The Flying Scotsman is a feature film based on the remarkable true story of Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree. In 1993, and as an unemployed amateur, Obree broke the world one-hour record on a bike of his own revolutionary design, which he constructed out of scrap metal and parts of a washing machine.
Genre(s): Drama, Sport
Runtime: 96 minutes
Rating: 7.1/10 (1,701 votes)
Release Date: 16 August 2006
Country: Germany, UK
Languages: English
Company: ContentFilm International
Sound: Dolby Digital
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some mature thematic elements and strong language.
Director(s): Douglas Mackinnon
Producer(s):
Peter Broughan – producer
Peter Gallagher – line producer
Peter Gallagher – producer
Sara Giles – producer
Martin Hagemann – co-producer
Niccolo Innocenti – co-producer
Alan Kaplan – executive producer
Kai Kuennemann – co-producer
Damita Nikapota – producer
Simon Rose – executive producer
Alasdair Waddell – executive producer
Writer(s):
John Brown – (writer) and
Simon Rose – (writer) and
Declan Hughes – (writer)
Cast:
Jonny Lee Miller – Graeme Obree
Sean Brown – Young Graeme Obree
Joseph Carney – Child Gang Leader
Crawford McInally-Kier – First Child Bully
Jan Plazalski – Second Child Bully
Niall Macgregor – Graeme's Father
Julie Austin – Graeme's Mother
Morag Calder – First Office Receptionist
Billy Boyd – Malky
Laura Fraser – Anne Obree
Music: Martin Phipps
Tagline: Hope made him a dreamer. Heart made him a hero.
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A fantastic portrayal of a true champion – who battled not only thephysical elements required for cycling but also mental illness tobecome one of the greatest cyclists of all time. Johnny Lee Miller is arevelation in the lead role and ably supported by Brian Cox and BillyBoyd. Shame it is not on full release as this is a story that should beheard, unlike other triumph against disaster sappy biopics which havebeen allowed a wider release. Even if you are not interested in cyclingas a sport, this is more about the challenges life puts in your way onthe route to any goal and how single-mindedness and determination canwin the day but can also be derailed.
Go and see this if you can America – I know he was British but the filmand the story speak for themselves.
Being a relative of Graeme ( albeit fairly distant – his father and mymother were cousins)I knew the story well – I keep close contact withhis Aunt ( My Mothers cousin)who would update me on how the "Scottishbranch" of the family were doing. I followed Graemes career closely andremember vividly seeing his triumphs on the news. I knew about some ofthe issues he had to face in his life, the adversity that he had toovercome time and time again. Sitting down in a PACKED movie theatre inChristchurch NZ, I felt tremendously proud of him and e-mailed homestraight away to pass on that message that, if he still has any doubtstoday, then I wanted him to know that, on the other side of the world,he packed a theatre out and, the chances are that, if he packed atheatre in tiny Christchurch then, he will have done so in Wellington,Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne etc. Cycling is pretty popular here in theSouthern Hemisphere and there were young kids in the audience who heldhim up as a hero. His honesty in writing his autobiography and allowingthis film to be made, no holds barred is truly an inspiration becauseit shows that, if he can make it, become world champion twice, breakthe hour record, twice, without the major sponsorship and million poundtechnology of his contemparies, then so can they, the young ladsstarting out. Graeme, you were an inspiration and you still are, toMANY MANY people. And you have earned the admiration of many manypeople not only with your genius designs but with your honesty infacing your demons and confronting them head on. I know the Obreefamily continue to be very proud of you but, ultimately, you can beimmensely proud of yourself and everything you have achieved. If theCycling fraternity were to ever appoint an ambassador for the sport toget youngsters more interested in it – it really should be you.Watching the movie was painful at times but, ultimately I came out ofthe theatre very, very proud and I wish you and your family all thebest for the future.
First, this movie is much better than "Chariots of Fire," albeitwithout the famous soundtrack. Second, this movie speaks to anyone whohas spent hours on a stationary bike, pedaled through verdantcountryside, or has challenged themselves to 100 mile day. Third, thismovie will resonant with those who've been forced to deal withdepression and survived.
I think the cinematography was terrific, except for some of thecloseups of Obree on the oval. However, the shots of his front wheeland the tunnel vision which develop during a maximum effort aresplendid.
While pushing personal limits of time and distance, there's no way acyclist won't think about Obree's extreme effort and success.
Were this to have been a sports movie, it would have still been verymuch worth the ticket. However, the personal story and the battles hehad to fight turned this into something so much more. I took my wife,my son and his girlfriend to see this and we all came away feeling thesame. 3 of us knew so much about Graeme Obree, but my son's girlfriendhad never heard of him, and has no interest in most sport, especiallynot cycling. That we all loved it says they got that balance right. Thecast were excellent with Jonny Lee Miller playing Obree to perfection.Ably supported by Billy Boyd and Brian Cox and Laura Fraser as hiswife. This film may do something to raise the profile of amateurcycling. However, even more importantly, it may highlight the issuesassociated with mental illness. Try to see it, you will not regret it.
The Flying Scotsman is a formula sports biographical movie, based onthe book written by a champion cyclist Graeme Obree. As with sportsbiopics like Cinderella Man and The World's Fastest Indian, Scotsmantells the story of the underdog's triumph against himself and hisadversaries through innovation in technique, technology, and of course,perseverance sprinkled with grit and determination. But of course, likeA Beautiful Mind, there are inner demons that have to be worked out,before assailing to the summit.
Graeme Obree (Jonny Lee Miller) is a bike enthusiast who works as acourier and owns a bike shop. Life's pretty plain, until he inspires tobreak an aged old World Hour record for longest distanced pedalled on abicycle. But record breaking is an expensive ambition, and he realizesthat aerodynamics will play an important factor. What I liked about themovie is to witness his keen observation and experimentation at work,to design the perfect sports bike, and riding techniques which some ofus would have observed on television in the 90s.
Thus the movie begins charting the ups and downs of his career,starting with his built from scratch and from spare washing machineparts bike affectionately called The Old Faithful. It's something thatman and machine, when united seamlessly, is able to go the distance.But of course, what I also liked is perhaps the stereotypical boardroomsuits, of the powers that be, who are dead set in making life difficultfor Obree, introducing absurd rules, regulations and terms in order toupset the spirit of innovation, and maintain their absolute controlover the sport.
There are some moments which seem to mar the movie, despiteunderstanding that they have to be introduced to give our on screencharacter more than one dimension. Struggling with injustice from thepast affected Obree's EQ, but a good support structure in his wife Anne(Laura Fraser), manager Malky (Billy Boyd) and good adviser Douglas(Brian Cox), it makes a constant reminder that no man is an island, andthat with good people supporting and believing in you, that's one oflife's greatest gifts.
The theme track is excellent in itself, but unfortunately, none canreplace the contemporary classic theme composed by Vangelis fromChariots of Fire. Recommended movie despite its formula, if you're inneed for some perk up when you're feeling down and low about yourself.
I saw it in Aberdeen on Sat night, I wasn't really expecting much assporting films are usually bordering on rubbish but it was veryentertaining. Everyone quotes the bike "built from washing machineparts" but very seldom is Graeme Obree acknowledged as the superb(drug-free) athlete that he was. I would recommend it, although it doesover simplify events, as cinema usually does, but it was 90 mins wellspent. I hope Graeme benefits from its release. Her indoors alsothoroughly enjoyed it even if it was very much, my choice of film. Iwould recommend it if you just enjoy a good story. In fact it is such agood tale that sometimes it is easy to forget that it is a true storyand just how heroic Graeme Obree 's feats were.