Maniacs on Wheels (1949) User Reviews

Not many swagmen to be seen

[dj_kennett · 7/10 · 25 May 2001]

Dirk Bogarde appears in this film as a young, working class lad who achieves fame and fortune (and a nasty little moustache) as a speedway bike rider during the 1940's. Of course, his career is interrupted by the war.

It is a little laboured at times, but you have to admire the cameramen who created the footage of the races with such limited technology.

I spent a lot of the film trying to work out where the swagman theme was supposed to come from - aside from using Waltzing Matilda as the theme. Later on I realised his faithful wife Pat, and her brother, were supposed to be Australian. The brother later retired to Australia to go 'sheep farming'.

Strewth!

Worth seeing even if you don't care about motorcycle racing.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 25 August 2013]

While I have no interest in motorcycle racing, I am a big fan of Dirk Bogarde and his very natural way of acting. So, despite this being the sort of thing that I'd normally not see, I gave it a look.

Bill Fox (Bogarde) wants to be a professional motorcycle racer back in pre-war Britain. However, at the same time, it is very dangerous and the folks in charge don't do a lot to take care of the drivers if they become seriously injured. Neither of these things bother Bill at first--he just wants to win. However, after he gets married, this causes a huge problem in his marriage--one that corresponds with the beginning of WWII. What's to happen with Bill? Now he's a soldier and his wife has left him?

This film seems to give Bogarde less of a chance to really act than his later films since his character has a rather restricted emotional range. But it's worth seeing--with an interesting plot, some decent race footage and some interesting character development through the course of the film. Not great but quite good.

Interesting history lesson

[unopesojuano · 5/10 · 13 February 2011]

Although the story line is pretty typical for movies of this period, formulaic, predictable, and with bits of romance, pathos, and patriotism thrown for filler, the film is an interesting, if too short, lesson in speedway history for us motorcycle buffs. Even though I have enjoyed speedway racing on the TV (when I can get it), I had no idea it was such a huge sport so early on. Another fascinating lesson is that it was held in such fascination and revulsion, being noisy, dirty, and dangerous. I guess motorcycle riding might always carry those cachets. This movie is what it is and I can't fault it a bit, except it needed more bikes!

One of very few, if not the only Speedway Movie!

[gerry-88 · 1 August 2004]

Once a Jolly Swagman was, for its time, a rather unusual film. Why? Because it featured Speedway Racing. Speedway in the pre-war days of the 1930s was brought over from Australia, a type of Dirt track racing. Stadiums used for greyhound races were adapted, shale put down and the sport took off in a big way. Wembley Stadium had over 100,000 people there to watch the England team against the Australians in the years following the war. So, the film was made, and was a success. Up and coming young actor Dirk Bogarde, and the wily young Bill Owen ( who went on to become famous in the British TV programme, The Last Of The Summer Wine) starred in it. The title? Well to answer Mr Kennett ( the only other person to comment wryly on this film) is because the sport originated down under, although I suspect Mr Kennett to be one of the famous Kennett brothers; Speedway Riders Themselves in the 1950s and 60s. Comment: Excellent British attempt to bring the sport to the film going public. 10 out of 10. August 2004.

Once a Jolly Swagman

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 4 January 2023]

Aside from the odd rendition of "Waltzing Matilda" - I am unsure as to the reason for the title, but don't be put off - it's about speedway not swag (or sheep). Dirk Bogarde is at his most alluring as "Bill", a man who gets laid off from his job testing lightbulbs and who takes up the sport of dirt-track speedway. Discovering he has a bit of a penchant for it, he is soon earning £90-a week and but for the intervention of WWII could have been a true champion. After the war, though, his wife "Pat" (Renée Asherson) gives him an ultimatum despite him struggling to get so much as a milk round to make ends meet. Which path will he choose? It's got a strong supporting cast this - James Hayter, Moira Lister, Bill Owen, Sid James, Thora Hird and Bonar Colleano - and there is just enough race action to give us an indication that this was an hugely popular, and pretty dangerous sport that saw crowds of tens of thousands turn up in the hope of some excitement. The romantic shenanigans clutter it up a bit, especially his "Lister" period, but it's predominately quite a well made, fast moving, drama that touches subtly on the lack of opportunities for many a soldier after demobilisation.

Shown on TV 1957 in Los Angeles as original title. About speedway motorcycle racing.

[hi-speed · 9/10 · 28 October 1998]

A worthy movie set during WWII and focuses on a famous speedway motorcycle rider and his comeback after injuries suffered in war. Also, some romance thrown in to make the hero motivated and make everything turn out right. As I remember it quite well, I can't begin to guess where the aka title "Maniacs on Wheels" came from as it would be a ludicrous description of the movie content. Today's generation of motorsports enthusiasts would certainly be surprised at this oldie that still would capture the interest. Would be a great vehicle to re-make into today's hi-tech racing and extreme sports interest. Motorcycle racing has never been more popular and millions are spent on it every year. Come on Hollywood, lets do this one again before the Brits decide they should make another! Sir Dirk Bogarde could be replaced by our own World Champ Bruce Penhall who is no stranger to Hollywood and the world of Speedway Motorcycles.

Motorbike-themed character drama

[Leofwine_draca · 5/10 · 3 March 2018]

ONCE A JOLLY SWAGMAN is a character drama about a young man who gives up his deadbeat factory job to become a motorbike racer instead. It's centred around the minor sport of Speedway and has some good on-track scenes of a sport we don't often we make it to the big screen. The story itself is rather light and straightforward, reminiscent a little of the later 'angry young man' movement but rather ahead of its time by a decade or so. Had it been made years later it might have done better. A decent cast makes this watchable, though, with a typically brooding Dirk Bogarde on protagonist duty, Bonar Colleano and Bill Owen as racing rivals, Sid James as the organiser, and James Hayter and Thora Hird as Bogarde's parents.

Dirk Track Story

[writers_reign · 4/10 · 27 February 2018]

Okay I accept it was early in his career and they were still trying to find a niche for him but it was a real masterstroke to cast Dirk Bogarde as a speedway star and give him a Sid Field Slasher Green moustache. As long as they were playing silly buggers they gave Bonar Colleano a pipe. A pipe! As far as plots go this is Number 5b, the one about the poor boy who's determined to get to the top at any price - nine times out of ten he's a boxer (see: John Garfield, Body And Soul) though he can also be a musician (see: John Garfield, Humoresque, Kirk Douglas, Young Man With A Horn) - this time around he's a speedway rider, the only original thing in the whole movie and Dirk Bogarde is about as convincing as a biker as Arthur Mullard would be as James Bond. For Bogarde completists and novelty buffs only.