Filmhouse, Edinburgh, 14 August 2006

Jonny Lee Miller as Graeme Obree

COUNTLESS FILMS have charted the triumph of a sporting underdog. ‘Rocky’ and ‘Chariots Of Fire’ are among the most celebrated examples.

The formula has almost become a cliché, but ‘The Flying Scotsman’ adds an extra human dimension to the experience; champion Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree wasn’t just chasing records, he was also fighting personal demons.

The first feature film from Skye-born Douglas Mackinnon, The Flying Scotsman received its world premiere as the opening night of the 60th Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Belying its troubled production history, it emerges as a solidly crafted, beautifully acted biographical heartwarmer. The story begins with a dejected Obree (Jonny Lee Miller) heading into the woods intent on taking his own life.

A traditional flashback structure carefully balances his struggles for professional success with the darker moments of a man scarred by childhood abuse and a crippling sense of worthlessness.

We gain a sense of his stubborn, self-contained character as he constructs his bike from scrap metal and old washing machine parts. It is a vehicle that allows him to smash the world one-hour cycling record and become world cycling champion in 1993 and 1995.

We also see how victory becomes meaningless to him. Even a world champion needs to reach out for the friendship, compassion and support being offered by his wife (Laura Fraser), manager Malky (Billy Boyd), and the kindly minister Douglas Baxter (Brian Cox).

Handsomely shot in Scottish locations, ‘The Flying Scotsman’ has a cinematic sweep to its storytelling and a sense of restraint that steers clear of sentimentality. Mackinnon wisely realises that the story has enough of an emotional kick without tipping over into melodrama and his sincere, well-acted production brings an honest tear to the eye.

Director: Douglas Mackinnon
Stars: Jonny Lee Miller, Brian Cox, Billy Boyd, Laura Fraser, Movern Christie, Steven Berkoff.
Screenwriters: John Brown, Declan Hughes, Simon Rose
Running time: 105 mins
Country: UK/Germany
Year: 2006

(UK distribution to be confirmed)

© Allan Hunter, 2006

Associated Page

• Douglas Mackinnon