A reader this week asked me for suggestion on a few cycling flicks that him and his buddies can catch up on. His timing was perfect because I was in the middle of writing this post on my favorite cycling movies.
Movies
Breaking Away (1979)
The film is basically about a hopeless rider with a passion for Italian cyclists. The best parts of the film are:
1. When Dave chases down a lorry he changes from the large chainring to the small one so he can go faster
2. The bit where one of the Italians puts his pump into the Dave’s front wheel and he comes off. This is one of the lame jokes that every non-cyclists says to me when trying to make conversation about racing.
American Flyers (1985)
Sports physician Marcus (Kevin Costner) persuades his unstable brother David (David Grant) to come with him and train for a bicycle race across the Rocky Mountains. He doesn’t tell him that he has a cerebral tumor. While David heads for the victory, Marcus has to realize that the contest is now beyond his capabilities. Cameo appearance by Eddy Merckx.
Quicksilver (1986)
Story of TC and how fyxomatosis got its start. Kevin Bacon plays TC, which means I’m only 2 degrees away from Kevin Bacon.
Rad (1986)
Teenage drama revolving around BMX racing and such dilemmas as: can the good guys beat the bad guys, who’s got the fastest bike, must you cheat to win, and should our hero miss his SAT tests to compete in “the big race”. Some things never change.
The Flying Scotsman (2007)
Follows the turbulent life of Graeme Obree, who, as an unemployed amateur, broke the World One Hour record on a bike of his own revolutionary design, constructed out of scrap metal and old washing machine parts. He’s a harder man than you are!
Documentaries
Overcoming
Gives a great inside view of team CSC. It’s one of those documentaries that tries a bit too hard to show how much suffering a pro cyclist endures. Kinda made me want to re-think my choice in sports.
Hell on Wheels
Follows around Eric Zabel and Rolf Aldag with T-Mobile. You’ll never look at Zabel the same again after watching him in this. Every time Zabel got a second place in a sprint after watching this I was heartbroken. After his 50th second place I gave up.
Road to Roubaix
This one documents the rider’s perspectives on Paris Roubaix and doesn’t touch the actual race itself quite as much.
A Sunday in Hell
Shows the battle between Merckx, DeVlaeminick, Marten and Moser in the 1976 edition of Paris Roubaix. This one is considered one of the great classics but I’m not so sure I appreciate it as much as I should. If Liggett, Sherwen and Keenan were calling it, I’m sure it would be a thousand times better.
DeTour the Movie
Following John Trevorrow and crew, this film shows the highlights from the 2007 Tour De France along with classic “detour” moments along the way. Very funny…and very Aussie.
Road to Paris
Short but sweet. Follows around Lance and USPS in the lead-up to the Tour de France.
…and a few more that are worth mentioning
- The Hard Road and Pro. These aren’t overly well known and are kinda difficult to find on the web in a simple search. They’re kinda cheezy in my opinion but worth a watch.
If you want to see some amazing mountain bike videos check out Radical Films. This stuff will blow you away.
And last but not least…
ET – a classic not to be missed
{ 22 comments }
I like the Flying Scottsman – that chronicles the life of Graeme Obree.
Even though not road movies, every roadie would appreciate the following movies for the bike-handling and amazing cinematography:
The Collective
Roam
Seasons
All by Canadian outfit “The Collective”
can’t believe I forgot the Flying Scottsman. I’ll put that one in. Thanks Weiland
What about the movie that launched Nicole Kidman’s career – BMX Bandits!
+1 for BMX bandits.
Nicole with her curls!!
Watched Breaking Away on Friday night. It’s the 30th anniversary of it’s release. I loved that film as a teen. I wanted a MASI like Dave’s…. still do!
Interesting fact: the race footage from American Flyers was actually from the Coors Classic in the US. Melbourne’s own Gary Trowell – a former Aussie title winner – actually features on the start line in the movie. Gary told me they would put the Hell of the West signage up for the movie shots while they were on the start line and then pull it down to reveal the Coors Classic signage and then let the riders start. Kevin Costner didn’t actually race to my knowledge..
I’ll throw another movie out there: 24 Solo. Follows Chris Eatough on his way to winning his 7th World 24-Hour Solo Title (same sponsors as Lance) except that the script writer didn’t see Aussie Craig Gordon spoiling the party and forcing them to do lots of retrospective interviews while Craig’s in his hospital bed after the race….
BM you hit the nail on the head there!
Roam is the single greatest cinematographic effort ever produced in 30 minutes! I love it.
24 solo is up there with the best, I agree. Makes you realise how soft we really are…
So many movies to see!!!
Two movies that changed my cycling life were:
- 24 Solo – 24 hours solo mtb
- BMX – Bandids
And ET of course!!!
Great Blog, greetings from Portugal!
Lucas Brunelle and his work on YouTube
rad to the power of sick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUTL3oKOCNw&feature=PlayList&p=E0EACDEC43F7DF08&index=0&playnext=1
Great list but I’ve only seen about three of them. In fact, I re-watched American Flyers the other night via Netflix. Gotta love Fast Eddie. I’d really like to see the Flying Scotsman.
First time visitor to your blog. Very nice. I’m subscribing to your feed.
I have never seen any of these. I have some catching up to do!
Another great flick is Canada’s National Film Board’s “Steve Bauer -Inside Out” follows Paris Nice during Steve’s 91-92 season.
BMX Bandits!!
Seriously! Not only is it an Australian film,and pre-RAD, it is a Brian Trenchard-Smith film.
You know, he is only like the most talented director to come out of your country. Dead-End Drive In and Turkey Shoot are pure Ausploitation gold.
American Flyers-
“Enough of this Sunday stroll, time to make it hurt a little!”
One of these day’s I’ll say that in a road race to the peleton. Just hope I can back up my bravado! LOL
another one that looks like it might be good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw43-ftsk2U
I thought the Flying Scottsman was great. I also liked Breaking Away even though it wasn’t very realistic. If only someone would make a Happy Gilmore type movie for cycling. I’d see it for sure!
the interweb is great. movies like this are starting to get real legs
http://vimeo.com/3933644
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdJsLGKF99o
The one line I have used from American Flyers in a race and training is, when someone goes off the front early in the race, shout to fellow riders “let him go, he’ll die in the hills”…..
Dear Cycling Tips
This is an interesting collection of films, thank you.
Do you know that there is to be a feature film and book made of my own solo cycling trip, from Scotland to the Arctic Circle? It promises to be very unusual. There is already a soundtrack album with music by The One Ensemble and Sarah Kenchington.
You can follow my journey on this beautiful website at dummyjim.com
Yours aye
Jim
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