This film is the first of many motorcycle movies to come and has it’s fair share of motorcycle stunts. Interestingly enough, it came out a few months before the next one, which was a huge hit, The Wild One, with Marlon Brando. Code Two gets on the list because it’s first and the stunts were better.
I’ve listed the Actors, most notably the star, Ralph Meeker and his onscreen mentor Keenan Wynn, as they do a lot of the riding and stunts themselves and because I can’t see where the stuntmen are listed for this film anywhere. I know they’re there, hidden, as a few of them are listed as policeman in the credits, like Carey Loftkin.
Anyway, this film was mostly forgotten over time, except with motorcycle enthusiasts, where it became an underground cult classic. Much of the screen time is spent in motorcycle cop training and we get to sit back and watch all these vintage motorcycles being put through their paces, through hills, fields, racing through brush, up steep inclines, over ditches, spilling off their bikes and so much more, all on Police-issue Harley-Davidsons. The actors and stuntmen handle the many action scenes well.
Code Two was directed by Fred M. Wilcox for MGM.
Things to look up (click on item to go to IMDB):
Glossary of stunt terms as defined by Wikipedia – Motorcycle stunt riding: sometimes referred to as simply stuntriding, is a motorcycle sport characterized by stunts involving acrobatic maneuvering of the motorcycle and sometimes the rider. Common maneuvers in stunt riding include wheelies, stoppies, and burnouts. Sport bikes have become a common vehicle for stunts, make sure you wear helmets before you try any of these stunts yourself! Remember, motorbike helmet reviews will help you choose a helmet right for the job.
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