The Flying Scotsman (2006) on Netflix
Graeme Obree, a Scottish amateur cyclist, runs a failing bike shop. He aims to break the world one-hour record, building a bike from scrap metal and washing machine parts.
- Netflix3.6/5
- IMDb7.0/106,443 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes50%
Trailer
Plot summary
Graeme Obree is bullied as a schoolboy in Scotland, and uses the bicycle his parents give him to get away from his attackers. As an adult he races locally, runs a failing bike shop and works as a bicycle courier. He meets Malky McGovern, a fellow courier who becomes his friend and manager, and Baxter, a boatyard owner who befriends him. Graeme decides to take on the world one-hour record, though he has neither the funding nor the machine for it. Chris Boardman plans an attempt in nine weeks, so Graeme gives himself eight to build a bike, raise funds and book a velodrome. In Baxter's yard he assembles Old Faithful from scrap metal and washing machine parts.
Cast
- Sean Brownas Young Graeme Obree
- Joseph Carneyas Child Gang Leader
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about The Flying Scotsman (2006)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Days before shooting was due to start in 2002, the death of a key American investor collapsed The Flying Scotsman, and East Ayrshire Council refused further funding after its original £5,000; producer Peter Broughan called the decision "a disgrace".
- Producer Peter Broughan tried to sack director Douglas Mackinnon, but producer Damita Nikapota, who had secured pre-production finance from Freewheel Productions, refused to let it happen.
- Jonny Lee Miller joined the project in 2002 and spent time with cyclist Graeme Obree to pick up his mannerisms and speech patterns; Obree later stood in for Miller during some of the film's cycling sequences.
- The film was shot largely in Galston, Scotland, with velodromes in Germany standing in for places in the story such as Colombia, France and Norway.
