Cycling Films: Graeme Obree is a former Scottish professional cyclist. He became known for his unconventional stance in time trials. The film Flying Scotsman tells his story.
Flying Scotsman: The True Story of Graeme Obree
Graeme Obree did not have an easy youth. As a child he was an outsider. Only cycling gave him a feeling of security and strength. In the movie Flying Scotsman Screenwriters Simon Rose and John Brown and director Douglas Mackinnon tell the gripping life story of the exceptional Scottish athlete. Graeme Obree became known not only because of his world championship title and world records in the individual pursuit, but above all because of his unconventional sitting position. In 1993 and 1994 he was able to improve the hour record. However, these were later withdrawn because of his aerodynamically well-designed special bicycle.
More than just a sports film
In Flying Scotsman but it should not only be about the professional cyclist Graeme Obree, but also about the people behind it. The Scot suffers from bipolar disorder. He lost his brother in a car accident in 1994 and attempted suicide twice. After his marriage failed with two children, he made his homosexuality public in 2011.
The daily newspaper:
“The rebel's fight against the establishment is staged here with a lot of humor, but Obree's story also has a dark side, because the exceptional sporting talent suffered from severe depression at times. And so the flying Scot threatens to end up as a 'hanging Scotsman' right at the beginning of the film.”
Lexicon of international film:
"Based on the true story of cycling world champion Graeme Obree, a likeable sports film that dispenses with the usual clichés of the genre and condenses into an exciting tragedy."
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