GIRL ON A MOTORCYCLE is based on the Andre Pieyre De Mandiargue’s novel La Motocyclette. I do not know how faithful the film is to the book since I never read it. Anchor Bay releases the film in this widescreen, uncensored European version. The 1968 film stars Marianne Faithful (then Mick Jagger’s significant other) as rebellious, free-spirited Rebecca, who feels the need for a hog between her legs (among other things). The film is a beautifully shot testament to the sixties and to Jack Cardiff’s (who doubles as cinematographer) skills. This is one truly shagadelic sixties film, yeah baby! Director Cardiff serves up an erotic story told in a visually dazzling and kinetic fashion. The director puts the viewer in the head of this motorcycling love junkie. Again, this is a well photographed retro/art/cult film that has little to offer to today’s jaded horror or nonstop action film fans. But I was infant when this film came out and this is as good a dose of the wild sixties that you could get, and maybe that’s why I liked it. But I’ll be the first to admit (like a Jess Franco film), its not for everyone.

The film takes place in Europe. Newlywed Rebecca is married to sweet guy school teacher Raymond (Roger Mutton). Occasionally, when he is teaching at school, Rebecca dons her skin tight leather motorcycle outfit (think Catwoman) and mounts up her Harley Davidson. She begins the long, scenic trek from her home in Alsace, France, across the German border to Heidelburg to visit her lover Daniel (Alain Delon). She has been seeing Daniel on the side since she got married, but he has no feelings of love for her. Daniel met Rebecca while she was working in her fathers bookstore as Daniel was a regular customer there. Rebecca has feelings of guilt but cannot get herself to stop seeing him, so she is at odds with herself and is full of inner turmoil. The only time she is at peace with herself is when she is riding the Harley around. The Harley was given to her by Daniel so she would have a way of getting herself to him for their love fests. In a series of flashbacks we see how Daniel teaches Rebecca how to ride a motorcycle and their various initial meetings. In the end, Rebecca gets what she has coming to her for being an unfaithful wife, but I won’t reveal that here.

There is a constant narration by Marianne Faithful that delves into Rebecca’s psyche and this creates some poetic moments. There are several psychedelic sequences accompanied by a unique (though purely sixties) jazzy symphonic/rock score. There is a certain cheese factor to the film, especially in some scenes when the motorcycle riders are clearly composited in front of a rushing background, but this is part of the sixties charm. There are several scenes which involve psychedelic imagery that are well done and not overused. One part of the film that annoyed me was that we learn about these characters and relationships almost exclusively through flashbacks while Rebecca is day dreaming when riding her bike. A highlight of the film for me is the dazzling opening credit sequence (complete with raucous score). Even if you don’t enjoy a trip down memory lane, or you have no interest in Austin Powers-isms, that opening title sequence is worth the price of a rental alone.

SIGHT

This uncensored version is a good (though not spectacular) 1.66.1 widescreen transfer. To be honest after seeing the black and white packaging, I was convinced it was a black and white film. How surprised I was once I put the DVD in and this gorgeous color cinematography rolled by. Jack Cardiff’s widescreen cinematography really shines beyond it 60’s style production. We see excellent scenes of the European landscape rolling by that really captures the locale quite nicely. There is good detail in the scenes and we can see the leaves in the trees, people in the parks, cracks in the European architecture, etc. The colors are genuinely bright and appear accurate. Contrast and brightness are good with decent shadow detail. The blacks level appeared a little off, and could be better balanced. Also, like most films of this vintage grain is visible in many scenes, but does not distract from the film. There are no nics or scratches in the film elements. A nice job by Anchor Bay.

SOUND

The Dolby Digital mono soundtrack is a good one. I’ve heard some mono tracks that sound muffled, you can hear hissing, and the score just sounds tinny and flat. Well, this mix has none of that. It’s a good mix with some depth including some bass. I’m a big fan of film scores, and Les Reeds score is excellent and comes through great in mono. The score is not your typical 60’s pop score, you have to hear it to believe it, but it adds dimension to the film. The dialog and narration comes from the center channel and sounds crisp. The film takes place in Europe, but pretty much everyone speaks English; there is no dubbing.

FEATURES

The still gallery is a neat collage of behind the scenes and promo pictures for GIRL ON A MOTORCYCLE. The pictures (which you can pause to observe) are accompanied by the jazzy symphonic music score as they scroll over the screen. The talent bios are informative (did you know director Jack Cardiff was the cinematographer for CONAN THE BARBARIAN, RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART 2, and GHOST STORY?). The audio commentary by Mr. Cardiff is bit slow, but is probably more interesting to followers of his work. The classic trailer is 1.66.1, mono, and is 54 seconds long. Other Talent Bios include Marianne Faithful & Alan Delon.

CONCLUSION

GIRL ON A MOTORCYCLE is a daring 1960’s road movie that includes hip psychedelic camera shots, groovy music, leather and motorcycles, and a look inside the mind of a flawed character who happens to be a sexy woman. Anchor Bay has done a great job with the presentation, mastering (by Crest National), and extras. If any of this interests you, then check it out man. You’ll dig it.

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