, who look mighty cool with their colorful hair and tattoos, but take their sport seriously: without strength, dexterity, and proper training, a player won't get far, although entertainment also plays a part in their bouts (as Anya says, “Sex sells”). After introducing the central quartet, Ray follows them as they meet, train, compete, and build their own track, all the while losing numerous teammates over admittedly bad business decisions and avoidable injuries. The disenchanted skaters who leave form the more democratically-run Texas Rollergirls. While there's plenty of action in Hell on Wheels, the film also serves as a primer for ambitious young dreamers looking to start their own businesses: as these pioneers soon discover, accounting presents more of a challenge than competition. Despite their troubles, the two Texas leagues would eventually inspire hundreds more across the country. Featuring a solid soundtrack by the Austin band ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, DVD extras here include three commentary tracks (one with Ray and Campbell, another featuring Bad Girl, Good Woman [now the Lonestar Rollergirls], and the last with the Texas Rollergirls), deleted scenes, and music videos. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)