The Flying Scotsman Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Hope made him a dreamer. Heart made him a hero.
The true story of the unlikely champion that inspired a nation.
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.
| Jonny Lee Miller | Graeme Obree |
| Sean Brown | Young Graeme Obree |
| Joseph Carney | Child Gang Leader |
| Crawford McInally-Keir | 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 |
| Jean Marie Coffey | Woman at Finish Line |
| Christopher Anderson | Baby Ewan |
| Brian Cox | Douglas Baxter |
| Ron Donachie | Scobie |
| Morven Christie | Katie |
| Douglas Mackinnon |
7.00 out of 10 (123 votes)
Visitor Reviews
A good old fashioned sports movie.
posted on 09 Jul 2009This was a film I knew nothing about, and a sport I know pretty much nothing about. Saying that I do love sports of all kinds, so I am probably biased. I also like when sports movies are told well, because most of them are not. The only reason this film wasn't a huge hit is because I don't think there is a lot of big bicycle racing movie fans out there. Do I hope this gets a good run on DVD, absolutely. Will very many people pick up a movie (particularly in the U.S.) about a Scottish man racing bicycles, almost definitely not. I thought that even though the story was very straight forward, it was very well written, competently directed, and excellently acted. If this was acted by any other lesser actors, this film would have just been another sports movie. If not for the very underrated and quite unknown Jonny Lee Miller starring in the title role I doubt this would have been worth watching at all. Just as "Seabiscuit" made the world love horse racing, hopefully so will this get some well deserved attention. Give it a try if you are looking for a good old fashioned sports flick.
Superman! Superman! Superman!
posted on 08 Apr 2009I am a sucker for sports movies where an individual or team overcomes adversity to become champions. I really don't care for the sport of cycling, seeing it just as a two-wheeled version of NASCAR, round and round and round ad nausea, but it was the man, Graeme Obree, played by Jonny Lee Miller, that was interesting.Battling depression and Ernst Hagemann (Steven Berkoff) really would take the courage of Rambo. I never could figure what Hagemann had against him, but his antics would make anyone crazy.Brian Cox was fantastic as the minister that was there for him.Laura Fraser (Land of the Blind, Iron Jawed Angels) was also excellent as his wife Anne.
Sometimes painful but compelling viewing
posted on 18 Jan 2009Being a relative of Graeme ( albeit fairly distant - his father and my mother were cousins)I knew the story well - I keep close contact with his Aunt ( My Mothers cousin)who would update me on how the "Scottish branch" of the family were doing. I followed Graemes career closely and remember vividly seeing his triumphs on the news. I knew about some of the issues he had to face in his life, the adversity that he had to overcome time and time again. Sitting down in a PACKED movie theatre in Christchurch NZ, I felt tremendously proud of him and e-mailed home straight away to pass on that message that, if he still has any doubts today, 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 a theatre in tiny Christchurch then, he will have done so in Wellington, Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne etc. Cycling is pretty popular here in the Southern Hemisphere and there were young kids in the audience who held him up as a hero. His honesty in writing his autobiography and allowing this film to be made, no holds barred is truly an inspiration because it shows that, if he can make it, become world champion twice, break the hour record, twice, without the major sponsorship and million pound technology of his contemparies, then so can they, the young lads starting out. Graeme, you were an inspiration and you still are, to MANY MANY people. And you have earned the admiration of many many people not only with your genius designs but with your honesty in facing your demons and confronting them head on. I know the Obree family continue to be very proud of you but, ultimately, you can be immensely proud of yourself and everything you have achieved. If the Cycling fraternity were to ever appoint an ambassador for the sport to get youngsters more interested in it - it really should be you. Watching the movie was painful at times but, ultimately I came out of the theatre very, very proud and I wish you and your family all the best for the future.
True story of a professional cyclists triumph against adversi
posted on 09 Dec 2008Having read the book several years ago, and recalled the achievements of Graeme Obree back in the early nineties, I knew that this film would at least be inspiring. In some ways, this film reminded me of the last Scottish athlete to be given the nickname 'The Flying Scotsman', the great Eric Liddle. Both were criticised for their unorthodox styles, even though it gained them great success and honour. Both men, also engendered wide criticism, although for different reasons. The film is honest and direct, as it deals with issues like bullying and depression, which are suffered by so many. Like Obree, many people try to deal with such problems on their own. Jonny Lee Miller does well to portray the agony and ecstasy of professional competition. Laura Fraser(Ann Obree) plays his supportive wife, serenely, but with an underlying earthiness. His friend and manager Malky(Billy Boyd) follows his highs and lows. Douglas Baxter plays the wise local parish minister, Brian Cox, who offers his workshop and scrap metal, along with much needed moral support. Cox is almost a second father figure to young Obree. With the addition of the obvious high drama of the competitions, this film is superb.
