Action Cult Classic

When bikers are the good guys and the cops are out for blood, nobody rides away clean.

NORTHVILLE CEMETERY MASSACRE

When the law breaks the law, the innocent pay in blood.

1976 · 1h 23m · R · Action / Crime / Drama · IMDB TMDB

A generally law-abiding motorcycle club is framed for a brutal crime committed by a corrupt police officer. When outraged townsfolk wage a vengeful war against them, it sparks a bloody, catastrophic shootout

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Quick Answer

What is Northville Cemetery Massacre about?

Northville Cemetery Massacre is a 1976 American action crime drama directed by William Dear and Thomas L. Dyke about a law-abiding biker gang framed for a brutal crime by corrupt police, sparking violent retribution from a small town.

Programmer's Pick

This is the rare biker film where the leather-clad crew are the ones you’re rooting for—and the badge-wearers are the ones you’ll fear. Between the Michigan backroads, a biker gang with a code, and a town spoiling for blood, Northville Cemetery Massacre delivers the grindhouse goods with a vengeance.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

In Northville Cemetery Massacre, the motorcycle club known as the Spirits may look like your typical rough-and-tumble bikers, but beneath the denim and exhaust fumes lies a group of well-meaning road warriors more interested in lending a hand than causing trouble. Set against the backdrop of Michigan highways, this 1976 slice of bikersploitation flips the usual script: the so-called outlaws are the heroes, while the local lawmen play the villains. When a corrupt cop frames the Spirits for a horrific crime, the tight-knit community erupts into chaos, blurring the already messy lines between justice and vengeance. It's a low-budget, drive-in-ready grindhouse tale that rides hard on the tension between counterculture and small-town paranoia.

Details & Specs

Directors: William Dear, Thomas L. Dyke
Writers: Jim Pappas, Thomas L. Dyke, William Dear
Release: 1976
Runtime: 1h 23m
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Genres: Action, Crime, Drama
Also Known As: Das Northville Massaker, Rockerschlacht in Northville

Why This Matters

This 1976 outlaw biker film features an uncredited voiceover by Nick Nolte for the lead actor, offering an early connection to Nolte's later prominent career.

— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Directors: William Dear +1 more Writers: Jim Pappas +2 more

DH David Hyry Chris JC J. Craig Collicut Putnam CJ Carson Jackson Deke JS Jan Sisk Lynn HS Herb Sharples John Tyner LS Len Speck Armstrong BE Beatrice Endahl Lady in Car HE Harry Endahl Man in Car BE Brooke Evens Hollywood JB Jill Biggers Bride WC Ward Clawson First Road Ranger RD Richard Davis Second Road Ranger BB Buzz Brown Part Time Judge AS Audrey Speck Tina CW Chuck Whaley Tiny

Terence McGovern Teddy KB Kelly Burke TV Reporter FR Fred Rex TV Cameraman EP Ed Pieratt Chief EF Eric Fisher Rookie JH Jackie Harbin Waitress VP Virginia Pieratt Nurse RG Ray Gardener Captain Freedom GA Garret Albright Trucker HR Howard Reeves Officer Piggins DF Don Franklin Officer Fedorko CP Charles Pearson First Hearse Driver WM William Morrell Second Hearse Driver AW Anthony Wyrock Third Hearse Driver PM Pat Monks Pilot VB Victoria Baue NB Nancy Burek DD Debbi Dipietro RD Richard Duggan DC Don C. Howell SK Susan Kingsley DK David Klim JP Joe Pazzanese JT James Tulas LW Louis Westfall

Nick Nolte Chris (voice) (uncredited)

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