The Proud Rider is an excellent example of early 1970's independent Canadian film making. I might as well put in the first comment since nobody has attempted this yet. It is a rare film at this time. I contacted a web site "Canuxploitation - your complete guide to Canadian B-film" and noted that their list is not complete without including this film but they responded that they have not heard of The Proud Rider and, at present, is still not in their list.
In summary, The Proud Rider is the story of a young loser, Michael, drifting from job to job (only becomes apparent later in the film) who wants to join the Satan's Choice bike gang to make some easy money. Things don't turn out so good for Michael.
At the beginning of the film there are some memorable lines between Michael and gang member Blue that set the tone for the story. Michael tells Blue "I just can't hack these straight people anymore". Blue tells Michael "I used to work 18 hours a day. I said screw it. Lets make some easy money". Blue tells Michael "You're going to have to stop being such a goof". Michael then leaves his girlfriend and off he goes to party with the gang. The next day Michael is offered a motorcycle and goes riding with the gang. Michael steps out of line and starts to get in to more trouble then he ever imagined. He forgot that Blue told him to stop being a goof earlier in the film. I will not comment on Michael's downfall or how the film ends.
Michael is played by well-known Canadian actor Art Hindle, credited as Jeremy Kane in this film. This was the first feature film that Art appeared in and his strong performance holds the film together. You don't see the actor but the character Michael - totally professional. This was the beginning of a long and distinguished career in film and television which is still in motion. Michael's friend Eric is played by Michael Bell. Eric is a young priest who tries to convince Michael to leave the evil ways. Blue is played by Ted Anderson of the Satan's Choice bikers. He does a good job in this film playing himself. Most of the others in this film, including Michael's girlfriend Jenny are somewhat wooden and seem a bit uncomfortable in front of the camera.
The Proud Rider has a memorable typically 1970's soundtrack with some of the tunes staying with you long after the film ends. The film was produced at Canukr Film Studios which was in Oshawa, Ontario. This studio was best known for producing four Ukrainian language war movies in the 1960's and 1970's. The first East Indian film in North America was also produced at Canukr Studios.
If you like biker films, The Proud Rider is a must see.
In summary, The Proud Rider is the story of a young loser, Michael, drifting from job to job (only becomes apparent later in the film) who wants to join the Satan's Choice bike gang to make some easy money. Things don't turn out so good for Michael.
At the beginning of the film there are some memorable lines between Michael and gang member Blue that set the tone for the story. Michael tells Blue "I just can't hack these straight people anymore". Blue tells Michael "I used to work 18 hours a day. I said screw it. Lets make some easy money". Blue tells Michael "You're going to have to stop being such a goof". Michael then leaves his girlfriend and off he goes to party with the gang. The next day Michael is offered a motorcycle and goes riding with the gang. Michael steps out of line and starts to get in to more trouble then he ever imagined. He forgot that Blue told him to stop being a goof earlier in the film. I will not comment on Michael's downfall or how the film ends.
Michael is played by well-known Canadian actor Art Hindle, credited as Jeremy Kane in this film. This was the first feature film that Art appeared in and his strong performance holds the film together. You don't see the actor but the character Michael - totally professional. This was the beginning of a long and distinguished career in film and television which is still in motion. Michael's friend Eric is played by Michael Bell. Eric is a young priest who tries to convince Michael to leave the evil ways. Blue is played by Ted Anderson of the Satan's Choice bikers. He does a good job in this film playing himself. Most of the others in this film, including Michael's girlfriend Jenny are somewhat wooden and seem a bit uncomfortable in front of the camera.
The Proud Rider has a memorable typically 1970's soundtrack with some of the tunes staying with you long after the film ends. The film was produced at Canukr Film Studios which was in Oshawa, Ontario. This studio was best known for producing four Ukrainian language war movies in the 1960's and 1970's. The first East Indian film in North America was also produced at Canukr Studios.
If you like biker films, The Proud Rider is a must see.
