American Flyers (1985)

Sports physician Marcus persuades his unstable brother David to come with him and train for a bicycle race across the Rocky Mountains. He doesn't tell him that he has a brain aneurysm which... See full summary »

Director:

John Badham

Writer:

Steve Tesich

Stars:

Kevin Costner, David Marshall Grant, Rae Dawn Chong

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Costner	...	Marcus Sommers
David Marshall Grant	...	David (as David Grant)
Rae Dawn Chong	...	Sarah
Alexandra Paul	...	Becky
Janice Rule	...	Mrs. Sommers
Luca Bercovici	...	Muzzin
Robert Townsend	...	Jerome
John Amos	...	Dr. Conrad
Doi Johnson	...	Randolph
John Garber	...	Belov
Jennifer Grey	...	Leslie
James Terry	...	Hitchhiker
Jessica Nelson	...	Hitchhiker
Tom Lawrence	...	Timekeeper
Brian Drebber	...	Race Announcer

Storyline

Sports physician Marcus persuades his unstable brother David to come with him and train for a bicycle race across the Rocky Mountains. He doesn't tell him that he has a brain aneurysm which could render him paralyzed or dead at any given moment. While David powerfully heads for the victory, Marcus has to realize that the contest is now beyond his capabilities. / Features great views of the Rockies and an insight in the tactics of bicycle races.

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Plot Keywords:

bicycle | bicycle race | brother | fatal illness | dying man | 

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Taglines:

They're four one-of-a-kind people taking a chance...and going after a dream that will change their lives forever. [Theatrical]

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 August 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Sieger - American Flyers

Filming Locations:

Laclede's Landing, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$1,400,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

WW Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the "shake and brake" "wheelsucker" horse race scene, the cowboys were told to hold the horses back, as the director wanted the cyclists to beat them.

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Goofs

David is in his room watching the Kung-Fu movie and has the remote in his right hand on his chest. When Marcus enters the room, David has the remote in his left hand by his side but in the next shot it is back on his chest in his right hand.

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Quotes

David: How can you be sick? You have a mustache.

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Connections

Features Kung Fu (1972)

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Soundtracks

Gone Ridin'
Written & Performed by Chris Isaak

User Reviews

It coulda been great!

This sentimental film which one reviewer terms a "cult classic for cyclists..." is disappointing. Yes, as a former cyclist who was racing at a time long before cycling was popular, it does have some scenes that bring back memories of the adrenaline rush of riding in the pack (I was usually well at the rear) and the long hours of training. The scene where they have to sprint past a pit bull is memorable too, but most cyclists can outsprint dogs. However, when you compare this film to the 1979 Breaking Away, it doesn't stand up. Frankly, I found the theme of an athlete with a potential life-threatening condition to be a bit over-wrought and excessive sentimental. David Marshall Grant has his day in the sun alongside Costner and gives less than a memorable performance. Rae Dawn Chong is, as always, charming but the rest of the cast fades away. This is not a bad film and is one that could have been outstanding, with a bit of work. It's too bad that Hollywood too often makes films based on sport stories which avail little about the sport itself. Indeed, their portrayal of the sport winds up being what they (Hollywood marketeers) think main stream America thinks the sport looks like. This film was made before cycling was brought into the public eye by such outstanding American athletes as Davis Phinney, Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong. My impression that the reviewer who chose to deem this film a "cult classic for cyclists" did so because there wasn't much else out there to fill that bill.