I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Why so much hype?

People are voting emotionally.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

George Hamilton is looser than usual portraying 20th century phenomenon Bobby "Evel" Knievel, a young hell-raiser from Butte, Montana who graduated from motorcycle stunts in front of small rodeo crowds to death-defying jumps in front of thousands. Written by Alan Caillou and John Milius, the high-flown 'humility' from Knievel is sometimes hard to swallow (particularly his lengthy speech at the picture's opening); however, the self-praise isn't damning in the rowdy flashbacks to Knievel's early years, which include cop-baiting chases and sorority-crashing adventures. The modern-day Evel is shown as a paranoid egomaniac with a short temper, and every segue back to the present day is a bummer. Not particularly well-directed or assembled, but produced handsomely (by Hamilton) and moderately engaging. ** from ****

Was Evel Knievel the real deal? Of course he was.Was his life as presented here the real deal? Not completely. This is after all silly,1970s late night drive in hokum at it's best. As far as bad movies of the 1970s go,I have certainly seen worse. I received this as a "gag" gift this past Christmas and just watched it last night.To me George Hamilton is the only "actor" famous for being famous,instead of for his movies. (Without peeking at the IMDb list,name another!) He's really funny here,intentional or not and just like I said about KISS Meets the Phantom or Gozilla Vs. Megalon,we shouldn't take this too seriously. I don't believe he dynamited city hall either,I think someone behind the scenes wanted more action than just motorcycle jumping. There was also that anti-police feeling in the 70s too,which would explain Bobby Knievel making the police look stupid.The funniest scene in this movie is when he drives his motorcycle through the front door of his girl's place and up the stairs to her room. After the landlady said "no men here after 10pm"!It's just dumb fun to be had by all,who may once in awhile want to steer away (no joke intended) from "real" movies and just kick back and enjoy the ride. One day I'll find "Viva Knievel" but for now,with his passing not long ago,it's the only tribute I can pay the man. Unless I go out and find a wind up motorcycle from my childhood. Here's to you Evel and a wink & nod to Mr. Hamilton for at least capturing Evel's crazy side. (END)

This film is a comedy and a satire, and as both, it is a double-edged sword - it laughs with it's target audience - 'good ol' boys' and wannabees along the drive-in circuit, primarily in the South - and at them. It is dangerous to laugh at this film, because you may find out you're laughing at yourself - but of course, it is so good-humored, you won't be able to avoid it.This film is not really an Evel Knieval biopic; it is really a study in the culture that makes Knieval possible. The makers of this film - primarily producer-star Hamilton - understand that in the 20th century, Americans developed an unhealthy fascination for 'sports' wherein the performers flirted with death; this could only make sense if some of the performers actually did die. The performers themselves well understood that, but all believed they were invincible, that therefore they were manipulating the secret desire of the audience rather than satisfying it. However, inevitably some - like the rodeo bull-rider early in this film - just did die; no human is invincible, after all.How do film-makers address such a culture without getting cynical or preachy about it? You take one such 'sports'-star and take him on face-value. The ground of this film is the Evel Knieval legend that Knieval himself was hyping at every opportunity - it is simply arraigned in a way that many of his tall-tales reveal themselves as just 'too much' for their own good - even if true, why would anybody do that? Finally, one has to note that this is a fine specimen of a film made specifically for the drive-in circuit: clearly enunciated dialog (those car-speakers), over-lit (has to play against moonlight), fast-paced, careful avoidance of close-ups (only Sergio Leone's were able to hold attention at the drive-in), sweeping scenery, episodic (plenty opportunities for couples to neck), and none too deep.Bottom-line: I first saw this film 20 years ago and only recently saw it again; neither the film nor my opinion of it has changed much all those years - there must be something that still works here.

Marvelous AND surreal biography of the craziest man ever to jump a phalanx of buses on "Wide World of Sports." When I was a kid I even had the Evel Knievel doll and revved-up bike--which could actually soar across the linoleum floor. Returning to the movie, you would be hard pressed to find a more carefree fellow than Evel. He prides himself on his plethora of broken bones and slipped disks. Actual footage of his real jumps is seamlessly cut into the film. It's truly amazing this man is still alive to this day. Remember, once he really did try to fly over a canyon named "Snake River." George Hamilton torpedoed his own career by making poor choices along the way--but this was his zenith. Sue Lyon lends a sympathetic ear and is easy on the eye. This movie promises even more when Mr. Knievel pops a wheelie across the Grand Canyon. Well, not really. But one can dream. Later on, Knievel would star in his own bio-pic called "Viva Knievel."