Maniacs on Wheels

Okay I accept it was early in his career and they were still trying to find a niche for him but it was a real masterstroke to cast Dirk Bogarde as a speedway star and give him a Sid Field Slasher Green moustache. As long as they were playing silly buggers they gave Bonar Colleano a pipe. A pipe! As far as plots go this is Number 5b, the one about the poor boy who's determined to get to the top at any price - nine times out of ten he's a boxer (see: John Garfield, Body And Soul) though he can also be a musician (see: John Garfield, Humoresque, Kirk Douglas, Young Man With A Horn) - this time around he's a speedway rider, the only original thing in the whole movie and Dirk Bogarde is about as convincing as a biker as Arthur Mullard would be as James Bond. For Bogarde completists and novelty buffs only.

Although the story line is pretty typical for movies of this period, formulaic, predictable, and with bits of romance, pathos, and patriotism thrown for filler, the film is an interesting, if too short, lesson in speedway history for us motorcycle buffs. Even though I have enjoyed speedway racing on the TV (when I can get it), I had no idea it was such a huge sport so early on. Another fascinating lesson is that it was held in such fascination and revulsion, being noisy, dirty, and dangerous. I guess motorcycle riding might always carry those cachets. This movie is what it is and I can't fault it a bit, except it needed more bikes!

Dirk Bogarde appears in this film as a young, working class lad who achieves fame and fortune (and a nasty little moustache) as a speedway bike rider during the 1940's. Of course, his career is interrupted by the war.

It is a little laboured at times, but you have to admire the cameramen who created the footage of the races with such limited technology.

I spent a lot of the film trying to work out where the swagman theme was supposed to come from - aside from using Waltzing Matilda as the theme. Later on I realised his faithful wife Pat, and her brother, were supposed to be Australian. The brother later retired to Australia to go 'sheep farming'.

Strewth!

Aside from the odd rendition of "Waltzing Matilda" - I am unsure as to the reason for the title, but don't be put off - it's about speedway not swag (or sheep). Dirk Bogarde is at his most alluring as "Bill", a man who gets laid off from his job testing lightbulbs and who takes up the sport of dirt-track speedway. Discovering he has a bit of a penchant for it, he is soon earning £90-a week and but for the intervention of WWII could have been a true champion. After the war, though, his wife "Pat" (Renée Asherson) gives him an ultimatum despite him struggling to get so much as a milk round to make ends meet. Which path will he choose? It's got a strong supporting cast this - James Hayter, Moira Lister, Bill Owen, Sid James, Thora Hird and Bonar Colleano - and there is just enough race action to give us an indication that this was an hugely popular, and pretty dangerous sport that saw crowds of tens of thousands turn up in the hope of some excitement. The romantic shenanigans clutter it up a bit, especially his "Lister" period, but it's predominately quite a well made, fast moving, drama that touches subtly on the lack of opportunities for many a soldier after demobilisation.

A worthy movie set during WWII and focuses on a famous speedway motorcycle rider and his comeback after injuries suffered in war. Also, some romance thrown in to make the hero motivated and make everything turn out right. As I remember it quite well, I can't begin to guess where the aka title "Maniacs on Wheels" came from as it would be a ludicrous description of the movie content. Today's generation of motorsports enthusiasts would certainly be surprised at this oldie that still would capture the interest. Would be a great vehicle to re-make into today's hi-tech racing and extreme sports interest. Motorcycle racing has never been more popular and millions are spent on it every year. Come on Hollywood, lets do this one again before the Brits decide they should make another! Sir Dirk Bogarde could be replaced by our own World Champ Bruce Penhall who is no stranger to Hollywood and the world of Speedway Motorcycles.