Not quite Braveheart on wheels
posted on 01 Nov 2008The story of Graeme Obree, an essentially amateur cyclist who competed with the best, is quite remarkable, but that's not to say it makes for a great film. The narrative arc of this movie is dreadfully predictable, and attempts to make play from Obree's struggles with depression are limited by the cartoonish way in which the officials with whom he was often in conflict are depicted. Perhaps the real problem is that Obree is the sort of hero who fits the Scottish self-image too well, the plucky underdog (celebrated in the unimaginative title of this movie) is just too comfortable a figure (in terms of how he fits with how the Scots would like to see themselves); there's no 'Trainspotting'-style iconoclasm here. Maybe it would have been better to make a documentary; the details of how Obree fashioned a competitive bike with his own hands (and to his own, revolutionary design) are fascinating - but not the stuff the fiction, and told as a drama, the result is a little dull.
Possibly the best Sports Movie I have ever seen
posted on 18 Sep 2008Were this to have been a sports movie, it would have still been very much worth the ticket. However, the personal story and the battles he had 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 the same. 3 of us knew so much about Graeme Obree, but my son's girlfriend had never heard of him, and has no interest in most sport, especially not cycling. That we all loved it says they got that balance right. The cast were excellent with Jonny Lee Miller playing Obree to perfection. Ably supported by Billy Boyd and Brian Cox and Laura Fraser as his wife. This film may do something to raise the profile of amateur cycling. However, even more importantly, it may highlight the issues associated with mental illness. Try to see it, you will not regret it.
Shame only on limited release in US
posted on 05 Aug 2008A fantastic portrayal of a true champion - who battled not only the physical elements required for cycling but also mental illness to become one of the greatest cyclists of all time. Johnny Lee Miller is a revelation in the lead role and ably supported by Brian Cox and Billy Boyd. Shame it is not on full release as this is a story that should be heard, unlike other triumph against disaster sappy biopics which have been allowed a wider release. Even if you are not interested in cycling as a sport, this is more about the challenges life puts in your way on the route to any goal and how single-mindedness and determination can win the day but can also be derailed.Go and see this if you can America - I know he was British but the film and the story speak for themselves.
About that accent...
posted on 24 Jun 2008Genuinely loved the movie, and I'll let those who know more about Graeme and cycling comment on those aspects.Understand that Jonny Lee Miller is well regarded in Scotland for a really good Scots accent. But on the other side of the pond, us 'muricans catch only every third or fourth word. Strongly suggest you turn on the closed captioning right from the beginning and save yourself a lot of frustration and wear on your DVD player. Otherwise you'll be backing up a lot for "what'd he say?" You can always turn captioning off when you watch the second time. And you will want to see it again. It's that good.
Much more than a cycling story
posted on 27 May 2008An inspiring movie I had the pleasure of seeing at the Edinburgh film festival. I was briefly in the same cycling club as Obree. I followed his career and read his autobiography. I still cycle today and boy was I pleasantly surprised at the twists, turns and intrigue which come out in the movie; it gave me new perspectives on a complex and colourful life.What Obree did was monumental and this film does him justice, shedding light on his inner struggles and showcasing what an innovative, committed and strong world beater the man is. Don't pigeon hole this as some kind of sports extravaganza - it is a highly entertaining look at the life of an entertaining and brilliant man.
Obree is a hero
posted on 01 May 2008I saw it in Aberdeen on Sat night, I wasn't really expecting much as sporting films are usually bordering on rubbish but it was very entertaining. Everyone quotes the bike "built from washing machine parts" but very seldom is Graeme Obree acknowledged as the superb (drug-free) athlete that he was. I would recommend it, although it does over simplify events, as cinema usually does, but it was 90 mins well spent. I hope Graeme benefits from its release. Her indoors also thoroughly enjoyed it even if it was very much, my choice of film. I would recommend it if you just enjoy a good story. In fact it is such a good tale that sometimes it is easy to forget that it is a true story and just how heroic Graeme Obree 's feats were.
A v good film
posted on 03 Apr 2008I had the pleasure of seeing this film last night at the Edinburgh Film Festival. The film was introduced by Douglas Mackinnon, Graeme Obree and Brian Cox. Laura Fraser and Billy Boyd were also present.I could only spoil this film if you knew nothing about Graeme Obree's sporting achievements but I'll keep this short by saying that this is a very good film which is well acted and well directed. I found the story to be likable and informative. In the main, it's the story of Graeme's life but the latter part of the film does focus on his struggle with his own demons and with the governing body of the sport of cycling. The film is always interesting and never dull and the struggle to make the film was well worth it.I would recommend it!
