Whenever anybody asks me “what are your favourite films”, when my answer is proffered I’m usually met with a blank stare akin to a dog being shown a card trick. Along with the likes of Fargo, Being John Malkovich and Easy Rider, one of the first names out of my mouth is usually Breaking Away.
“Breaking A-what-now?”
Trying to explain to non-cyclists why this film means so much to me is no easy task. Even other cyclists who may not have heard of the 1979 Oscar winner for Best Screenplay seem perplexed and unable to grasp the concept of a teen coming-of-age film featuring that rarity of Hollywood filmdom, a *gasp* cyclist.
And that’s all that Breaking Away is. It’s not a cycling film, not a fly on the wall doco like A Sunday In Hell or Hell On Wheels. In fact it’s completely bereft of hell in any form. To me it’s heaven, sometimes on wheels, sometimes in Mike’s Buick, sometimes in the swimming hole at the old abandoned limestone quarry.
I could go on about the classic scenes and lines from the film, like the pump in the spokes, drafting the truck or Dave’s Italophile obsessions. But those who have seen the film will know these already, and those who haven’t, well I wouldn’t want to spoil your impending viewings.
But I will admit to this; I actually have been close to tears on one of my many, many viewings, while introducing it to a girlfriend, who must’ve been somewhat bemused by a grown man getting emotional about some loser teenagers winning some stupid bike race. And I’m not ashamed of that, because it is really so much more.
When Cyril is being jostled by the adoring masses at the end of the Little 500, the look of acceptance, of achievement which washes over his face, an expression made possible by the simple act of riding a bicycle, that to me is one of the great cinematic moments. One I will enjoy over and over again, thirty years on and counting.
For a comprehensive look at everything Breaking Away, check out this site.
And the original trailer here.
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I watched Shutter Island last night. I thought he looked familiar but I couldn't place him...
...then I saw the name in the credits and was like "Wow, it's Moocher!"
Just watched this, was a birthday present. I must say I loved it, though for a cycling film it has quite a few inaccuracies/problems for me :( Mainly the commentator on the Little 500 has no idea what he's talking about.
You've gotta love Dave doing almost 100km/h in the small ring
@Nathan Edwards I pulled this from the linked Breaking Away Wikipedia info: "The team is based on the 1962 Phi Kappa Psi Little 500 champions, which featured legendary rider and Italian enthusiast Dave Blase, who provided screenwriter and fellow Phi Kappa Psi team member Steve Tesich the inspiration for the main character in the movie. Blase, together with team manager Bob Stoller, provided the name of this character: Dave Stoller. [3] In the 1962 race, Blase rode 139 out of 200 laps and was the victory rider crossing the finish line, much like the main character in the film. Blase himself appears in the movie as the race announcer." He might have an idea what he's talking about.
@Nathan Edwards
That truck scene is one of the all-time great scenes ever in cycling film history. It's right up there with the Fluidly Harmonic Articulation from The Impossible Hour.
@nvvelominati
Wow. That's the kind f detail we're talking about.
Watched this film with my wife last year (her first time seeing it) and was reaffirmed that I am blessed with the perfect wife as she was in tears during the film at all the right moments and loved the film.
Even if she does not ride, I think she is a keeper!
What a great film. Are there no topics on the "Flying Scotsman" movie? Just saw that one this summer and really liked it.
@Buck Rogers
Well done, my son. I just watched it a few weeks ago; fantastic. There are a few comments peppered about him here and there, but I am planning a full-on movie review here in the very near term.
@frank
Excellent! Very worthy subject for your talents! Look forward to seeing it soon!
@nvvelominati
Wow, how then does he not seem to understand the concept of wheel sucking?
Breaking Away ran as a TV series for a while and that was what got me into cycling and made me a cyclist. I think it is responsible for who I am..?
I saw this file in the cinema in about 1978/9 in Richmond London. The whole audience spontaneously rose to their feet and applauded at the end. Never seen this before or since.