Search - The Last of the Gladiators: Evel Knievel on DVD

Flawed But Engaging

Steve Abell | Texas | 12/15/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Evel Knievel: Last Of The Gladiators" provides a comprehensive overview of Evel Knievel's career with extensive footage of many of his most famous jumps. The movie is narrated by Knievel himself and, presumably, made with his full approval. Much of the movie focuses on the angle that although he was something of a hoodlum as a youth, the police and everyone else in his hometown liked him. Also, annoyingly, clips from the George Hamilton movie "Evel Knievel" are intercut with interviews involving people who knew him as a youth and clips of Knievel himself, reminiscing. The editing is poorly executed and amateurish. At the 29 minute mark, the movie picks up speed as we finally see the first real jump, the infamous Caesar's Palace. This jump and horrible landing are just as gut wrenching as I remember. Unfortunately, the film of this has not held up well and is begging for some digital remastering. It's extremely washed out looking and it doesn't help that the filmmakers add some really bad sound effects. Subsequent jump footage looks much better but all of them suffer from the filmmakers added sound effects. Hearing Knievel's analysis of each jump, I was amazed at just how little concern for safety he had. A lot of times he went for the jump even though he knew there was a problem with the bike or with the path he would have to take once he completed the jump. Despite the film's efforts to whitewash some of his character issues, it's easy to read between the lines. It was a lot of fun to see these jumps again, especially Snake River Canyon. Brought back a lot of childhood memories. Recommended for anyone curious about Evel Knievel but you must have patience, this movie falls somewhere between a documentary and a vanity project. It's extremely self-indulgent in parts and about 40 minutes too long.
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King of the stuntmen

Wm. Steele | Texas, USA | 03/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great DVD to introduce the greatest motorcycle daredevil to a whole new generation of young adults, who have just heard of Evel, but never seen him in action. I had the pleasure of growing up watching him defy death on ABC TV in the 70's. He is in my opinion the grandfather of "extreme sports"
and deserves all the respect for starting this type of sport."

Grab this great doco NOW!

R. Smallridge | New Zealand | 03/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is by far the best collection of Evel Knievel on film, what they don't tell you above is that Evel, himself, narrates his own life story from the ups and the downs he experienced in his unique life, I was so hocked listening to him I didn't notice the musical score. This has all the footage of the "Spectacular Jumps" DVD and more. Its over 100 minutes long too."

Evel is #1

B. Israel | Zanesville, Ohio USA | 03/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've already watched this DVD several times. If you're nostalgic for the 70's and an Evel Knievel fan like I was growing up, buy this. When Evel was jumping trucks in the early 70's, I was setting up ramps and jumping my bicycle over the neighbors bicycles! trying to copy Evel. Great DVD!"