A very good sports biopic
posted on 23 Feb 2008What I found most enjoyable about this film is the way it straddles the sport-biopic genres. It maintains the acute acting and psychological fullness of a biopic, aided by a fantastic performance by Miller, while being in keeping with the Hollywood highs and lows aspects of great sports movies.Those not interested in sport should not be put off by thinking this will be a typically superficial or one dimensional sports film. But those sporty types will also find plenty to satisfy them.As a big cycling fan I was already well aware of the Obree story and I can assure people that is every bit as incredible if not more so than is shown in the film. Naturally the constraints of a film mean that the Obree story is cut short and we don't see how the Superman position was banned or Obree's subsequent depressions especially after his brother died (indeed his brother is completely missing from the film). But by choosing to limit the time scale it describes it allows time for greater detail particularly in investigated his relationship with the priest and Obree's wife.Equally the film doesn't embellish the truth a great deal in order to increase the drama. Indeed the world record attempts are incredibly understated, as they should be. Obree was never well known in Britain despite being very popular on the continent. As a result the film isn't filled with cheering crowds but rather focuses the isolation he experienced within Scotland in spite of his amazing achievements.
stunning, involving and ultimately rewarding
posted on 11 Feb 2008I'm just home from enjoying one of the most exciting cinema experiences of my 51 years. As a recreational cyclist, and having trained hard and at least attempted racing, I knew that I would enjoy a film which focused on the life of a real athlete - rather than a fictional styling (Breaking Away) or one race (Hell On Wheels).With 50% Scot blood in my veins I felt at home with the voices and scenery, but I found myself quickly intensely involved with the characters and swept away by the quality of the cinematography and the stunning surround sound. I've pre-ordered the DVD - but this is the very definition of big screen cinema entertainment.In the late night screening I was lucky to have a whole row to myself - so no one witnessed my emotional gasps, or the times during the races when I was literally shaking with excitement.I loved the way that Graeme's struggle with manic depression is given respectful depth - especially since his illness was an integral part of what drove him obsessively to achieve. Too few films deal effectively with the stress and reality of being bipolar. We need to see that he is loved, respected and supported as living with a mental illness, but also that he can accept polite active intervention.This is a remarkable story - extremely well told. Full praise to all of the cast - especially Jonny Lee Miller, who looks and lives the part and to Brian Cox, one of Britain's greatest dramatic actors (see "The Lost Language Of Cranes").We're told by other reviewers that the film is a more than adequate precis of Graeme's story, so I'm very much looking forward to reading his book.
THE movie for cyclists
posted on 22 Jan 2008First, this movie is much better than "Chariots of Fire," albeit without the famous soundtrack. Second, this movie speaks to anyone who has spent hours on a stationary bike, pedaled through verdant countryside, or has challenged themselves to 100 mile day. Third, this movie will resonant with those who've been forced to deal with depression and survived.I think the cinematography was terrific, except for some of the closeups of Obree on the oval. However, the shots of his front wheel and the tunnel vision which develop during a maximum effort are splendid.While pushing personal limits of time and distance, there's no way a cyclist won't think about Obree's extreme effort and success.
Good movie of a true story of a determined biker.
posted on 28 Dec 2006The story is great but the movie itself is a bit rough. Directed by a TV director, it often seems rough in its continuity. But in spite of that it is a very worthwhile movie of a great true story.Jonny Lee Miller is Graeme Obree, Glasgow road biker who finds the reality of making ends meet. His bicycle shop is not making money so he is forced to close it and work as a bike messenger. (Not so coincidentally my oldest son, a competitive biker in his 20s in the late 1990s also worked as a bike messenger in a large city.) Obree had some difficulties as a boy, mainly because his dad was in law enforcement. Some of the older, larger bullies who had shady dads would abuse young Obree, and in one scene holding him down as they urinated on him. But he never told on them, instead held it inside which contributed to his bouts of depression as an adult. Billy Boyd of 'LOTR' fame plays fellow bike messenger Malky, who becomes Obree's manager when Obree decides to break the records for the one-hour interval around a velodrome track. This was in 1993/1994 and Obree, inspired from different sources, designs and builds his own bike with radical new features. A good movie about the triumph of the human spirit amidst difficulty and controversy.
