Knightriders (1981)

75% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(3,049 ratings)

Knightriders may well be the only cycle flick ever to be played out in suits of armor. A hardcase motorcycle gang led by Ed Harris has found itself a neat money-making gimmick. Dressed as the knights of the round table, the cyclists pick up a few bucks at local "renaissance" fairs, selling… More Knightriders may well be the only cycle flick ever to be played out in suits of armor. A hardcase motorcycle gang led by Ed Harris has found itself a neat money-making gimmick. Dressed as the knights of the round table, the cyclists pick up a few bucks at local "renaissance" fairs, selling handicrafts made by the more talented members of the gang. Harris' great rival is Tom Savini, who has his own band of "black knights." Keep an eye out for a chucklesome unbilled bit by novelist Stephen King. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: George A. Romero
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1981 Wide
On DVD: Jul 11, 2000

Critic Reviews

Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
Harris embodies his character with such conviction that the character's struggle to retain the integrity of his dream ultimately exudes a modest poignancy.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Way overlong romanticized nonsense about bikers.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
this film shows that Romero has the ability to tell a good tale outside of the realm of the macabre . . . probably the closest Romero has come to producing an epic film
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
It's only when Romero is aware of what he's up to that the film has its clunkiest moments

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Veronique K

if you're interested in real life "interactive drama" on arthurian tales, you might be interested in this picture. interactive drama is the forefather of on-line video game. and its even earlier form is table-game. arthurian interactive drama is about a bunch of people… More
if you're interested in real life "interactive drama" on arthurian tales, you might be interested in this picture. interactive drama is the forefather of on-line video game. and its even earlier form is table-game. arthurian interactive drama is about a bunch of people who wanna impersonate the characters in arthurian legend, follow the basic rules and characteristics of their roles then immerse themselves in that fictional lifestyle. pretty much like war of warcraft put into reality-play. now this movie is about interactive drama lifestyle blended with motorcycle gang. the puritanical version of hell angels because the leader of the gang insists his crew live by the moral codes of arthur. and in the dialogues, they even bring out marlon brando's "the wild one" (narcissitic self-beautification also for the hell's angels in that hunter thompson's documentary book)... knightriders is kinda experimentally shot and only those who play interactive drama would be interested in it. but frankly interative drama is an absurd idea for me, an escapism, and i cannot help but feel ridiculous when i see those people dress in cheap-materialed costumes and live in a virtual world which really looks too fake to take it seriously. and i also feel strange about why that cult gives such an importance over that role-playing thing they do, and how they make a living? wouldn't that be boring to behave like that 24 hours a day? maybe that're just prejudices out of my criticial mind which demand high sense of realism. it's just like someone weeps over the death of his on-line game character...you feel like to laugh but he's so upset that you try to dissolve your contempt and lessen it into apathy.
Adam M

Has mythologizing as weird as Zardoz... Add melodrama; hippie disillusionment; cut-and-dried philosophical stands about selling-out, redneckophobia; subplots about sexual and gender identity; a way of editing the jousts that makes you feel cheated; and a way of editing most everything… More
Has mythologizing as weird as Zardoz... Add melodrama; hippie disillusionment; cut-and-dried philosophical stands about selling-out, redneckophobia; subplots about sexual and gender identity; a way of editing the jousts that makes you feel cheated; and a way of editing most everything else that makes it look like the coolest industrial film you've ever seen. All added together you end up with... an endearing WTF
jay n

A pre fame Ed Harris is the only decent thing in this weird, way overlong hybrid flick, probably the only renaissance faire biker movie in existence.
Tim S

A classic Romero piece. A shame that it doesn't get the recognition it deserves. Wonderful film.
Barry L

Too silly to mention but it was a great romp.

Cast

            Ed Harris as Billy

            Gary Lahti as Alan

            Tom Savini as Morgan

            Amy Ingersoll as Linet

            Patricia Tallman as Julie

            Christine Forrest as Angie

            Warner Shook as Pippin

            Brother Blue as Merlin

            Cynthia Adler as Rocky

            John Amplas as Whiteface

            Ken Hixon as Steve

            John Hostetter as Tuck

            Albert Amerson as Indian

            Judith Barrett as Musician Trio

            Amanda Davies as Sheila

            David Earle as Bleoboris

            Martin Ferrero as Bontempi

            Ken Foree as Little John

            Harold W. Jones as Bors

            Randy Kovitz as Punch

            Michael P. Moran as Cook

            Bingo O'Malley as Sheriff Rilly

            Scott Reiniger as Marhalt

            Hugh Rouse as Jess

            Stephen King as Hoagie Man

            Iva Jean Saraceni as Helen Dean

            Tim Dileo as Corncook

            John Harrison as Pellinore

            Marty Schiff as Ban

            Robert Williams as Kay

            Don Berry as Bagman
See full cast