Stunt Rock (1978)

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Grant Page is our personal hero. An Australian stuntman known for his unbelievably dangerous stunt work, here he gets his own movie so he can display his charm to the audience as well. Director Brian Trenchard-Smith fashioned an innovative cross between a documentary, a fictional film and a concert film, and its ahead-of-its-time (even today) nature ensures pure entertainment that will appeal to any generation. What's so cool about Stunt Rock, besides the stunts and music, is that the filmmakers were smart enough not to weigh it down with an involved plot. There's really no time for that, it has to be packed full with stunts and the music of the L.A. rock band Sorcery.What happens is, Grant comes to Los Angeles to work on a new TV show starring Monique van de Ven, called Undercover Girl. Interestingly, her smarmy agent is played by Richard Blackburn, the director of the great Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural (1973). The director of the show is played by Ron Raley, whose student film at UCLA was photographed by none other than Jim Morrison of The Doors fame when Morrison, Raley and Blackburn were at UCLA film school together. A very early appearance by Phil Hartman as the assistant director passes in a flash. Anyway, Grant ends up in a relationship with a magazine reporter (Margaret Gerard, wife of Trenchard-Smith) who is doing an article on stunt men. Meanwhile, Grant's cousin is in the stage show for Sorcery, who re-enact cosmic battles between good and evil featuring wizards and demons while the band crank out their rockin' tunes.This hugely entertaining film is just too awesome for words. The great Trenchard-Smith blasted out a tour-de-force of music and action - a majority of the movie is footage of Page's death-defying stunts while Sorcery music blares on the soundtrack. Page's insane, awe-inspiring work is so eye-popping, Trenchard-Smith puts it on split screens because one screen just isn't enough! The movie also has plenty of humor, as evidenced by the masked keyboard player with the funny voice (Doug Loch). Pure fun, the simplicity of the execution, married with the powerful combination of the music and the action, guarantees Stunt Rock the status of cinematic masterpiece. Trenchard-Smith described this gem as "a love letter to stuntmen in general and Grant Page in particular", and that love comes through in spades, and the overall upbeat, positive vibe is totally winning.Much of that has to do with the presence, music and magic tricks of Sorcery. If the filmmakers had gone with Foreigner or Van Halen (two other potential choices), it just would not have been the same, and Stunt Rock would have been an entirely different experience.If you don't like Stunt Rock, please seek psychiatric help immediately. You are a danger to the community.NOTE: A lot of the information in this review came from the excellent Code Red 2-DVD set. Buy it right now.For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

What a treasure from the 70's this film is. I recently watched this film and it was a true joy for me. I worked in the film industry as a camera man in L.A. back in the 70's and 80's when this was being made. I remember the buzz in Hollywood/L.A. about this picture about stunt work in the movies. The filming in part,took place in Hollywood Ca. and at the MGM studio's in Culver City Ca. I enjoyed the insight of the Director,Brian Trenchard Smith, in presenting the contribution stuntmen made in making motion pictures back then. Keep in mind, no CGI in 78', and most of the stuntmen working then took some pretty incredible risks to get the shot called for by the directors, to make scenes look as real as possible for the films they worked in. The stuntman,Grant Page, was excellent in the lead roll as he talks about the business of stuntwork in film, and what it took to be a stuntman back then. It is a inside look from the stuntman who made it look real. I also want to say something about the music. This band "SORCERY" from L.A. was a well respected band in Hollywood. They had a huge following as I remember. On one occasion I remember there was a line around the block to see them at the "Whiskey" on Sunset Blvd, when they were performing there. Sometime after that, I also had the pleasure of seeing Sorcery perform, playing with Van Halen (SORCERY was the headliner)and I never forgot them either. They had the most amazing live stage show I ever saw. They were unforgettable, and very accomplished musicians as well. A true a one of a kind group. Sorcery presented the battle of "good vs. evil" as Merlin against Satan played out live on stage. You really had to see this show live to appreciate it! They blended magic and music together like no one had ever done,or seen before. Very entertaining and they were years ahead of their time. It was Brians T. Smith's, masterstroke bringing these two entities together,for his vision for the film Stuntrock. Sorcery and Grant Page were perfect for this project. The movie showed only a small part of SORCERY's live stage show. I also think Sorcery is responsible for a large amount of the success now seen for the picture some 30 years after being made in 1978, and they are a major contributer to it's present day underground cult status. The musicianship Sorcery showed in concert was second to none! I know the musicians from Sorcery played on other movies,did TV music work, records and did Dick Clark specials as well from that period. Brian's vision to make this film was somewhat limited,with a small budget and short time to complete, however he was smart to put Sorcery and Grant Page together for this unique look at stuntwork and music together. I will watch this again and again,for it's entertainment value and Sorcery's great music.

I picked this up at the video store because of Tarantino's recommendation ("If you don't like (this), go f&^% yourself!") on the box... seemed like a ringing endorsement.... I was expecting something a bit more like "Death Proof"... not much actual violence in this one tho, or plot, of character, or dialogue. Look at the poster. It's all there. Stunts, and rock. It goes back and forth. A week or so in the life of an LA band that does a crappy magic show, at a level that you'd maybe see in one of the lesser casinos off the Strip, and an Aussie stuntman new in town finding his feet... They work, they meet girls, they party. End of story.The band obviously needed all that stuff because they are frankly second-tier, and playing a style that was already dated in 1978. It has to be said that the stunt bits in the film are genuinely spinetingling - that Aussie fellow really is something, and the film seems largely motivated by love and respect for the "art". I hung it there to see what crazy thing he'd do next. Just wish he could have found a better vehicle.

Although this movie is somewhat dated, the rock band Sorcery makes it worth watching. I saw Sorcery live in LA at a concert where non-other than Van Halen opened for them. The movie showcases their music and their spectacular stage show. Not too much bad language so its OK for even little kids.