Watch I Am Evel Knievel

I Am Evel Knievel is a documentary film that depicts the thrilling and often dangerous life of Robert Craig Knievel, better known by his stage name, Evel Knievel. The film is directed by Derik Murray and David Ray and released in 2014. It features a range of interviews, reenactments, archive footage, and exclusive stories from Knievel's friends, family, and colleagues who share their experiences with and perspectives on the legendary daredevil.

The documentary begins by showing Knievel's early life and how he became interested in motorcycles. It includes exclusive footage from his early career, including his early motorcycle races and stunts, including his attempt to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

After a rare interview with Knievel, the film dives deeper into his life, exploring the highs and lows of his career. The filmmakers skillfully weave together interviews with Knievel's family members, friends, business associates, and fellow stuntmen to paint a vivid portrait of the controversial figure. They also touch on his personal life, including his marriages, children, and addiction struggles.

The movie also includes footage of Knievel's iconic stunts, like his jump over 14 Greyhound buses at Ohio's Kings Island in 1975 and his televised jumps over the Snake River Canyon in 1974. The documentary emphasizes how Knievel's showmanship and bravado helped define motorcycle stunts as we know them today. The movie also showcases how Knievel's stunts became more daring and dangerous over the years as he pushed himself to the limit.

Throughout the documentary, the filmmakers take care to humanize Evel Knievel and to understand his motivations. They explore the bright, wild, and dangerous persona that made him an American icon, as well as the more vulnerable and human aspects of his personality.

In addition to the interviews with friends, family, and colleagues, the film includes commentary from a wide range of thinkers and celebrities influenced by Knievel's legacy. These include musicians Kid Rock and George Thorogood, actors Matthew McConaughey and Michelle Rodriguez, and filmmakers including Quentin Tarantino and Brett Ratner.

One standout moment in the documentary is an emotional interview with Evel's son Robbie Knievel, who became a daredevil stuntman himself. In the interview, he reflects on the complex relationship with his father and the lessons he learned from him. Robbie recalls how his father's lifestyle put a strain on their relationship, but how he still learned from his father's example.

Overall, I Am Evel Knievel is a thrilling and enlightening documentary that examines the impact of the larger-than-life figure on American culture. With an engaging mixture of footage, interviews, and expert commentary, the movie provides a compelling portrait of Knievel's life and legacy. Even those unfamiliar with Knievel's life and career will find the documentary a fascinating exploration of one of the most enigmatic and daring figures of the 20th century.

I Am Evel Knievel is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.