'Hell On Wheels' explores roller derby revival

These girls get beaten. These girls break bones. These girls roll around a track while wearing mini skirts and scowls.

That’s all included in Hell on Wheels, a documentary chronicling the revival of all-girl roller derby circa 2001 in Austin. All the bruises, action and costumes sit on the surface of this film. Lying below is an interesting look at human psychology. The filmmaker captures the egos, passion and protectiveness that underscore the birth of a do-it-yourself sports league. And it’s not always pleasant to watch.

Hell on Wheels is a gritty look at a gritty revival.

Basically, it involves two rival factions of roller derby women. In the beginning, they were all together. A dispute over who should run the league drove them apart. On one side there are the four women who originally brought roller derby back. They want controlling interest in the new league. On the other side are the dozens of skaters that participate. They advocate a democratic management system.

The disagreement becomes heated. It’s illustrated best during a graphic scene where a woman breaks her foot while skating. The break is disturbing. You see the foot twist almost 360 degrees and you see it hanging loose. As paramedics attend to her, she remarks to the camera that it really bothers her that members of the other league were watching.

For every riveting scene like that, there is another dull moment where we’re forced to watch politics and squabbling at internal league meetings. It works to convey the passion involved. Visually, however, it gets incredibly boring at times. Much of the derby footage was also confusing to me. It was dark, vaguely violent, and tinged with excitement.

But hey, that’s derby for you.

Hell on Wheels
Length: 90 minutes
Directed by: Bob Ray
Produced by: Werner Campbell
Original music by: …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead
Online: www.hellonwheelsthemovie.com