Northville Cemetery Massacre
Northville Cemetery Massacre is a 1976 outlaw biker film written and directed by William Dear and Thomas L. Dyke. Nick Nolte did an uncredited voice over for the film's lead actor, David Hyry.[1]
| Northville Cemetery Massacre | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | William Dear Thomas L. Dyke |
| Written by | William Dear Thomas L. Dyke |
| Starring | David Hyry J. Craig Collicut Carson Jackson Nick Nolte (voice only) |
| Music by | Michael Nesmith |
| Cinematography | William Dear Thomas L. Dyke |
| Edited by | Christa Kindt Jerry Wellen |
| Distributed by | Cannon Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 82 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
An outlaw motorcycle club commits illegal acts, but only to make a point against police corruption. They are normally law-abiding, even going so far as to help an elderly couple whose car stops running. When a police officer rapes a woman, he frames the crime on the bikers. The town's citizens attack the gang in revenge, leading to a battle.[1]
Production
William Dear asked Michael Nesmith to compose the film's music and Nesmith agreed. The film's crew was unable to pay him, but he composed the music for free.[2] The author Steven Puchalski referred to the film as the "perfect funeral wreath to the biker movie phenomenon".[3] It was filmed using 16 mm film.[1]
Reception
Bill Gibron, writing for DVD Verdict, said, "amid all its gory, blood-soaked brazenness, there's a message about personal and public perspective that is awfully hard to miss".[1] Scott Weinberg, of DVD Talk, said, "Highly recommended to anyone who's old enough to remember and appreciate this type of low-budget, down & dirty, occasionally terrible but entirely watchable genre fare."[4]
A TV Guide review said, "Unimaginatively directed and too bloody for words".[5]
Home media
The film was released on VHS under Northville Cemetery Massacre, as well as Freedom R.I.P. and Harley's Angels.[2] It was released on DVD in 2006 with three commentaries, behind the scenes pictures, previous film posters, three film trailers, and biographies. The DVD is the 30th Anniversary Director's Cut.[1][4]
References
- Gibron, Bill (January 2, 2007). "Northville Cemetery Massacre". DVD Verdict. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- L. Massingill, Randi (2005). Total Control: The Monkees Michael Nesmith Story. FLEXquarters. p. 125. ISBN 9780965821841. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- Puchalski, Steven (2002). Slimetime: A Guide to Sleazy, Mindless Movies. Headpress. p. 333. ISBN 9781900486217. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- Weinberg, Scott (October 31, 2006). "Northville Cemetery Massacre". DVD Talk. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- "The Northville Cemetery Massacre". TV Guide. Retrieved August 10, 2013.