poe426
KNIGHTRIDERS is the kind of imaginative independent movie (like the original NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and MARTIN and DAWN OF THE DEAD) that puts the lie to the notion that only Hollywood can produce good films. KNIGHTRIDERS lacks the "sameness" typical of most Hollywood movies and is, instead, suffused with a strong '60s sensibility- and a genuine sentimentality. Romero seems to be saying that, if this is NOT how we are, it's certainly how we OUGHT to be. "If you die," one character tells Ed Harris, "your ideals die with you." To which Harris replies: "The TRUTH is our Code." KNIGHTRIDERS is a "busy" movie, to be sure, with a great deal going on (and familiar faces abound, including Stephen King chewing the scenery on the sidelines), but it's all happening under the sure-handed direction of the Master of Maverick Movie makers. Michael Gornick's cinematography is as gorgeous as ever, and the score by Donald Rubenstein is itself enough to bring a tear to the eye. The motorcycle stunts are spectacular and rival anything anyone else has ever put on screen. Romero and Company crafted something special this time out; this was, in retrospect, The Golden Age of Romero. Things would never really be the same again, "but still, alas, the echoes first that rang..."
gavin6942
A medieval reenactment troupe find it increasingly difficult to keep their family-like group together, with pressure from local law enforcement, interest from entertainment agents and a growing sense of delusional from their leader.We have many Romero regulars here in a type of film not generally associated with Romero: Christine Forrest, John Amplas, Tom Savini, Ken Foree, Michael Gornick, Scott Reiniger, Patricia Tallman. Although Ed Harris was not a regular, even he might be counted considering his appearance in the next picture ("Creepshow").Generally, I prefer Romero when he wanders from the living dead. His first two attempts are amazing and will remain legendary forever, but then it all went sharply downhill (and he seems unable to stop). But his other ventures -- "Creepshow", "Monkeyshines" and "Martin", for example -- are just as good or better but largely overlooked.This one is even farther from his pattern, not really horror in any respect (a genre he has rarely strayed from). Although a bit long, and at times a bit confused (some plot elements seem thrown in for no real reason), it is a fun idea that has surprisingly not been turned into real life. Who would not want to see motorcycles with riders jousting?Trying to find a "hero" in this film is hard to do. Obviously our protagonist is Billy (Harris), who has a strong belief system and leads his knights. Injury and risk of death is accepted by him, and each morning begins with a flogging (for reasons I must have missed). And yet, he may not be a hero because he follows his ideals too far. When the attorney / agent tells him that he must fund his ideals rather than let them die with him, that is sound advice. But Billy cannot see it.Some credit should be given for addressing the issue of homosexuality. Through the lens of 2014, it might seem a bit silly the way the characters approach the issue. But in 1981, I imagine this was a bold move for a film that wanted a wide audience. What it had to do with the main plot is unclear (apparently nothing), but I am impressed that a romance was shown positively without being the butt of jokes.
nakedmanwithgun
I'm going to give this a 5 because it's so freakin' twisted.(spoiler alerts ahead....)I'm also going to be honest and admit that I've always thought Romero was incredibly overrated. His early zombie flicks are interesting to a point, but that's it. His later films,especially that godawful last one about the video cameras, are flat out terrible. But this movie is just a big laughathon. I found this videotape in a $3 bin in some hole in the wall video store in Sacramento about 12 years ago.I still have it, and have even won a couple bets with it because no one can believe George made it. The acting is terrible, the subject matter is hilarious, and it looks like it was shot by my little brother. If you like to watch incredibly ill advised movies, I say seek it out. It's a rockin good time. But in all sincerity, if you take it at face value, you need to to be evaluated. Put it this way: it's like "Fame," but with bikers with Camelot fixations. Too funny.(spoiler alert) It totally made sense to me when Billy committed suicide at the end.I fully realize I sound like a snob, but frankly I could care less. This is the kind of crap that self important and delusional filmmakers like Romero make after taking their own press too seriously.
Bozo
I liked this movie a lot, I really did. George Romero is one of my favorite directors and always manages to make a great movie in my opinion. His "Dead" series are my favorite zombie movies. "Martin" was a great vampire movie, and "Creepshow" was a unique movie. This movie was also very good, its only problem was that there were a lot of things that weren't properly explained or introduced. A lot of characters were left unnamed and weren't given a proper introduction. Also, a lot of actions were never properly explained, and many scenes seemed to pop out of nowhere and vanish without a trace (as many characters did). However, the story was excellent. And a lot of the great actors I had seen in other Romero movies were here: Billy Harris (Creepshow), my man Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead, Martin, Creepshow 2, Land of the Dead), Patricia Tallman (Night of the Living Dead(1990)), John Amplas (Martin, Day of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Creepshow), Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead), Scott H. Reiniger (Dawn of the Dead), David Early (Dawn of the Dead, Creepshow), Taso N. Stavrakis (Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead), James Baffico (Dawn of the Dead), Joseph Pilato (Day of the Dead), Anthony Dileo Jr. (Day of the Dead), and even Stephen King (Creepshow). The cast was great, the equipment they used was great and realistic looking. I give this hit or miss movie a 7/10.
AD
