I am a great admirer of Graeme Obree.
I highly recommend the book – The Flying Scotsman
In many ways the book is better than the film. For example, the book goes into more detail about Graeme’s turbulent inner life and the inner demons that drove him onto become a World Champion.
Despite a preference for the book, I still thought the film was well worth watching. It sticks closely to the real life events of Graeme’s unexpected rise to cycling fame. The film explores the initial scepticism of others. It also touches, to comic effect, on the treatment he received from the UCI. For example, when he got told off for sawing off part of his sadle, he just went and got a saddle from a kids mountain bike. Another good moment was when Obree unveiled a new bike with stabilisers on (His position had just been banned, ostensibly on ‘safety grounds’
Even though I am a cyclist and time triallist, I can’t say I was riveted at the cycling action. Perhaps because time trials are not that interesting, or perhaps because I knew what would happen.
Anyway, I think this is the kind of film that can be appreciated by both the cyclist and non cyclist. The acting is fine, without being exceptional.
The Flying Scotsman – DVD
at Amazon.co.uk
at Amazon.com
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