Jack Cardiff was a celebrated cinematographer, notably having worked on Powell/Pressburger classics Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes. Cardiff was also an active director, having helmed over half a dozen films, earning a Best Director Oscar nomination for Sons and Lovers in 1960. Released in 1968, Cardiff’s bikesploitation film Girl on a Motorcycle, was a swinging ’60s funfest, replete with acid-inspired flashback sequences, a cool soundtrack and Mick Jagger’s then girlfriend, Marianne Faithfull. More than forty years after its release, Girl on a Motorcycle doesn’t hold up as a cohesive film (if it ever did), but if you like ’60s cinematic kitsch, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Married just two months, Rebecca has decided she wants out. Putting on her best skin-tight leathers, Rebecca hops on her hog and heads out to meet—her lover, Daniel (Alain Delon). It had been Daniel who had “liberated” her. One night, having just rejected her fiancés pre-marital advances, Daniel snuck in her window and made mad, passionate love to her. However, Daniel’s not the relationship type; as a wedding gift he gave her the Harley she now riding. So not only did he open her eyes to sexuality, but he introduced her to freedom and the open road! In contrast, her husband, the bookish and quiet Raymond (Roger Mutton), is oppressive. A school teacher, he never takes a tough stand on anything, and just wants Rebecca to be happy. Daniel on the other hand, is gruff and can be downright cruel—in Rebecca’s eyes, manly.

As Rebecca rides her motorcycle from Switzerland to Germany, intent on giving herself over to Daniel, she recalls her relationships with the two men, in a kind of psychedelic dream. Having zipped herself into nothing but this skin-tight leather suit, she feels empowered! I have no idea if Jack Cardiff and his crew originally set out to make a film about the sexual revolution, but the end result might be best referred to as Euro-trash.  One look at the trailer and it’s clear that the film was marketed as little more than debauchery on a bike. Surprisingly, even the cinematography is half baked. Rebecca’s sense of freedom on the road is a hard sell when half the time it’s shot with blatantly awful rear projection and much of the rest makes it obvious that the actors are being towed.

For fans of Marianne Faithfull, Girl on a Motorcycle might be a fun watch. Just about 22 when the film was made, it’s impossible to deny that Faithfull looks beautiful here. Cardiff employs plenty of long shots, allowing Faithfull’s best “assets” to shine. I guess her acting is okay, but that’s not what she’s there for. As for the usually reliable Alain Delon, he looks bored; perhaps, he knew this was a ridiculous film, but wanted the quick paycheck.

Cap all this off with a truly perplexing ending, and Girl on a Motorcycle is a whole lot of nothing. Is it really a tale about the cost of female empowerment? A goodbye to the swinging sixties? Who knows. But now, courtesy of Kino, fans can see this long forgotten piece of sixties kitsch on Blu-ray.

Presented in the theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1, Kino’s 1080p transfer preserves the psychedelic colors very well. There is no artifacting to speak of. There is evidence of DNR use, but it doesn’t affect the overall presentation.

The disc’s DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack preserves the film’s original mono very nicely. The mix does seem to put more emphasis on the music than the dialogue, but voices are clear throughout.

The following special features are included:

  • Audio Commentary: Jack Cardiff’s track is a little slow, but he offers some great stories on the making of the film, including how they achieved some of the psychedelic effects.
  • Theatrical Trailer (SD, 00:50)
  • Gallery (1080p): A user directed gallery with around twenty stills and posters.