July 13 2014 marked the 35th anniversary of the seminal ‘cycling film’ Breaking Away. 35 years. Nothing stays popular for that long, right? Things get dated, lose their edge (if there was edge in the first place) and eventually become irrelevant (I’m looking at you, Rolling Stones). Yes, even legends get stale if left out too long.
On paper, Breaking Away has all the potential to join the ranks of the forgotten, the antiquated and embarrassing. But somehow, it keeps delivering not only entertainment but a real and honest story about real and honest characters. They’re like old friends who’ve been away for years but keep popping up every once in a while, and haven’t changed a bit.
I got to meet up with old friends both real and on screen in the last few weeks when I headed back to my native country and the town I grew up in. It was like a trip back in time, most of it spent re-living the things we used to do by doing them again. Watching films was one of the ways we conjured morsels from our aging memories, a bit of Mad Max here, some Monty Python there. And Breaking Away.
I don’t remember how it came up (that aging memory letting me down again), but in a flash the impulsive son-of-a-gun who is the K-Man had the torrents fired up and Mike’s familiar singing voice was wafting through the speakers. “In the parking lot, at the A & P…” Now, sharing your tastes with others, whether it’s film, music or food is oftentimes fraught with risk, sometimes outright danger. And while K-Man and I share a lot of common ground, there’s always bound to be things that polarises one or both. I was sure that we wouldn’t even get to witness Dave meet Katerina. I was trying to gauge the reactions, but I was too engrossed, for the umpteenth time, by the magic of the characters and storyline.
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Not only did we make it past the serenading, the Italians and Mooch punching various objects and people before I had to leave, but upon return I was less surprised than anticipated to learn that K-Man had made it all the way to the end, and actually enjoyed it (I know this because I put him to an impromptu quiz on details of the Little 5oo).
Breaking Away still resonates with me as it did when I wrote this article back in 2009, and no doubt will continue to do so well beyond the day my memory can no longer locate my keys.
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What a great bump. Never seen it, just watched the trailer. It straight on the wish list!
@actor1
I just went for a ride and then got my hair cut - is that kinda the same?
35 years? Oye mien gott. I haven't seen that in 35 years? Well, I remember a lot of scenes so that says something for it initial impact. I already owned a racing bike with sew-ups, was an campy (all things Italian) fan-boy but had not shaved my legs yet. So I was a little skeptical of one or two of the cycling scenes. Rob and I were impressed by his ability to pick a notebook off the ground while riding. All in all it was a good cycling movie and a great coming-of-age movie for me.
I'm amazed to see these actors still working, at least that wee one. He was in the Spielberg Lincoln movie as a Southern general or gentleman.
Great movie. Ever since it became available on Netflix I have watched it a few times. It is good motivation to get the old 80's steel frame Trek out for a ride. There is something about those down tube shifters I love and of course the fantastic feel of that steel frame. The paintings with this post are cool too, I hadn't seen them before.
It was a great movie , and it was refreshing to come across something I hadn't seen before. The old adage of "rung what you brung" hits home . It makes me want to grab "Old Red" out of the shed and take it to CX racing -- coaster brake and all - and you know I will be taping my feet to the pedals - YEEEWW!!!
This. American Flyers and Hot Dog The Movie. I watch all of them once a year. Judge if you want, but I'm right and you know it.
New here but wanted to share my experience as background for many of you who enjoyed the movie.
In 1978 I was a Freshman at Indiana when the movie was being filmed and am in some of the crowd scenes at the race. Back then wasn't into bikes or riding but now, as I have found the way, wished I had been.
While this is a great movie and for obvious reasons one of my favorites, the only thing it lacks is capturing what a HUGE DEAL the Little 500 is at Indiana. Basketball may be king, especially when Knight was coaching, but the Little 5 is next and winning is tantamount to being a God on campus for the next year. It is taken very, very, seriously, and nobody fucks with the Riders. I was in a Frat with a bike team and you could do most anything to your brothers but not to a Rider. These guys were dedicated and hard-don't know about now but in the day they would ride the hills in Southern Indiana (some of which are long and steep) ON SINGLESPEEDS, the bikes used in the race, 4-5 days a week to get hard and train. They had coaches, mechanics, strict training plans, everything. During the Winter they would be riding rollers while we were partying. Most teams went down to Florida during Spring Break to train for a week. No partying-just training. Once Spring came they would have road rash all over their bodies from crashes at practice sessions. I haven't been back in a long time but I suspect little has changed. Whenever I am riding hard or in miserable weather I think of the Riders I knew and gut it out. They were the V.
It's labeled the World's Greatest College Weekend with the culmination the Race. If you are ever in Southern Indiana in late April, or have a chance, make a point of going. It's unforgettable and I am lucky to have seen it for four years.
@JGalt
Fantastic story! This community now boasts an extra from Breaking Away! Does it get any weirder than that?
@brett
How good is that ! "straight to the pool room " , get that mans autograph on the DVD jacket
I just watched it on netflix, ha, what a laugh. The much hated frat boy, who lost the sprint, did you see his socks? No wonder he was hated and lost. Too tall socks. Nuff said.