Hell Ride was written and directed by its star, Larry Bishop. Bishop was a star of late 60’s biker pics. In 1996 he directed the little known mobster indie Mad Dog and Time. This new film is his second directing effort. He is probably best known as the strip club manager in Kill Bill Vol. 2. Quentin Tarantino is obviously a fan of his; he is executive producer of this movie.
Hell Ride is a biker exploitation movie. There is violence, drug use, nudity, and sex. Bishop as a director has clearly been influenced by Tarantino with his “hip” dialogue and detached attitude towards violence.
Bishop plays Pistolero, the “Pres” of the biker gang, the Victors. His second in command is The Gent (Michael Madsen). Dennis Hopper plays Eddie Zero, a former member of the gang and best friend of Pistolero. Now he may or may not be loyal to the Victors. David Carradine plays The Deuce. Years ago he was friends with Pistolero and a member of the Victors. But they had a falling out in 1976 and he started a rival gang the Six Six Sixes.
The Deuce and Pistolero’s falling out was over a woman, Cherokee Kisum (Julia Jones). Pistolero loved her, but she lived with The Deuce. Cherokee and The Deuce were selling drugs, but Cherokee kept some of the money from The Deuce. On July 4, 1976 The Deuce killed Cherokee in front of her son. But before Cherokee died she hid the treasure and made Pistolero promise to keep it safe for her son.
In the present day The Deuce has become a legitimate businessman. Billy Wings (Vinny Jones) is now the gang leader of the 666ers. The 666ers and the Victors are still bitter rivals. The 666ers seem to be making more money than the Victors, which is causing unrest within the Victors. Pistolero is more concerned with finding Cherokee’s son and exacting his revenge on The Deuce. Comanche (Eric Balfour) is a new member of the Victors. It is a bit of an open secret within the gang that he is actually Sonny Kisum. Pistolero sets in motion his plan to revenge The Deuce and give Sonny the treasure. Meanwhile he most also deal with the 666ers and traitors in the Victors.
As you may be able to gather, the plot is much too convoluted for an exploitation movie. Characters are introduced only to be shot or to sleep with Pistolero. The movie jumps back and forth between present day and the '70s. There are double crosses, apparent double crosses, and joke double crosses. Unlike Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs the characters are not likable enough and the story is not interesting enough to warrant repeat viewings to aid comprehension.
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