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Rebel Rousers (1970)
Director: Martin B. Cohen
Cast: Cameron Mitchell, Bruce Dern, Diane Ladd, Jack Nicholson
Runtime78 min
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In a small, US costal town with many Spanish speakers, a motorcycle gang arrives on holiday. Also in town to try to reconnect with his pregnant girlfriend, Karen, is businessman Paul Collier. Paul and a leader of the cyclists, J.J., knew each other years before, so when the gang comes upon the couple and, led by the menacing Bunny, beats up Paul and begins a sexual assault of Karen, J.J. tries to intervene: he suggests they hold cycle-riding contests, with the winner claiming Karen (he promises, sotto voce, to set her free if he wins). After the contests commence, Paul crawls away to look for help. He meets with a shrug from a cowardly sheriff's deputy; where can he turn?
Critical Reception & Ratings
Rebel Rousers, the 1970 crime drama directed by Martin B. Cohen, is considered an underappreciated and gritty depiction of small-town tensions that arise when a motorcycle gang arrives. While it has not received major awards recognition, the film has a respectable 6.7/10 rating on IMDb, suggesting it resonates with audiences who appreciate its raw, realistic portrayal of the confrontation between the local community and the invading gang.
Why you might like this:
Rebel Rousers (1970), directed by Martin B. Cohen, offers a gritty crime drama with a unique blend of social commentary and visceral action. Featuring standout performances from Jack Nicholson and Bruce Dern, the film explores the tension between a motorcycle gang and the locals in a small coastal town, delivering a thought-provoking exploration of power dynamics and moral ambiguity.
About
The Rebel Rousers is a 1970 American independent outlaw biker film starring Cameron Mitchell, Jack Nicholson, Diane Ladd, Bruce Dern, and Harry Dean Stanton. Filmed in 1967, it did not receive a release until 1970 following the success of Easy Rider. It is one of several motorcycle gang films of the period to feature Nicholson, Dern and Stanton. The film was co-written, produced and directed by Martin B. Cohen in his only directorial effort.
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