minor but enjoyable sports movie
posted on 04 Dec 2006"The Flying Scotsman" tells the story of Graeme Obree, a championship cyclist from Glascow, who, in the mid 1990s, twice broke the world speed record using a bike he'd constructed out of washing-machine parts. To achieve his success, Obree had to wage battle against not merely the leaders of the World Cycling Federation - who considered him an upstart and thus did everything they could to try to keep him from competing - but his own personal demons brought on by childhood trauma and clinical depression. This slight but engaging film boasts an intriguing locale, smooth direction by Douglas Mackinnon and endearing performances by Johnny Lee Miller, Billy Boyd, Laura Fraser and Brian Cox. These serve as effective counterweights to all the sports-underdog, hometown-hero-makes-good clichés inherent in the story. For the movie makes it clear that Obree did become something of a folk hero for the citizens of Scotland, who are often forced to play second-fiddle to their more haughty neighbors to the south. For a brief but shining moment, however, the nation of Scotland stood atop the world of competitive cycling, all thanks to its Favorite Son, Graeme Obree.
A Nutshell Review: The Flying Scotsman
posted on 09 Sep 2006The Flying Scotsman is a formula sports biographical movie, based on the book written by a champion cyclist Graeme Obree. As with sports biopics like Cinderella Man and The World's Fastest Indian, Scotsman tells the story of the underdog's triumph against himself and his adversaries through innovation in technique, technology, and of course, perseverance sprinkled with grit and determination. But of course, like A 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 a courier and owns a bike shop. Life's pretty plain, until he inspires to break an aged old World Hour record for longest distanced pedalled on a bicycle. But record breaking is an expensive ambition, and he realizes that aerodynamics will play an important factor. What I liked about the movie is to witness his keen observation and experimentation at work, to design the perfect sports bike, and riding techniques which some of us 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 machine parts bike affectionately called The Old Faithful. It's something that man and machine, when united seamlessly, is able to go the distance. But of course, what I also liked is perhaps the stereotypical boardroom suits, of the powers that be, who are dead set in making life difficult for Obree, introducing absurd rules, regulations and terms in order to upset the spirit of innovation, and maintain their absolute control over the sport.There are some moments which seem to mar the movie, despite understanding that they have to be introduced to give our on screen character more than one dimension. Struggling with injustice from the past 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, and that with good people supporting and believing in you, that's one of life's greatest gifts.The theme track is excellent in itself, but unfortunately, none can replace the contemporary classic theme composed by Vangelis from Chariots of Fire. Recommended movie despite its formula, if you're in need for some perk up when you're feeling down and low about yourself.
Great if not disconnected a bit
posted on 03 Sep 2006A great movie about the live of Graeme Obree. The movie does a good job of showing the historical context of Mr. Obree's attempt at the one hour record. The intensity of the sport as well as the "inbredness" of cycling at the "hors" professional level (only insiders who are connected with major component manufacturers--and use their equipment--will ultimately be allowed to win). Some of the the timing tends to be off and is not necessarily true to the order of events. I really appreciated the caricature of the WCF officials who stood in the way of his rise to fame. They remind of of the UCI officials that they represent!Where the movie lacks is on the telling of the story of Graeme's emotional foibles. That element of the story seems disconnected--both within the subplot and with the rest of the movie--and hard to follow. A little bit more closure and development would have been good.
Does justice to the legend
posted on 20 Aug 2006As director Douglas MacKinnon said making a good sports film is difficult and the road is littered with heroic failures. This is a good film partly because it is about cycling, a minority sport every nuance of which is not ingrained on the public consciousness, and partly because it is a well made piece of work which tells an amazing story. It does take liberties with the Obree story as anyone who has read his book will notice, but these are generally fairly minor and do not detract from dramatic piece. The acting is universally great as you would expect from actors of the stature of Brian Cox, Stephen Berkoff etc, and Johnny Lee Miller does a superb job as tortured genius Graeme Obree. The message is uplifting by demonstrating that those who have had an unhappy childhood and suffer from a mental illness can go on and achieve a huge amount in life as Graeme did, despite many setbacks and intransigent officialdom.
Obree is a Legend
posted on 17 Jul 2009I would seriously recommend seeing this film which has tremendous performances from Brian Cox, Johnny Lee Miller and the rest of this very strong cast.I was very lucky to see it during the recent Edinburgh Film Festival and hopefully it will get distribution very soon. It certainly deserves to.It tells the amazing story of Graeme Obree, a true living Scottish legend as he struggled with both his own situation and ultimately once wins against the cruel World Cycling Authorities. Go see it!