BATTLE MOUNTAIN
Graeme Obree’s Story Graeme Obree’s challenge to beat the human powered speed record as well as his own challenge to beat his demons and find contentment.
Director: David Street Production: Journey Pictures Ltd Released: 01/04/2016
Duration: 104 mins
Certificate: 10+
For anybody who is a fan of Obree this film gives a real insight into how his mind works. He is obviously an amazingly talented guy from both a technical and a cycling point of view. The film starts with the journey through Nevada to Battle Mountain, weather somewhat similar to Scotland and Graeme Obree saying “if you are a tiger among animals, you might be a slightly aging tiger, slightly less able tiger, but you are still a tiger among animals, the thing is the stop watch doesn’t care what age you are; the power meter doesn’t care what age you are, that speed trap doesn’t care what age you are and I know that I have still got the ability to do it.” This sets the scene for the forthcoming event. Graeme’s singlemindedness, which carries us through the film, is summed up in his early comment about travelling at 90 mph with your nose just 6cm from the tarmac and it being quite exciting. An understatement to the rest of us but just a normal event the world which he shares with us.
The film leads back to his kitchen where only Graeme Obree would cover his table with spanners, hack saws and plumbing tools upon a table cloth of plans for his ‘Beastie.’ There is a reference to the washing machine that formed part of his infamous hour record bike but this time he chooses an old saucepan and some rollerblades from the charity shop as parts for this homegrown record breaker. There are flash backs to his world champion days on Old Faithful and the rivalry between him and Chris Boardman.
It is moving to see the bond between him and his sons as they devise ways to overcome the problems associated with building this machine. There are regular references to his family and how he and his late brother used cycling to escape from bullying by local children. There are shots of him training on his bike showcasing Scotland’s beautiful scenery and of Graeme talking about how he has coped with depression and his realisation that once you have tried to kill yourself you then have to appreciate being alive. There is a real sense that he is now in a much better place than he was in the past.
The ‘Beastie’ begins to take shape in both his mind and in practice as he goes out onto the road to try it out. They then have the difficult task of designing the outer shell. The first attempt doesn’t fit properly and has to be held together with duct tape. The film continues to show the progress with a countdown to the day of the record attempt. They are beset with problems, including a severe health setback but the film shows his grit and determination to pull success from the jaws of failure. He is a man obsessed with getting it right, and achieving something not just for himself but for friends and family that put so much faith and effort into his project.
This film will appeal to a wide audience, the cyclists amongst us as well as engineers, designers and psychologists as it is a fascinating insight into how the mind works and man’s ability to solve and overcome problems. Illuminating for those who know Obree, inspiring for those who want to meet the man.