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American Flyers

  • 19851985
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
6.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
American Flyers (1985)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:26
1 Video
62 Photos
  • Drama
  • Sport

Marcus takes his kid brother, David, with him for a physical test and a brain scan, suspecting cerebral aneurysm like their dad died of. They head off on bikes for the big Rockies bike race ... Read allMarcus takes his kid brother, David, with him for a physical test and a brain scan, suspecting cerebral aneurysm like their dad died of. They head off on bikes for the big Rockies bike race with Marcus' Sarah driving the van.Marcus takes his kid brother, David, with him for a physical test and a brain scan, suspecting cerebral aneurysm like their dad died of. They head off on bikes for the big Rockies bike race with Marcus' Sarah driving the van.

IMDb RATING
6.4/10
6.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Badham
  • Writer
    • Steve Tesich
  • Stars
    • Kevin Costner
    • David Marshall Grant
    • Rae Dawn Chong
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Badham
  • Writer
    • Steve Tesich
  • Stars
    • Kevin Costner
    • David Marshall Grant
    • Rae Dawn Chong
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 50User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    American Flyers
    Trailer 1:26
    American Flyers

    Photos62

    Kevin Costner, Alexandra Paul, Rae Dawn Chong, and David Marshall Grant in American Flyers (1985)
    American Flyers (1985)
    American Flyers (1985)
    American Flyers (1985)
    Kevin Costner and David Marshall Grant in American Flyers (1985)
    Kevin Costner in American Flyers (1985)
    American Flyers (1985)
    American Flyers (1985)
    Kevin Costner and David Marshall Grant in American Flyers (1985)
    Jennifer Grey in American Flyers (1985)
    Kevin Costner and David Marshall Grant in American Flyers (1985)
    Alexandra Paul in American Flyers (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kevin Costner
    Kevin Costner
    • Marcus Sommersas Marcus Sommers
    David Marshall Grant
    David Marshall Grant
    • Davidas David
    Rae Dawn Chong
    Rae Dawn Chong
    • Sarahas Sarah
    Alexandra Paul
    Alexandra Paul
    • Beckyas Becky
    Janice Rule
    Janice Rule
    • Mrs. Sommersas Mrs. Sommers
    Luca Bercovici
    Luca Bercovici
    • Muzzinas Muzzin
    Robert Townsend
    Robert Townsend
    • Jeromeas Jerome
    John Amos
    John Amos
    • Dr. Conradas Dr. Conrad
    Doi Johnson
    • Randolphas Randolph
    John Garber
    • Belovas Belov
    Jennifer Grey
    Jennifer Grey
    • Leslieas Leslie
    James Terry
    • Hitchhikeras Hitchhiker
    Jessica Nelson
    • Hitchhikeras Hitchhiker
    Tom Lawrence
    Tom Lawrence
    • Timekeeperas Timekeeper
    Brian Drebber
    • Race Announceras Race Announcer
    Judith Jordan
    Judith Jordan
    • Woman Reporteras Woman Reporter
    Katherine Kriss
    • Veraas Vera
    Jan Speck
    • Receptionistas Receptionist
    • Director
      • John Badham
    • Writer
      • Steve Tesich
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Sports physician Marcus persuades his unstable brother David to come with him and train for a bicycle race across the Rocky Mountains. Marcus doesn't tell David that he has a brain aneurysm which could render him paralyzed or dead at any given moment. While David powerfully heads for the victory, Marcus has to realize that the contest is now beyond his capabilities. / Features great views of the Rockies and an insight in the tactics of bicycle races. —Tom Zoerner <Tom.Zoerner@informatik.uni-erlangen.de>
    • cycling sport
    • bicycle
    • bicycle race
    • brother
    • brother versus brother
    • 50 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • They're four one-of-a-kind people taking a chance...and going after a dream that will change their lives forever. [Theatrical]
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Sport
    • Certificate
      • PG-13
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When the cyclists are racing at "Monumental National Park" (actually Colorado National Monument, west of Grand Junction, Colorado) one of the cyclists (an extra) falls off and goes over the edge. He actually went over a drop off that was about 1,000 feet, and was only saved from major injuries when a small tree snagged his bike.
    • Goofs
      The racy photo from David's girl was face-up on his bed when the audience first sees it. When the actor stands up from the bed with the print stuck to his backside, the picture faces the audience, indicating that the picture was flipped, then attached to the actor.
    • Quotes

      Woman Reporter: It's a big day for American cycling, to have two Americans beat an Olympic champ. You must feel some pride.

      Jerome: Come on man, walk it off.

      Muzzin: No, no, I'm alright. OK. I'm not riding for America lady. I tried riding for America. I spent four years of my life working shitty jobs so I could train and make the Olympic team and ride for my... Look at me! And then some fatasses in Washington started having opinions. The Olympic Committee started having opinions. You, you bitch, I know you! You started writing your opinions. So we boycott the Olympics. I was in the best shape of my life in the summer of 1980 and I got beat by opinions.

      Woman Reporter: Is that why you're boycotting the victory ceremony?

      Muzzin: What victory? There's two stages left.

      Woman Reporter: Still, the fact remains...

      Muzzin: You wouldn't know a fact if it banged you all night long!

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Worst Movies of Summer 1985 (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Brand New Day
      Written by Lee Ritenour, Matheison & Veitch

      Performed by Danny Hutton

    User reviews50

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Great movie, even for non-bike-lovers
    Don't write this off just because it's a bicycle movie; it's more than that. If you happen to like bike riding, this is an absolute must-see. But even if you can't even function without training wheels (like yours truly) there's still a lot to love about American Flyers.

    If you liked Breaking Away (a bike riding movie from 1979), you'll be happy to hear American Flyers was written by the same person, Steve Tesich. In American Flyers, two brothers enter into a bike race, and during the training and the race itself, tensions run high! Of course, there's romance along the way, and some brother banter that leaves audiences conflicted about whose side to take.

    John Badham's gentle directorial touch is seen in this film; the actors work off each other with a wonderful rapport and have a strong sense of their characters, part of Badham's signature in his directing. He's also known for creating interesting and intense action scenes. Watch the bicycle race scenes to see what I mean!
    helpful•4
    0
    • HotToastyRag
    • Jun 18, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 16, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die Sieger - American Flyers
    • Filming locations
      • Colorado National Monument, Colorado, USA
    • Production company
      • WW Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,420,355
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $78,345
      • Aug 18, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,420,355
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

    Kevin Costner in American Flyers Available on Blu-ray April12th From Warner Archive
    Kevin Costner in American Flyers Available on Blu-ray April12th From Warner Archive
    Mar 28WeAreMovieGeeks.com
    Vito Schnabel, Julia Fox & Steven Van Zandt To Star In Dark Comedy ‘The Trainer’; ‘American History X’s Tony Kaye Directing From Script By Schnabel And Jeff Solomon
    Vito Schnabel, Julia Fox & Steven Van Zandt To Star In Dark Comedy ‘The Trainer’; ‘American History X’s Tony Kaye Directing From Script By Schnabel And Jeff Solomon
    Mar 18Deadline Film + TV

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