Northville Cemetery Massacre | |
---|---|
Directed by |
William Dear Thomas L. Dyke |
Written by | William Dear Thomas L. Dyke |
Produced by | William Dear Thomas L. Dyke |
Starring | David Hyry J. Craig Collicut Carson Jackson Nick Nolte (voice only) |
Cinematography | William Dear Thomas L. Dyke |
Edited by | Christa Kindt Jerry Wellen |
Music by | Michael Nesmith |
Distributed by | Cannon Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 82 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]