SIDEWINDER ONE sets itself apart from the sleazy biker movies for the time and creates an all-new motocross setting. It's possibly the first ever film of its kind. This is mainly a drama I'm talking about here, but the plot is well worth it from the start of the rider's sponsorship to the miracle finish. The motorcycle guy is quite colorful as he can get downright nuts, but his performance on the track is where the fun is. Listen for a soundtrack by the late Eddie Rabbit in this one. Whether or not this one appeals to you anymore is in question, but here's where it all began.
5 Reviews
Fun Movie for Dirt Bikers
taosphilnm3 April 2005
Being that I got to be an extra in this film, I'm a little partial to liking it. Having raced motorcycles for 30 years, re-watching this one brings back the old memories of the beginning of Motocross in America. There's stunts galore and some that were not planned or in the script - I still have the scars to prove it. The plot is more a love story then anything else, but all the racing and off-track antics are a kick. There's a great mud fight and you get to see the old motocross bikes and a tricked out Maico for the lead SideWinder Bike. Not the best acting in the world, but the directing is top-notch. If your into Dirt Bikes this ones worth a watch. Fun to the end and lots of laughs. Have FUN!
Taos
timriter11 August 2008
Like taosphilnm, I was also an extra in the film. I was then the assistant innkeeper at the Holiday Inn in Taos, where the crew stayed. I got to know a few of them, and was asked if I wanted to be an extra one day.
If you know the area, they really mixed up the locales, but it worked well for the film.
This was a fun movie with many TV actors working on their hiatus. Don't expect high drama, but it can give some moments of entertainment and suspense.
Linda Howard and Alex Cord both did fine jobs in their acting roles, and it was fun seeing Michael Parks in another motorcycle role.
If you know the area, they really mixed up the locales, but it worked well for the film.
This was a fun movie with many TV actors working on their hiatus. Don't expect high drama, but it can give some moments of entertainment and suspense.
Linda Howard and Alex Cord both did fine jobs in their acting roles, and it was fun seeing Michael Parks in another motorcycle role.
Typical 70's fare for the drive-in/rural crowd.
mark.waltz25 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Cliches abound in this motorcycle racing action flick that wasn't seeking anything but small profits, and certainly not going for art for art's sake. In that goal, it fulfills its purpose, and some will be entertained while others will not be interested and others beyond that will find it trashy and crass. Like the skiing movies of the '60s, motorcycle racing movies of that era and beyond was a selective genre, and for me (not interested in that genre), it was an entertaining enough time filler but not something that I would recommend.
Once again, Marjoe Gortner goes for a helmet of hair and a nasty personality, and for some people, he's hard to watch. At least he's consistent when he plays these type of characters. But then again, Michael Parks character isn't exactly all that likable either, and Susan Howard of "Dallas" fame is the typical tough talking broad who loses that aspect when she breaks down after a sudden tragedy.
In a smaller role, Charlotte Rae seems to be emulating Shelley Winters, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Shelley had been offered that part first. As the mother of Barry Livingston ("My Three Sons"), she's featuring a bright red hairstyle, with the crassness that Shelley overindulged in with many of her later movies. It's not a truly bad film, but there are moments of obviously overtly sexual innuendo that indicate this wasn't going for good clean fun, that is if you consider repetitive wipe outs outside of the dirt good clean fun. There are a few great racing scenes, but the subject matter just isn't going to be for all tastes.
Once again, Marjoe Gortner goes for a helmet of hair and a nasty personality, and for some people, he's hard to watch. At least he's consistent when he plays these type of characters. But then again, Michael Parks character isn't exactly all that likable either, and Susan Howard of "Dallas" fame is the typical tough talking broad who loses that aspect when she breaks down after a sudden tragedy.
In a smaller role, Charlotte Rae seems to be emulating Shelley Winters, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Shelley had been offered that part first. As the mother of Barry Livingston ("My Three Sons"), she's featuring a bright red hairstyle, with the crassness that Shelley overindulged in with many of her later movies. It's not a truly bad film, but there are moments of obviously overtly sexual innuendo that indicate this wasn't going for good clean fun, that is if you consider repetitive wipe outs outside of the dirt good clean fun. There are a few great racing scenes, but the subject matter just isn't going to be for all tastes.
A really fun and enjoyable 70's drive-in motorcross bike racing romp
Woodyanders13 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This fun, no-nonsense 70's drive-in action/drama entry centers on the exciting and dangerous sport of professional motorcross bike racing. Michael Parks plays it cool and easy as J.W. Wyatt, a blunt, scruffy, aging motorcross champ who decides to endorse and help design a fancy new motorcycle for laid-back businessman Packard Gentry (a pleasingly mellow Alex Cord). Alas, Packard gets killed in a motorcycle accident, thus leaving Wyatt and his cocky, swaggering, groupie-chasing yahoo cowboy buddy assistant Digger (the ever-hip Marjoe Gortner) at the mercy of Packard's smug, rigid, by the book advertising executive sister Chris (expertly essayed to bitchy perfection by Susan Howard).
Director Earl ("Speedtrap") Bellamy keeps this playful programmer fresh and lively, maintaining an even narrative keel and firm, fleet pace throughout. The sassy, sparky script by Nancy Voyles Crawford and Thomas A. McMahon astutely captures that distinctly all-American blend of full-blooded machismo, cutthroat competitiveness, and go-for-broke spirit-testing adventure that all the best, most satisfying sports movies ought to possess, dishing out all the guts and glory, plus seize the moment, fly by the seat of your pants charge of adrenaline, that this mighty manly activity naturally entails. Dennis Dalzell's zesty, zeroed-in cinematography depicts all the kick up the dust and dirt, engine-revving, tires a buzzin' motorcross action -- tumbles, peel outs, unlucky riders taking head over butt nasty spills from their mean machines, and so on -- with such bang-up stirring results that you just might be picking sand from your teeth for at least a week. Mundell Lowe's funky, syncopated, aggressively brassy country-flavored score, ably aided by a few tasty Eddie Rabbitt songs, lays on the happening sounds something sweet. Net verdict: quick and steady, this one definitely gets the trophy for being an appealingly unassuming all-around winner.
Director Earl ("Speedtrap") Bellamy keeps this playful programmer fresh and lively, maintaining an even narrative keel and firm, fleet pace throughout. The sassy, sparky script by Nancy Voyles Crawford and Thomas A. McMahon astutely captures that distinctly all-American blend of full-blooded machismo, cutthroat competitiveness, and go-for-broke spirit-testing adventure that all the best, most satisfying sports movies ought to possess, dishing out all the guts and glory, plus seize the moment, fly by the seat of your pants charge of adrenaline, that this mighty manly activity naturally entails. Dennis Dalzell's zesty, zeroed-in cinematography depicts all the kick up the dust and dirt, engine-revving, tires a buzzin' motorcross action -- tumbles, peel outs, unlucky riders taking head over butt nasty spills from their mean machines, and so on -- with such bang-up stirring results that you just might be picking sand from your teeth for at least a week. Mundell Lowe's funky, syncopated, aggressively brassy country-flavored score, ably aided by a few tasty Eddie Rabbitt songs, lays on the happening sounds something sweet. Net verdict: quick and steady, this one definitely gets the trophy for being an appealingly unassuming all-around winner.
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