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.

---

Plot Keywords:

bicycle | underdog | scot | courier | bi polar | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Drama | Sport

---

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:

O Escocês Voador

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.

---

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).

---

Quotes

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

---

Connections

Referenced in Passione: Episode #1.1 (2010)

User Reviews

THE movie for cyclists

First, this movie is much better than "Chariots of Fire," albeit without the famous soundtrack. Second, this movie speaks to anyone who has spent hours on a stationary bike, pedaled through verdant countryside, or has challenged themselves to 100 mile day. Third, this movie will resonant with those who've been forced to deal with depression and survived.

I think the cinematography was terrific, except for some of the closeups of Obree on the oval. However, the shots of his front wheel and the tunnel vision which develop during a maximum effort are splendid.

While pushing personal limits of time and distance, there's no way a cyclist won't think about Obree's extreme effort and success.