I saw the documentary with Richard Hammond where he met the world's most famous motorcyclist stuntman, I wasn't sure what to make of him, and then I saw he appeared in his own film, so I tried it. Basically legendary stuntman Evel Knievel has come to Mexico to perform one of his greatest stunts, and while there preparing he gets to know some of his fans and catch up with old friends. This includes helping a bunch of orphans, getting his alcoholic mechanic Will Atkins (Gene Kelly) to put things right with his son Tommy Atkins (Eric Olson), and getting to know photographer and journalist Kate Morgan (Lauren Hutton). While all this is going on, villainous drug lord Stanley Millard (Leslie Nielsen) plans to have Evel killed in his stunt so that he can get a replacement biker and smuggle a massive supply of drugs through. Evel is seen to do one jump prior to the main one, but when it comes to the big one he finds out about this plot, goes ahead with the jump, and after recovering there are some chases and stuff to which he saves the day in the end. Also starring Red Buttons as Ben Andrews, Frank Gifford, Sheila Allen as Sister Charity, Cameron Mitchell as Barton, Albert Salmi as Cortland and Dabney Coleman as Ralph Thompson. The critics rate this film two stars, the extra star is probably just from the fact that it is Evel Knievel and there are two stunts in the film, but the supporting one or two big names are wasted, especially Kelly and Nielsen, the story is ridiculous, over the top cheesy and predictable, I can never see myself watching this garbage again, a stupid action thriller adventure. Pretty poor!

Oooh... Leslie Nielsen is trying to sabotage Evel's bike. Will Lauren Hutton discover the plot in time?And can Evel convince his mechanic to give up the bottle, and be a good father to the son he has heretofore ignored?Will Evel and Lauren give up their adversarial flirting and get together?DOES ANYBODY CARE?!?!I am a fan of bad, cheesy movies. And even this one had me snoozing. Although I do give it thumbs up on the marvelous transition from the final jump to the closing credits.

The strangest part about this movie is the apparent idea that all kids loved Evel Kneivel. I was 15 when this came out and considered myself somewhat knowledgeble about the exploits of Evel but in our household we pretty much thought he was stupid. It was neat to do those jumps but I like to apply the figure skating rule of if you dont hit the landing the jumps does not count. I could shoot myself out of a trebuchet and flop on the ground but is that really a properly executed jump? Sure, it would be entertaining but I dont think it will heal my polio or reunite the drunkard Gene Kelly and his son. Why would Evel trust that drunken idiot with his motorcycles? isnt there some other task he could do that would not involve safety issues? This is a great movie though and is a good reminder of the whole AMF/Harley era. It reminds me of the old God Bless America ride at Disneyland. Same cheesiness but still fun.

I realize that the movie was about Evil Knievel, but I was more interested in Gene Kelly. This was not the charming, debonair, singer dancer that we are used to,. Gene was a run down, alcoholic who was trying to impress a son he hadn't seen in years. Knievel starts to show off, and Gene's son looses interest in him. Gene has to work hard to regain his son's love. It was a very emotional role for Gene, I enjoyed watching him emote more than I did Knievels stunts.Lauren Hutton was an over the top, harridan of a photographer; and " love interest" for Knievel. Had Gene Kelly not been in the film, I never would have watched it. He adds dignity and strength of character to any role he plays.This was not one of Gene's better films, but it was good to see that he hadn't lost his "magic" on the screen.Kitty