Watch Being Evel

Being Evel is a 2015 documentary that takes us on a thrilling journey through the life of the iconic American stunt performer, Robert Craig Knievel, popularly known as Evel Knievel. The movie is directed and produced by Daniel Junge and has a runtime of 99 minutes. The film is an in-depth portrayal of the man behind the legend, Knievel, who rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s with his awe-inspiring and often dangerous motorcycle stunts. The documentary features interviews with Knievel's family, friends, admirers, and critics, along with archival footage of his stunts, and examines the origins of his craze, the passion that drove him to perform death-defying stunts, and the ultimate cost of his fame.

The movie delves into Knievel's early life, his childhood in Montana, his struggles with the law, and his brief stint as a professional hockey player. It then proceeds to explore his entry into the world of daredevil stunts, where he attempted to jump over cars and buses on his motorcycle. The documentary showcases some of the most iconic moments of his career, such as his jump over the fountains of Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and his attempt to jump over the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.

Being Evel also highlights the behind-the-scenes drama and the personal battles that Knievel faced, particularly his battles with alcoholism, his multiple marriages, and his estranged relationship with his children. The movie brings to the forefront the toll that his stunts took on him, both physically and mentally, and how he became a victim of his own success.

The film features interviews with a range of people who were close to Knievel – including his son Robbie, who also became a stunt performer, his longtime friend and promoter Ray Gunn, his former publicist and confidante Shelly Saltman, and motorcycle enthusiasts such as Ken Berg and Seth Enslow, who were inspired by Knievel to pursue their own adrenaline-fueled dreams.

One of the most striking aspects of Being Evel is its use of archival footage, much of which has never been seen before. These clips showcase Knievel's stunts in all their glory, from his early days as a daredevil to his triumphant jumps in front of millions of viewers worldwide. The film also incorporates animation to portray some of Knievel's more fantastical ideas, such as his plans for a million-dollar stunt that would involve jumping over a live shark.

Being Evel is a fascinating tribute to the man who captured the imagination of a generation. It provides a multifaceted look at the life of Evel Knievel, showcasing both his daring stunts and his flawed personality. It's a movie that will appeal to both fans of motorcycle stunts and those interested in the human cost of pursuing a dream. Overall, Being Evel is a poignant and entertaining documentary that pays tribute to one of the most memorable personalities in American popular culture.

Being Evel is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 72.