Viva Knievel! (1977)

User Rating:

1.9/10   

Director:

Gordon Douglas

Writers:

Norman Katkov (writer)
Antonio Santillán (screen story)

Release Date:

June 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Biography | Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

The one and only real live Evel Knievel in his first dramatic movie role.

Plot:

As the legendary stuntman travels to Mexico to prepare for one of his greatest stunts yet, he takes time out of his schedule to meet his fans...

Plot Keywords:

Mechanic | Stunt | Mexico | Fan | Orphanage

Cast

Evel Knievel	...	Evel Knieval
Gene Kelly	...	Will Atkins
Lauren Hutton	...	Kate Morgan
Red Buttons	...	Ben Andrews
Leslie Nielsen	...	Stanley Millard
Cameron Mitchell	...	Barton
Frank Gifford	...	Himself
Eric Olson	...	Tommy Atkins
Sheila Allen	...	Sister Charity
Albert Salmi	...	Cortland
Dabney Coleman	...	Ralph Thompson
Ernie F. Orsatti	...	Norman Clark (as Ernie Orsatti)
Sidney Clute	...	Andy
Robert Tafur	...	Governor Garcia
Marjoe Gortner	...	Jessie

Also Known As:

Seconds to Live

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:PG | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Veterans Memorial Stadium - 508 E. Lew Davis Street, Long Beach, California, USA

Company:

Metropolitan (MTA)

Trivia:

Disaster film producer Irwin Allen was a silent partner on this venture. He lent his entire production team to 'Viva Knievel' as a 'thank you' to the producers of the film who -- in the past -- had assisted Allen in securing financing for The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and The Towering Inferno (1974).

Quotes:

Jessie: End of the line Evel.
Evel Knieval: What did you say?
Jessie: End of the line, man.
Evel Knieval: What are you talking about, your suppose to be at the other end.
Jessie: No. I always have been before, but not anymore. Today is my turn, my shot at the glory, I'm making this jump.
Evel Knieval: What are you talking about. Those people paid their pesos to see me jump.
Jessie: No way, man. I'm jumping. I've always known I was better than you. Today I'm gonna prove it. Now you just get out of my way.
Evel Knieval: Hey! You been smoking something? You're high!
Jessie: Man, maybe you oughtta get high! Hey man, Millard wants to kill you and your buddy Will to. You know, he even thinks he's gonna kill me.
Evel Knieval: Why? Why would he do that?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Edited into "E! True Hollywood Story: Evel Knievel" (2004)

The stunts were great, but I could jump over the plot.

Evel was a great showman, and was incredibly popular in the 1970's. For those who missed that era, or chose to forget it, at least Evel had the skill to back up the hype. There are a few stunt scenes that bear this out, including a great two-person tour around and through a small stadium on Evel's bike.

But that's about it; the plot is pretty simple, and the criminals are as stereotyped as they come. Sit back, enjoy the stunts and flashback to the 70's for a while.