The Wild One (1953) Review

Storyline

Cop-hating Johnny Strabler is recounting the fateful events that led up to the "whole mess" as he calls it, his role in the mess and whether he could have stopped it from happening. The Black Rebels, a motorcycle gang of which
Of courses, Marlon Brando on his cycle is an iconic image.

But the movie itself is rather tame, and uninteresting. I've viewed this film three times, because I was looking for something. But it's not there.

Movie for me is tough going....the only bright spot being the classic comeback line to "What are you rebelling against?"

I've always found Marlon Brando to be overrated. He's great in "A Streetcar Named Desire". Wonderful in "On the Waterfront".

But he's right up there with Richard Burton as far as great actors who made countless bad movies.

You want real teenage angst, I would recommend James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause". Even the dated "Blackboard Jungle" is more interesting than this rather tame "Wild One".Johnny is the leader, cause a ruckus using intimidation wherever they go, with their actions bordering on the unlawful. On the day of the mess, they invade a motorcycle racing event, at which they cause a general disturbance culminating with one of the gang members stealing a second place trophy to give to Johnny. Despite not being the larger winning trophy, it symbolizes to Johnny his leadership within the group. Their next stop is a small town where their disturbance and intimidation tactics continue. Some in town don't mind their arrival as long as they spend money. Harry Bleeker, the local sheriff, doesn't much like them but is so ineffective and weak that he doesn't do anything to stop them...