4K Ultra HD Review – Motorpsycho! by Russ Meyer (1965)

      Motorpsycho!, 1965.

      Directed by Russ Meyer.

      Featuring Haji, Alex Rocco, Steve Oliver, Lane Carroll, Russ Meyer, Sharon Lee, Coleman Francis, Holle K. Winters, Arshalouis Aivazian.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A veteran and an attractive widow join forces to confront a violent motorcycle gang that assaulted their partners. Following their excellent 4K UHD restorations of the Vixen Trilogy, Severin revisits Russ Meyer’s filmography to provide his 1965 exploitation film Motorpsycho! with similar treatment. This film serves as a sort of rehearsal for his masterpiece Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, which was filmed back-to-back with Motorpsycho!. Alex Rocco plays Cory Maddox, a veterinarian married to Gail (Holle K. Winters). After a brutal trio of bikers attacks Gail, Cory seeks vengeance and encounters a Cajun woman named Ruby Bonner (Canadian model Haji), whose spouse is also killed by the same bikers. United, they set out to confront the gang in a remote desert where no one can witness their actions.

      Motorpsycho! presents a gritty and sordid revenge narrative that is surprisingly restrained regarding the typical Russ Meyer elements of voluptuous women on screen. While there is sufficient titillation as breasts defy gravity and capture attention whenever a woman appears, they remain mostly within the limits of the actors' clothing.

      Meyer adopts a darker and less cheerful tone here compared to his later works, portraying the rapid transformation of Cory and Ruby's personalities as they confront the biker gang led by the ruthless Brahmin (Steve Oliver). The director's rapid editing style imparts a youthful energy to the movie, particularly embodied by lead actor Alex Rocco, who hardly pauses for breath throughout.

      As is characteristic of a Russ Meyer film, the appeal lies in the sexual content; despite Haji not fully disrobing or acting out like typical Meyer heroines, she exudes a vibrant sexuality. This portrayal of rebellious female characters is further developed in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, featuring a cast of strong women, but here it feels less like a spectacle and more genuine and grounded.

      This edition of Motorpsycho! offers sharp black-and-white cinematography, an audio commentary with film historian Elizabeth Purchell and filmmaker Zach Clark, as well as some lively artwork. The standard Blu-ray also includes interviews with Haji and Alex Rocco. This release is a valuable addition to Severin’s 4K collection, curated in collaboration with The Russ Meyer Trust. However, those expecting the exaggerated Meyer style of the Vixen trilogy or his later films might find themselves a bit underwhelmed. Meyer would refine what he began here in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! the same year, but if you're looking for a slightly grittier, less comedic example of his exploitation style, this movie will satisfy that craving.

      SEE ALSO: Read our review of the 4K Ultra HD release of Russ Meyer’s Up! here

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward