Electra Glide In Blue on FilmFour Tuesday February 13th

[LMG]

This cult film is repeated at 23:25 on Filmfour this Tuesday, February 13th, although some listings put it later on in the week instead - I shall keep you posted. Well worth a look:

http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=103073

Hardly screened or available in the UK, this 1973 thriller has elements of social commentary and a genuinely dark sense of humour. While not the masterpiece that some critics have claimed it is, it remains immensely watchable.

Directed by James William Guercio of the Beach Boys, later a record producer for the band Chicago (who have roles in the movie), EGIB looks at the US of Easy Rider from the perspective of 'proper police procedure' with a great deal of sympathy. A scene in which the Highway Patrol are 'immunised' by a sergeant against the varying types of verbal abuse they can expect while policing a weekend rock concert is hilarious.

I always saw parallels with David Lynch in the interplay among the various town figures. The talented actors Billy Green Bush and Elisha Cook have key roles in the film, and Nick Nolte makes an early screen appearance.

Only available briefly on VHS in the 1980's, and only available on DVD in the US, this is the widescreen version which is seldom broadcast.

One of my hidden treasures. Anyone else seen it? I'll post again if it turns up on FilmFour again.

[Sneelock]

I think it's an outstanding film. I seem to remember biting my tongue about it not long ago when people were saying how much they didn't like it.

I can't think of when I liked Blake better. the same goes for Joe Don Baker.
I know it's often considered an "anti-hippy" movie but I really don't see it that way. I think it's a good, character driven movie that deals with the times in which it was made. I think it's really topnotch! the photography is often downright breathtaking and it's the only movie besides "5 Easy Pieces" that I can remember seeing the startling freak Billy Green Bush in!

[Jimbly]

I remember seeing it years ago on BBC2. I liked it a lot, must remember to watch it.

[Stirling Moss]

The slow-mo reverse panning shot at the end is superb. My favourite part of the film.

[Kenji]

I rented this only a few weeks ago and watched for first time - I liked cinematography, but it's a little slow and not "great", but "very good", I think...

[sloopjohnc]

I think we were just leaving jr. high when my friends and I saw it. We liked it so much we went and saw it the next night too.

[Matt Wilson]

I haven't seen it since it came out in the early '70s.
I remember it had the longest credits sequence I'd ever seen.

[Snarfyguy]

I think it's an outstanding film. I seem to remember biting my tongue about it not long ago when people were saying how much they didn't like it.

I didn't like it, but don't bite your tongue over it!

I should give it another chance though.

[sloopjohnc]

I could look it up, but didn't they remake this movie?

I thought they had or were thinking about it.

[LMG]

It's listed on the FilmFour website as being on again on Tuesday, February 13th, at 11:25 pm.

Mind you, the newspapers have it listed as being later in the week and
Battle Royale for that timeslot. I shall keep you updated.

http://www.channel4.com/listings/F4/ind ... position=2

I see the average viewer rating on the FilfmFour site for the film has risen dramatically to 4.4 out of five since the last screening, meaning several people who saw it earlier in the month gave it five stars.

[LMG]

Definitely on tonight (Tuesday 13th).