Psychomania

1973 "The Dead Still Ride... the Living Howl in Terror!"
5.7| 1h30m| en| More Info
Released: 05 January 1973 Released
Producted By: Benmar Productions
Country: United Kingdom
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

A gang of young people call themselves the Living Dead. They terrorize the population from their small town. After an agreement with the devil, if they kill themselves firmly believing in it, they will survive and gain eternal life. Following their leader, they commit suicide one after the other, but things don't necessarily turn out as expected...

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Reviews

Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?
Aedonerre I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.
Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Teddie Blake The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
Richard Dominguez Imagine If You Will Me At 13 Years Old And My First TV In My Own Bedroom ... Imagine Working Hard All Week So I Can Stay Up Late Saturday Night And Watch Late Night TV And "Psychomania" Is The Movie I Watch ... My First (Undead, Zombie) Back From The Dead Movie ... Of Course Not The Movie I Remember In The Dark Of A Late Night Saturday But Still Interesting And A Good Watch ... Yes Campy And Outdated This Movie Never Offers A Dull Moment ...
gavin6942 A gang of young people calling themselves the Living Dead terrorize the population of their small town. After an agreement with the devil, if they kill themselves firmly believing in it, they will return and gain eternal life. Following their leader, they commit suicide one after the other, but things do not necessarily turn out as expected...The film started out as a production from Benmar Productions, which predominately made Spaghetti Westerns in Spain (such as "Captain Apache") but also produced "Horror Express" the year prior. Then along came this script, which was either titled "Psychomania" or "Death Wheelers" (sources seem to disagree equally on the "correct" title). Interestingly, today "Horror Express" is a minor classic, but "Death Wheelers" is forgotten. Why? All the right ingredients are here for the perfect blend of cult classic and respectful film. On the respectable side, you have DP Ted Moore, who had shot several James Bond films and had already won an Oscar for "A Man for All Seasons" (1966). Would an Oscar winner make a bad film? And composer John Cameron is well known for his many film, TV and stage credits, and for his contributions to "pop" recordings, notably those by Donovan, Cilla Black and the group Hot Chocolate. So say what you will, but the camera and sound are as good as any big budget film.On the cult side, you have a great cast of B-movie veterans: Denis Gilmore (Village of the Damned), Nicky Henson (Witchfinder General), Beryl Reid (Dr. Phibes Rises Again) and more. While none of them are big names, that role is filled by George Sanders, a giant in the world of cinema (who, quite frankly, was slumming it here in his final role). Some key moments -- such as the baby in the supermarket -- make this a timeless exploitation gem, and you have to give them credit for beating Roger Corman's "Death Race 2000" (1975) in some respects.When you talk about low budget films, it is dun to note where the (little) money goes. Interestingly, the film's single biggest expense was the mechanics, because (according to Nicky Henson) eight full-time mechanics were needed to keep the motorcycles running. The studio could not afford top-end bikes (especially if they were going to be wrecked), but probably spent almost as much getting these lesser bikes to stay operational. The only expensive cast member was legendary actor George Sanders, so shooting was scheduled around him to get him off the set in five days. The biggest unforeseen expense may have been for stunt man Cliff Deakins, who might have ended up in the hospital three times during filming if the on-set stories are correct. He found himself hitting walls (and water) harder than intended. According to IMDb, this film is his only credit, which really leaves me wondering where he came from and where he went.Apparently, this movie was almost universally hated in the 1970s, both by critics and the cast. Respect has grown for it ever since, and rightfully so. While not outright scary in any way, and without the deepest plot or dialogue, it really is a fun, twisted film and a great concept. The subgenre of "supernatural motorcycle riders" is small, but "Psychomania" is definitely better than either of the "Ghost Rider" films.As always, Arrow Video brings us the best possible version of the movie in terms of picture and sound, and pack in the extras. We get a brand-new interview with star Nicky Henson and "Hell for Leather", a brand-new featurette on the company who supplied the film's costumes (which is more interesting than you might think). Brought over fro ma previous Severin release, we have "Return of the Living Dead", an archive featurette containing interviews actors Henson, Mary Larkin, Denis Gilmore, Roy Holder and Rocky Taylor and "Sound of Psychomania", an archive interview with composer John Cameron. Heck, we even get "Riding Free", an archive interview with 'Riding Free' singer Harvey Andrews proving he can still play (and sing) the tune decades later.A very brief feature (roughly 2 minutes) us "Remastering Psychomania", a look at the film's restoration from the original 35mm black and white separation masters. If you're like me and are still learning the difference between 2K, 4K, interpositive, and other terms of the Blu-ray era, this is a great crash course on what is done to make an old film pop like new.
Michael_Elliott Psychomania (1973)** 1/2 (out of 4)A motorcycle gang called The Living Dead have a rather bizarre leader who is constantly talking about suicide. The man finally decides it's time because he knows that death isn't the end and that he will come back. When he does come back from the dead he talks his other motorcycle riders to do the same and now they go terrorizing their community.You know, it's hard to come up with a stranger horror film than PSYCHOMANIA. I remember the first time I watched it I must have been around the age of eight or nine and I didn't know what to make of it. Looking at it twenty-five years later I can see why it confused me so much and its even more confusing to watch today. I say that because who on Earth would have thought to make a horror film like this especially in 1973? PSYCHOMANIA isn't an awful movie but at the same time it's certainly not great. The film is pretty much something on its own and there's no question that it's original in its own silly way. There's no gore in the movie. Most of the violence is just the motorcycle gang riding around and knocking things out of people's hands. There's really no scares. There's not too much horror either for that matter. Yeah, there's just not too much here.What it does have is a rather bizarre atmosphere where it really does feel as if it's taking place in another universe. What universe that is I don't know but this here is the film's biggest saving grace. While watching the movie I didn't really like it but at the same time there was something about it keeping me glued to the screen. What was it? I have no idea. It is worth noting that this turned out to be George Sanders final movie role.
merklekranz It is difficult to classify "Psychomania". It is not a rebellious, in your face, "Easy Rider" type biker film, that glorifies drug use. There are no rival gangs and no gang rapes. In fact "Psychomania" is so bizarre, there are no other films you can compare it to. Basically the premise is if you kill yourself and believe you will come back from the dead, you will. This is not a full blown black comedy, although the nice assortment of suicides are very creative and certainly qualify as dark humor. After an unsuccessful attempt to take her life, one biker girl is questioned by the already deceased leader "What happened, you're not dead?". Recommended for admirers of strange cinema. - MERK