Evel Knievel (2004)

Since boyhood, orphan Bobby 'Evel' Knievel never could resist risks or keep out of trouble. He's determined to leave the mining town Butte, willing to try any job or scam. Linda Bork agrees... See full summary »

Director:

John Badham

Writers:

Jason Horwitch (teleplay), Steve Mandich (book)

Stars:

George Eads, Jaime Pressly, Lance Henriksen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Eads	...	Evel
Jaime Pressly	...	Linda Bork
Lance Henriksen	...	'Awful' Knoffel
Matt Gordon
Peter MacNeill
Fred Dalton Thompson	...	Jay Sarno
Beau Bridges	...	John Bork
Jake Brockman	...	Young Bobby / Evel
Maggie Butterfield	...	Ethel Bork
Brayden Jones	...	Kelly Knievel
Riley Jones	...	Robbie Knievel
Madeleine Butler	...	Tracey Knievel
Thomas Price	...	Younger Robbie
Connor Price	...	Younger Kelly
Elle Dhanani	...	Younger Tracey

Storyline

Since boyhood, orphan Bobby 'Evel' Knievel never could resist risks or keep out of trouble. He's determined to leave the mining town Butte, willing to try any job or scam. Linda Bork agrees to join his adventurous life. Slowly he makes a name for himself using his gift with motorbikes - as an original, traveling stunt-rider. A nearly fatal jump and fall at Caesar's Palace bring national fame. An unprecedented manned rocket canyon jump proves a nightmare challenge.

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Plot Keywords:

fall | bikini | kiss | urination | bare chested male | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

TNT

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 July 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Evel

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

ApolloMedia Distribution, ApolloProScreen Filmproduktion, Icon Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo (as Dolby Digital)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Evel drops Linda off at home then drives down the street, cars used in the present day can be seen at the end if the street in stead of 1950 model cars.

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Connections

Features ABC's Wide World of Sports (1961)

User Reviews

Good as a TV-movie, but not the real deal

Looked forward to seeing this movie, and thought the casting was a good opportunity to make a good Knievel movie. George Eads seemed he could put in a good performance as Evel, and you can't take your eyes off Jamie Pressley in every scene she's in. Add Beau Bridges and Lance Henriksen, and it sounds like the makings of a good biography that has never been properly made. Not sure what went wrong here, but there were so many odd mistakes in the shooting, and what seem to be unnecessary changes to historical details that create distractions in watching the movie, and make the overall product seen cheap and "hammy". I tried to stay entertained, but the movie does not have factual credibility and lacks any production polish, it makes it hard to watch. The story flows in a choppy manner, including scenes that detail odd perspectives of his life that go nowhere, and then skips chunks of events and even ends abruptly. The product lacks a theme or specific point. Not an offensive movie, nor painful to watch, but I am more convinced after this movie that a quality movie about the legendary figure of Evel Knievel has yet to be made. Upon discovering this movie (it was 5 or 6 years old by the time I saw it) was a made-for-TV movie on TNT or some other station, the production limitations are obvious, and I am impressed the movie was even as good as it was.