The Flying Scotsman (2006)

The true story of Graeme Obree, the Champion cyclist who built his bicycle from old bits of washing machines who won his championship only to have his title stripped from him and his mental health problems which he has suffered since.

Director:

Douglas Mackinnon

Writers:

John Brown, Simon Rose

Stars:

Jonny Lee Miller, Laura Fraser, Brian Cox

7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jonny Lee Miller	...	Graeme Obree
Sean Brown	...	Young Graeme Obree
Joseph Carney	...	Child Gang Leader
Crawford McInally-Kier	...	First Child Bully
Jan Plazalski	...	Second Child Bully
Niall Macgregor	...	Graeme's Father
Julie Austin	...	Graeme's Mother
Morag Calder	...	First Office Receptionist
Billy Boyd	...	Malky
Laura Fraser	...	Anne Obree
Jean Marie Coffey	...	Woman at Finish Line
Christopher Anderson	...	Baby Ewan
Brian Cox	...	Douglas Baxter
Ron Donachie	...	Scobie
Morven Christie	...	Katie

Storyline

The Flying Scotsman is a feature film based on the remarkable true story of Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree. In 1993, and as an unemployed amateur, Obree broke the world one-hour record on a bike of his own revolutionary design, which he constructed out of scrap metal and parts of a washing machine.

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Plot Keywords:

bicycle | underdog | scot | courier | bi polar | 

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Taglines:

The true story of the unlikely champion that inspired a nation.

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some mature thematic elements and strong language

Details

Country:

Germany UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 June 2007 (UK)

Also Known As:

El escocés volador

Filming Locations:

Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£60,754 (United Kingdom), 1 July 2007, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$78,337, 6 May 2007, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$136,074, 20 May 2007

Company Credits

Production Co:

ContentFilm International, Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Scion Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

David Tennant was cast in this film but had to drop out because of changed dates.

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Goofs

Several vehicles on the 1993 Glasgow streets are models not available at that time (including a Vauxhall Tigra introduced in 1994, and a Ford Focus, which was not introduced until 1998).

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Quotes

Anne Obree: [Graeme is stretching] No you're bum does not look big in those cycling shorts

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Connections

Referenced in Passione: Episode #1.1 (2010)

User Reviews

Sometimes painful but compelling viewing

Being a relative of Graeme ( albeit fairly distant - his father and my mother were cousins)I knew the story well - I keep close contact with his Aunt ( My Mothers cousin)who would update me on how the "Scottish branch" of the family were doing. I followed Graemes career closely and remember vividly seeing his triumphs on the news. I knew about some of the issues he had to face in his life, the adversity that he had to overcome time and time again. Sitting down in a PACKED movie theatre in Christchurch NZ, I felt tremendously proud of him and e-mailed home straight away to pass on that message that, if he still has any doubts today, then I wanted him to know that, on the other side of the world, he packed a theatre out and, the chances are that, if he packed a theatre in tiny Christchurch then, he will have done so in Wellington, Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne etc. Cycling is pretty popular here in the Southern Hemisphere and there were young kids in the audience who held him up as a hero. His honesty in writing his autobiography and allowing this film to be made, no holds barred is truly an inspiration because it shows that, if he can make it, become world champion twice, break the hour record, twice, without the major sponsorship and million pound technology of his contemparies, then so can they, the young lads starting out. Graeme, you were an inspiration and you still are, to MANY MANY people. And you have earned the admiration of many many people not only with your genius designs but with your honesty in facing your demons and confronting them head on. I know the Obree family continue to be very proud of you but, ultimately, you can be immensely proud of yourself and everything you have achieved. If the Cycling fraternity were to ever appoint an ambassador for the sport to get youngsters more interested in it - it really should be you. Watching the movie was painful at times but, ultimately I came out of the theatre very, very proud and I wish you and your family all the best for the future.