Race for Glory

When I had first seen this movie in 1989 I thought it was a really good Gp race movie. I had the heart of the all american race dream taking on the big boys and beating them at their own game. I must say it is one movie that connected with me when I was in high school dreaming of racing Gp bikes.

The person that described this as Rocky on Wheels is pretty accurate. I don't know why anyone would hate this movie so much. No, it is not the Godfather or Star Wars, but the movie is fun to watch if you are a GP fan (even if it is not the most realistic story in the world). It does not bother me that they build a bike in their garage and take it 500cc racing. I know that is impossible, but it is just a movie, it is not a documentary or a biography on a racer. If you like bike racing I say you should definitely see this movie. I give it a 5/10 for non bike racing fans and a 7/10 for bike racing fans.

What a dire film. I cannot believe that I actually sat down and watched it. A very, very, very, very, very, VERY pathetic effort, with no redeeming features whatsoever. Hateeeeeeedddd ittttt! The so-called "racing" sequences are laughably awful, and the plot was so bad, I've forgotten it. Part of the film was made at the Spa-Francorchamps course in Belgium in, I think, 1988, during the actual Grand Prix there. I was there and am glad I didn't appear in any of the paddock scenes shown in the film. It could have been good...what a pity.

Race For Glory is an accurate attempt to depict the real racing world for privateers and their battle with the major corporate sponsored teams. These two young guys try to break into the Grand Prix Circuit with their own bike. It's a sort of "Rocky on Wheels" Story. The texture and production value of the film is quite amazing for the budget which reportedly was a bit over $8 million. The production company actually sponsored two real racers who ended up as #17 and 22 on the circuit for the year. This enabled them to be on the track and set up within the racing pits. Shot on location in France, Belgium, Yugoslavia and Boston. Peter Berg's first feature and he steels the show from Alex MacArthur. No wonder Peter's career took off after this film including starring in Chicago Hope and directing features. The racing scenes are quite amazing and justifiably so 10 cameras going throughout the Grand Prix's, camera's on the grand prix bikes and world renowned and Oscar nominated Cinematographer, Jack N. Green shooting the feature.

Fans of GP motorcycle racing should rent this only because it's so bad! The movies only "good" part is the opening scene where our two would be heroes take their GP bike out for testing on the local town road. From there it's downhill...The movie revolves around to very unlikeable guys (the rider in particular) who have a dream of racing in the big time. The World Championship 500cc Grand Prix serious. This back in the days of Lawson, Schwantz, Rainey et. Anyway.... They just *build* their own 500cc GP machine in the dump of a garage. No problem. The movie is a bad joke, but it's a big laugh for bike racing fans.