Rebel Rousers (1969) Reviews

One man must take on a band of roving outlaws in this Harley-fueled variation on High Noon. Paul Collier (Cameron Mitchell) is an architect who has decided to ask his girlfriend Karen (Diane Ladd), who is with child, for her hand in marriage. However, during a trip to the beach with Karen, Paul is confronted by J.J. (Bruce Dern), an old high school friend who has fallen in with a motorcycle gang, the Rebels. The Rebels take one look at Karen and claim her for themselves, staging drag races to determine who will have the right to her, and J.J. is unable (or unwilling) to stop them. Furious and betrayed, Paul tries to round up the townspeople in hopes of outnumbering the Rebels, but he is soon forced to rescue Karen on his own. Shot in 1967, Rebel Rousers also features Jack Nicholson as a biker named Bunny; the film was shelved until 1969, when Nicholson's star-making turns in Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces gave his name (and the film) stronger marquee power. Also keep an eye peeled for Harry Dean Stanton as another one of the Rebels. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi