Hell on Wheels
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Movie Reviews of Hell on Wheels
Movie Review: Cyclists' perspective of the Tour de France - Buy It!
Summary: 5 Stars
Its not often nowadays that we get a chance to see the Tour de France without complete focus on the exploits of Lance Armstrong, rider extraordinaire, triathlete, marathoner, etc. etc. While I respect and admire Armstrong's accomplishments as much as the next fan, this movie isn't about Lance.
Likewise, its not about Phil and Paul and their increasingly tiresome OLN coverage.
So what is Hell on Wheels all about? Its a German film (yes, in German but with clearly visible English subtitles) that follows the Telekom boys during the 2003 Tour de France, an epic battle between the fore-mentioned Lance and Jan Ullrich (who incidentally rode for Bianchi that year). Lance and Jan appear frequently but not as principal characters. Tyler Hamilton (who rode the entire race with a broken collarbone) and Andreas Kloden (who rode a few stages with a broken coxyx also figure as side characters. The primary characters are Rolf Aldag, Erik Zabel (roomates) and their masseuse/assistant Eule, a grizzled old guy who looks like he's seen his share of riders come and go. In between race footage, we hear from an older gentleman who appears to have spent a little too much time in the Tour archives as he narrates great black and white footage from the very first years. Although he's a little out there, he lends a French flair to the film.
In between exhilarating takes on the TdF stages, from beginning to end, we see the riders recovering, musing the day's performance, and suffering the fallout of daily crashes, mountain stages, etc. We often hear Erik and Rolf talking over the race as Eule works out the kinks on the massage table. Zabel in particular is in for some soul searching as he just can't seem to come up with that sprint win. Aldag takes the mountain jersey, but the next day cracks, showing us just how fleeting victory can be in the TdF - and how phenomenal the winners really are. Be prepared for stunning footage of the mountain stages where we see just how tough these stages and bikers can be.
Camera work is magnificent - integrating fixed television-style feed with hand-held shots that give the viewer perspectives we never get on OLN or any other TV coverage. My favorite scene is in the Alps when Armstrong, Ullrich, and Mayo flash by at arm's length - showing how incredibly fast these riders go up mountain passes.
While non cyclists may or may not enjoy the drama of the Tour, cyclists will definitely groove on the racing footage. The euro-pop sound track with plenty of solid bass sounds great and the Dolby surround is all class. I've watched the video as a movie and used it while on the trainer - either way its a great buy! Gte it for yourself or for your favorite cyclist - they'll love it!
Movie Review: Great Insider Look at the Tour
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this DVD a few months ago and have watched it several times. It's an amazingly candid look at the workings of the tour and shows what a grueling and dangerous challenge it is for the athletes. The inside view you get is of the spectators out on the various mountain slopes and in the cities partying, watching the advertising cars go by, and patiently waiting for the tour to quickly zip by. You also get a glimpse of the set-up and take-down that occurs each day at the start and finish lines, including the amazing array of telecommunications equipment.
The main focus of the DVD is the T-Mobile team. This is the year Ulrich rode for Bianchi but the team does include Vinokourov, Kloden, Zabel, and Aldag. There is some beautiful cinematography matched with a great soundtrack showing many of the stages. Stock footage is also incorporated to show some of the tremendous crashes that occurred that year. Even within the T-Mobile team, most of the time is spent with Zabel and Aldag. I was surprised at how open they were in the interviews. Many of the interviews are in their hotel room during their after-ride massages or in the bus at the finish line. Zabel had a tough time that year and doesn't attempt to hide his doubt and disappointment.
I've passed this among my cycling buddies, some of which have been to the tour and they've all had rave reviews. It's been a very motivational DVD for me.
Movie Review: Best recent film on cycling
Summary: 5 Stars
As cyclist and fan of cycling for most of my 50 odd years, I love this movie and have watched it many times, especially during the off season as the vivid sights and sounds remind me of how much I love the sport. My favorite scenes are in the mountain stages, like the nearly slow motion climb of a lone rider up a steep Alpe gradient against the score of a wailing electric guitar, the rider straining, sweat pouring down his pain-stricken expression -- oh how many times I've been there myself.
Great filming that you won't get in the usual televised race coverage, a terrific musical score, fascinating and surprisingly intimate behind the scenes views of the Telekom riders, the noisy marketing & support caravans, the cheering multitudes along the roadside and other eccentric fans, and especially the closeup cycling action make this a worthwhile addition to any cycling fan's collection.
Movie Review: A Humanizing View of Athletes
Summary: 5 Stars
This documentary, covering the T-Mobile team during the 2003 Tour de France, is a superb portrait of the life of a professional athlete. Erik Zabel is seen at the beginning of the downside of his outstanding career as a sprinter, unable to beat the younger lions of the sport. The massage sessions after the race and the discussions during them are outstanding for their insight into the pysche of a cyclist competing at a world-class level. Rolf Aldag and other domestiques illustrate the motivational challenges faced by those that make a living racing bicycles out of the limelight of the Zabels, Armstrongs and Ullrichs, and physical toll it takes to compete in the most famous race in the world. Television coverage never really gives us the pictures that this film does-all of the nitty gritty details that go into racing, and surviving, in the Tour. Highly recommended.Movie Review: Two Wheeled Passion
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this DVD after seeing 'Hell on Wheels' in a local theatre. It offers a candid view into the workings of the Tour de France and you are left with a real sense of the passion that this tour engenders in teams, riders and the fans.
The focus is on the German Telekom team and Aldag and Zabel in particular. They are refreshingly open during the interviews, many during post ride massages or on the team bus. They make no attempt to hide their doubts and fears. During one Zabel, laments the bad day he had: only able to average 45 km/h! (I'd settle for that problem)
Camera work is excellent and the soundtrack great. It is in German with English sub-titles which doesn't lessen the viewing pleasure. So if you love cycling and or follow the tour then Hell on Wheels is a must buy, must view (many times) DVD