There are a few compelling scenes, and just LOOK at that sweet poster. It's not that great, though. Maybe watch this if you're a die-hard CHiPs fan, or if you want to see Peter Cetera as a dirty hippie.

Where have all the superstar cinematographers gone?

This movie is full of great stuff: compelling performances from Robert Blake, Elisha Cook, and Mitchell Ryan, a killer soundtrack, a wonderfully off-kilter script, and editing that's so perfectly of its time (yet manages to never drown in over cutting or trippy bullshit). You could dump the title sequence in the middle of The Parallax View training film and I don't think anyone would notice.

All of this is fine and dandy, but the real star of the show is Conrad Hall. His camerawork is off the charts wonderful, whether it's framing inserts or a ludicrous motorcycle chases through a residential area.

I have no idea how much of the film's look was dictated by director James William Guercio, but I'm guessing since he gave up his salary to hire Hall, he clearly knew what he was doing.

And what a killer ending. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

The one thing that strikes me the most is how well directed is this movie. Director James William Guercio has always been involved in the music business but he could've had a great career as a director. He was a manager for the band Chicago for some time and you can see a young Peter Cetera as a biker in this film. Guercio's only film is a masterpiece. Fantastic final shot at the end.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

One of the most intriguing movies of the 1970s. Uniquely situates itself between the counterculture cash-ins of the 1960s and the stylish cop fetishism of the 1980s, and serves as a effective critique of both angles.

James William Guercio’s Electra Glide in Blue is a slightly odd film to categorize. At its core it’s a 70s bike flick, but tonally, it’s all over the place. It originally premiered at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival and was immediately reviled by critics. This was mostly likely because of the lackluster script that attempted to be a jack of all trades but fizzled out on nearly every level. A young Robert Blake starred in the picture and it was interesting to see him before he became a deranged lunatic murderer. A strong introduction and climax make the film worth checking out, but the dull second act makes this nothing more than a mediocre cult flick.

Full Review: Here

Robert Blake is a strange icon of cinephilia but Jim Guercio's stranger: producer of eleven Chicago albums, one-time owner of CMT, and director of a single masterpiece, Electra Glide in Blue, the Monument Valley-shot Easy Rider of cop movies, which he made exactly $1 on, giving his director's salary to Conrad Hall, the DP.

Interesting existential character study of a highway patrolman trying to balance his sense of right with his desire for promotion. A Hell of a lot more interesting than it sounds thanks to inventive direction, weird characters and strong acting performances.