Watch The Flying Scotsman

The Flying Scotsman is a drama film from 2006 that tells the true story of Graeme Obree, a Scottish amateur cyclist who broke the world hour record on a bike he built from scrap metal. The film is directed by Douglas Mackinnon and stars Jonny Lee Miller as Graeme Obree, Laura Fraser as his wife Anne and Brian Cox as his friend and mechanic Malky.

The story begins in the early 1990s, when Obree is working as a millwright in a small town in Scotland. He discovers that he has a natural talent for cycling and decides to pursue it seriously, despite the fact that he has no support from the Scottish cycling establishment. Obree starts building his own bikes, experimenting with unorthodox designs and techniques. He is constantly on the verge of bankruptcy and his wife Anne is losing faith in his dreams, but Obree never gives up.

Obree's breakthrough comes when he decides to attempt the hour record, which is the distance a cyclist can ride in one hour on a velodrome track. The record is held by Francesco Moser, an Italian cyclist who set it in 1984 using a specially designed bike and a controversial riding position known as the "Superman". Obree decides to challenge Moser's record using a bike he built from spare parts and a riding position he calls the "egg". The egg position involves lying flat on his stomach, with his hands gripping the handlebars and his feet pedaling backwards. This unconventional approach draws ridicule from the cycling establishment and the media, but Obree is undeterred.

The film portrays Obree's training and preparation for the record attempt, as well as his struggles with depression and personal conflicts. Obree's friendship with Malky, a former cyclist and alcoholic, is a central theme of the film. Malky becomes Obree's mechanic and mentor, helping him overcome technical problems and providing emotional support. However, Malky's drinking and erratic behavior threatens to derail Obree's plans, and the two men have a falling out.

The climax of the film is Obree's record attempt at the Hamar velodrome in Norway. The scene is tense and thrilling, with Obree's egg bike performing flawlessly and his pace increasing as the hour comes to an end. The film does not reveal the outcome of the attempt, but leaves it to the audience's imagination.

The Flying Scotsman is a well-crafted film that balances drama, humor and realism. The acting is excellent, with Jonny Lee Miller giving a convincing and nuanced portrayal of Graeme Obree. The Scottish setting and accents add to the authenticity of the film, while the cycling scenes are exciting and technically accurate. The film also touches on themes of identity, perseverance and the pursuit of excellence, making it more than just a sports movie.

Overall, The Flying Scotsman is a compelling and inspirational film that celebrates the human spirit and the power of determination. It is a tribute to Graeme Obree's remarkable achievements and his unconventional approach to life and cycling.

The Flying Scotsman is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 49.