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.
- David
- (as David Grant)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen 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.
- GoofsWhen Sarah picks up the rock it is fairly large. Later when Becky is showing off the rock it is much smaller.
- 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!
- ConnectionsFeatured in At the Movies: Worst Movies of Summer 1985 (1985)
It's Costner who gets Grant to train seriously by promising to come out of retirement and race with him in the great Colorado bike race known as American Hell because of the stark barrenness of the landscape they race on. What Grant doesn't know is that Costner has an aneurysm which can break at any time and cause instant but painless death. It gives Costner an added incentive to get Grant to straighten up and fly right.
There are some nice scenes with Costner and Grant and Janice Rule who plays their mother. Their dad died of this same thing and the tendency to aneurysm is inherited. There's a couple of women attracted to the Summers boys, Rae Dawn Chong and Alexandra Paul who become biker groupies. I suppose every sport and every musician has them.
The cycling scenes are beautifully photographed in Colorado and are worth seeing the film alone. But the essence of American Flyers isn't sport or scenery, it's the conflict between the brothers who come together in the end as good families do.
You might want to take up cycling yourself after seeing American Flyers.
- bkoganbing
- Jul 15, 2017
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Die Sieger - American Flyers
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,420,355
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $78,345
- Aug 18, 1985
- Gross worldwide
- $1,420,355
- Runtime1 hour 53 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1