Every sport needs its pioneers and when it comes to stunt driving on a motorcycle there is only one name that comes to mind: Evel Knievel. Even though a lot of people won’t know exactly what he did, his name is still well-known. This documentary shows the life of a legend and tells the story about how a simple boy eventually found his calling and made a career out of it which would earn him millions.
Even though Evel isn’t around anymore, thought interviews and archival material directors Derik Murray and David Ray try to show the viewer who he was and what he accomplished. Not only his wife and sons talk about their father, but also his crew members and celebrities like Matthew McConaughey (who was friends with him and previously made a documentary about him), Michelle Rodriguez and Kid Rock also tell what he meant to them.
Before Knievel found the job that would make him famous, jumping over things (whether it were cars or rattle snakes), he had all kind of jobs and regularly did criminal things as well, like breaking into banks. He was a man who loved taking risks, knew what the possible consequences were and because of it tried to enjoy each and every moment. He loved spending his money (sometimes quicker than he earned it) and lived like a king with beautiful cars, two private jets (so he was able to see his name on the other one when they were both flying) and many women, despite having a family. During the seventies he was extremely popular (he even had his own toy collection) and was the inspiration for many films.
I Am Evel Knievel shows what kind of daredevil he was. Someone who jumped motorcycles that weren’t made to fly through the air, heavy Harley Davidsons. Someone who dreamt about jumping great distances and realizing it, despite trouble to get there. Evel Knievel was a special man, who was one of the first men to do “extreme sports” as we know them today.
Haven’t seen this yet, but I must since I grew up during the Evel Knievel. Yes, I had some of the toys. I knew he had 2 jets, but not his reasoning. That is the greatest/dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.