Nam's Angels
Encyclopedia
Nam's Angels is a 1970
action film
, that was filmed in the Philippines
. This film was directed by Jack Starrett
. This film was originally released with the title, The Losers.
type bikers called "The Devil's Advocates" involved in the Vietnam war
. They are sent to the Cambodia
n jungle on Yamaha bikes in order to rescue an American diplomat
/CIA Agent (Starrett).
The biker gang is led by Link (William Smith
), a Vietnam veteran and the brother of an Army Major (Dan Kemp) who has recruited them. His gang consists of Duke (Adam Roarke
) also a Vietnam veteran, Limpy (Paul Koslo
), Speed (Eugene Cornelius), and another Vietnam veteran Dirty Denny (Houston Savage who was killed in a road accident not long after completing the film). They are under the orders of Army Captain Jackson (Bernie Hamilton
).
The gang modifies their motorcycles in a garage run by Vic Diaz
. They weld armour plating with submachine guns on the handlebars. Limpy drives a three wheeler modified from a Harley-Davidson frame with a Volkswagen rear end that is armed with heavy .50 calibre machine guns and a multiple rocket launcher from a helicopter. In order to open fire on enemy soldiers in trees or towers the gang do wheelie
s whilst firing their weapons.
" of the Hell's Angels motorcycle club sent a telegram to President Johnson offering the Angels as "gorilla fighters" (sic) in the Vietnam War
. Though the President turned them down, the idea became an idea for a Vietnam War movie made in the Philippines using sets and crew from Too Late the Hero
.
William Smith stated that the original ending had the rescued diplomat die whilst the Hell's Angels lived, but Jack Starrett and Smith rewrote Alan Caillou's screenplay. Smith also stated that the earring he wore in the film was given to him by Hell's Angels during another motorcycle film he made.
Paul Koslo was taught to ride by the film's stuntman Gary McLarty.
Originally titled Nam's Angels the title was changed before release into the more generic The Losers with composer Stu Phillips
writing a song incorporating the title.
"The Devil's Advocates" gang also appears in the film Werewolves on Wheels
.
's Pulp Fiction
when Fabienne is watching "A motorcycle movie, I'm not sure the name."
1970 in film
The year 1970 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 9 - Larry Fine, the second member of The Three Stooges, suffers a massive stroke, therefore ending his career....
action film
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
, that was filmed in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. This film was directed by Jack Starrett
Jack Starrett
Jack Starrett was an American actor and film director. He is credited as Claude Ennis Starrett, Jr. in some of his films...
. This film was originally released with the title, The Losers.
Plot
The plot involves a gang of Hells AngelsHells Angels
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a worldwide one-percenter motorcycle gang and organized crime syndicate whose members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. Their primary motto...
type bikers called "The Devil's Advocates" involved in the Vietnam war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. They are sent to the Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
n jungle on Yamaha bikes in order to rescue an American diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
/CIA Agent (Starrett).
The biker gang is led by Link (William Smith
William Smith (actor)
William Smith is an American actor who has appeared in almost 300 feature films and television productions.Smith began his acting career at the age of 8 in 1942...
), a Vietnam veteran and the brother of an Army Major (Dan Kemp) who has recruited them. His gang consists of Duke (Adam Roarke
Adam Roarke
Adam Roarke was an American actor and film director.Roarke was born Richard Jordan Gerler in Brooklyn, New York, where he was a street gang member during his youth...
) also a Vietnam veteran, Limpy (Paul Koslo
Paul Koslo
Paul Koslo is a German-Canadian actor.-Career:Koslo started his career in such 1970's cult films as Nam's Angels a.k.a. The Losers, , Mr. Majestyk, Vanishing Point, Joe Kidd and The Stone Killer...
), Speed (Eugene Cornelius), and another Vietnam veteran Dirty Denny (Houston Savage who was killed in a road accident not long after completing the film). They are under the orders of Army Captain Jackson (Bernie Hamilton
Bernie Hamilton
Bernie Hamilton was an American actor.Hamilton was born in East Los Angeles and attended Oakland Technical High School, where he first became interested in acting. In films from 1950, he laboured in bit roles for years before getting noticed in the film One Potato, Two Potato , the story of an...
).
The gang modifies their motorcycles in a garage run by Vic Diaz
Vic Díaz
Vic Díaz is a Filipino former character actor who mostly portrayed villains. He is also the father of Teddy Diaz, the founding guitarist of the Filipino Rock band The Dawn. He appeared in Jack Hill's women in prison exploitation film "The Big Bird Cage," shot in the Philippines...
. They weld armour plating with submachine guns on the handlebars. Limpy drives a three wheeler modified from a Harley-Davidson frame with a Volkswagen rear end that is armed with heavy .50 calibre machine guns and a multiple rocket launcher from a helicopter. In order to open fire on enemy soldiers in trees or towers the gang do wheelie
Wheelie
In vehicle acrobatics, a wheelie is a vehicle maneuver in which the front wheel or wheels come off the ground due to extreme torque being applied to the rear wheel or wheels. Wheelies are usually associated with bicycles and motorcycles, but can be done with other vehicles such as cars, especially...
s whilst firing their weapons.
Production
On 19 November 1965, Sonny Barger the "Maximum LeaderMaximum Leader
The title of "Maximum Leader" has been used by, or to describe, a number of politicians, including, but not limited to:* Fidel Castro...
" of the Hell's Angels motorcycle club sent a telegram to President Johnson offering the Angels as "gorilla fighters" (sic) in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Though the President turned them down, the idea became an idea for a Vietnam War movie made in the Philippines using sets and crew from Too Late the Hero
Too Late the Hero
Too Late the Hero is a 1970 Anglo-American war film directed by Robert Aldrich, and starring Michael Caine, Henry Fonda, Cliff Robertson, Ken Takakura, Denholm Elliott, Ian Bannen, Lance Percival, Ronald Fraser, Harry Andrews and Percy Herbert.-Plot:...
.
William Smith stated that the original ending had the rescued diplomat die whilst the Hell's Angels lived, but Jack Starrett and Smith rewrote Alan Caillou's screenplay. Smith also stated that the earring he wore in the film was given to him by Hell's Angels during another motorcycle film he made.
Paul Koslo was taught to ride by the film's stuntman Gary McLarty.
Originally titled Nam's Angels the title was changed before release into the more generic The Losers with composer Stu Phillips
Stu Phillips
Stu Phillips is an American composer of film scores and television-series theme music, conductor and record producer.-Career:...
writing a song incorporating the title.
"The Devil's Advocates" gang also appears in the film Werewolves on Wheels
Werewolves on Wheels
Werewolves on Wheels is a 1971 American exploitation film that blends two genres: the outlaw biker film and the traditional horror movie.-Plot:...
.
Pulp Fiction
A glimpse of the movie appears in Quentin TarantinoQuentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s, he began his career as an independent filmmaker with films employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence...
's Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction (film)
Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American crime film directed by Quentin Tarantino, who co-wrote its screenplay with Roger Avary. The film is known for its rich, eclectic dialogue, ironic mix of humor and violence, nonlinear storyline, and host of cinematic allusions and pop culture references...
when Fabienne is watching "A motorcycle movie, I'm not sure the name."
External links
- New York Times film review http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D06EED61F3EEE34BC4E53DFBE66838B669EDE
- http://www.phoenixhome.org/guests/losers.htm
- http://www.nanarland.com/Chroniques/Main.php?id_film=machinesdudiable