Viva Knievel! (1977)

Director:

Gordon Douglas

Writers:

Norman Katkov (writer)
Antonio Santillán (screen story)

Release Date:

June 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Biography | Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

The one and only real live Evel Knievel in his first dramatic movie role.

Plot:

As the legendary stuntman travels to Mexico to prepare for one of his greatest stunts yet, he takes time out of his schedule to meet his fans...

Plot Keywords:

Injury | Mechanic | Tour Bus | Drugs | Spectator

Cast

Evel Knievel	...	Evel Knieval
Gene Kelly	...	Will Atkins
Lauren Hutton	...	Kate Morgan
Red Buttons	...	Ben Andrews
Leslie Nielsen	...	Stanley Millard
Cameron Mitchell	...	Barton
Frank Gifford	...	Himself
Eric Olson	...	Tommy Atkins
Sheila Allen	...	Sister Charity
Albert Salmi	...	Cortland
Dabney Coleman	...	Ralph Thompson
Ernie F. Orsatti	...	Norman Clark (as Ernie Orsatti)
Sidney Clute	...	Andy
Robert Tafur	...	Governor Garcia
Marjoe Gortner	...	Jessie

Also Known As:

Seconds to Live

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:PG | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Veterans Memorial Stadium - 508 E. Lew Davis Street, Long Beach, California, USA

Company:

Metropolitan (MTA)

Trivia:

Disaster film producer Irwin Allen was a silent partner on this venture. He lent his entire production team to 'Viva Knievel' as a 'thank you' to the producers of the film who -- in the past -- had assisted Allen in securing financing for The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and The Towering Inferno (1974).

Quotes:

Jessie: End of the line Evel.
Evel Knieval: What did you say?
Jessie: End of the line, man.
Evel Knieval: What are you talking about, your suppose to be at the other end.
Jessie: No. I always have been before, but not anymore. Today is my turn, my shot at the glory, I'm making this jump.
Evel Knieval: What are you talking about. Those people paid their pesos to see me jump.
Jessie: No way, man. I'm jumping. I've always known I was better than you. Today I'm gonna prove it. Now you just get out of my way.
Evel Knieval: Hey! You been smoking something? You're high!
Jessie: Man, maybe you oughtta get high! Hey man, Millard wants to kill you and your buddy Will to. You know, he even thinks he's gonna kill me.
Evel Knieval: Why? Why would he do that?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Edited into "E! True Hollywood Story: Evel Knievel" (2004)

He'll jump right into your heart (and funny bone)!

I recently bought a video tape of this film expecting it to be somewhat funny...it turned out to be one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. And that's saying alot since it was made as a dramatic vehicle for the one, the only, EVEL KNIEVEL.

I can't believe all of the negative comments that have been posted for this film. Sure the acting is bad and the plot is subpar, but overall, this movie is destined for cult status!

This 1 hour and 40 minute film turned into a three hour viewing experience for me since I was laughing so hard at everything, and I knew I was missing more great dialogue and acting...I'd have to stop the video, rewind it, and watch again...and I'd laugh just as hard the second time. Even now, while writing this review, I'm laughing to myself just thinking of certain scenes...especially the "drug speech."

I won't spoil anything for those reading this...Just pop this baby in your VCR and "sit down and take a load off!"

And who the hell did Frank Gifford have to sleep with to get his name mentioned so many times in this film?

PUT THIS FILM ON DVD in WIDESCREEN!!