Knightriders [Blu-ray]

Overview

Knightriders may well be the only cycle flick ever to be played out in suits of armor. A hardcase motorcycle gang led by Ed Harris has found itself a neat money-making gimmick. Dressed as the knights of the round table, the cyclists pick up a few bucks at local "renaissance" fairs, selling handicrafts made by the more talented members of the gang. Harris' great rival is Tom Savini, who has his own band of "black knights." Keep an eye out for a chucklesome unbilled bit by novelist Stephen King.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/26/2013
UPC:	0826663141610
Original Release:	1981
Rating:	R
Source:	Shout Factory
Region Code:	A
Language:	English
Time:	2:25:00
Sales rank:	16,292

Special Features

Audio Commentary; New interviews with Writer/Director George A. Romero, Tom Savini and Ed Harris; Theatrical trailer; TV spots

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Ed Harris	Billy
Gary Lahti	Alan
Tom Savini	Morgan
Amy Ingersoll	Linet
Patricia Tallman	Julie
Christine Forrest	Angie
Warner Shook	Pippin
John Amplas	Whiteface
Ken Hixon	Steve
John Hostetter	Tuck
Don Berry	Bagman
Amanda Davies	Sheila
Martin Ferrero	Bontempi
Ken Foree	Little John
Harold Wayne Jones	Bors,Bors
Randy Kovitz	Punch
Michael P. Moran	Cook
Scott Reiniger	Marhalt
Maureen Sadusk	Judy
Ronald Carrier	Hector
Tom Dileo	Corncook
David Early	Bleoboris
John Harrison	Pellinore
Stephen King	Hoagie Man
Cynthia Adler	Rocky
Brother Blue	Merlin
Albert Amerson	Indian
Marty Schiff	Ban
Bingo O'Malley	Sheriff Rilly
Iva Saraceni	Helen Dean
Hugh Rouse	Jess
Robert Williams	Kay
Judith Barrett	Musician Trio
Donald A. Rubinstein	Composer

Technical Credits

George Romero

Gary Davis	Stunts,Stunts
Salah M. Hassanein	Executive Producer,Producer
George Romero	Director,Screenwriter
Richard P. Rubinstein	Producer
Tom Savini	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

Its premise -- cyclists who stage motorhead renaissance fairs -- might seem jokey, and certainly the humor of the situation isn't lost on director George Romero, but in this rare departure from the horror genre, Romero has bigger themes to explore. Taking his pseudo-medieval milieu one step further, his motley crew of cycling enthusiasts find themselves re-enacting Arthurian narratives. The film creates such a memorable clash of myth and modernity, of stories of England's past and America's frontier, that its moments of overindulgence don't really register. As the film's Arthur, Ed Harris' commanding presence helps elucidate the seriousness of the themes at work. Like the world of the Dead films in miniature, the society he oversees threatens to disintegrate, and his sorrowful performance makes clear his awareness of his situation's tragic potential. All the while, Romero never loses track of his other duty: to deliver the action. The well-staged fight scenes -- still the best (and only) examples of cycle jousting -- lose their oddness and gain excitement as the film progresses. Little-seen at the time, in retrospect, this film looks like one of the director's most personal, most mature efforts.

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