Bath Film Festival 2007

The Flying Scotsman

This study of courage and ingenuity set against overwhelming odds recounts the real-life story of Graham Obree, an 27 year-old amateur cyclist who came out of nowhere in 1993 to smash the world one-hour cycling record using a bike of his own revolutionary design, constructed out of scrap metal and washing machine parts. Twice world champion, Obree’s other struggle was with a clinical depression reinforced by the loneliness and isolation of cycling as a sport, as the disturbing opening scene reveals. Mackinnon forgoes the clichéd climax of a triumph in slow-motion backed by stirring music in favour of scenes of a modest man battling his own inner demons - by far the biggest obstacle to beat. VT

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