The bicycle is one of the most enduring and fascinating machines devised by humankind. While some parts of the world have taken to them more than others, there is no denying the wonderful feeling one gets from peddling one's way through the day. Think about it: this simple device gives you exercise, transportation, happy endorphins, and confidence, all rolled up in a simple package. The best part is that it serves as a reminder that you only get as good as you put in! They are beautiful representations of freedom, independence, and rebellion. Perhaps more so than the car could ever hope to be.
Over the years, bicycles have been used for everything: sports, commuting, health, delivery, and, yes, making movies. Be they in front of the camera or behind, these two wheels on a metal frame have helped create some of the most memorable moments in cinema.
Lately, I have been rediscovering an interest in bicycle riding. So, it might be an excellent idea to take a moment to remember and recognize some of the best moments in cinema and television that utilize or involve a bicycle in some way. I am making this list based on movies and shows I have seen. I know some fantastic cult classics, such as Rad or the Italian classic The Bicycle Thieves, which are both interesting in their own right, but I have not yet seen them, so they won't appear on this list. Those films will likely have their own review later down the line.
This is TheNorm's Top 5 Bicycle-Related Movies and Television.
#5
Premium Rush
While this may not be the first movie about bicycle messengers in the city, it was the first version of the concept I saw in theaters. Released in 2012, the story follows a pro-bike messenger, Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), as he showcases his passion for his job while delivering some insight into the bike messenger culture, or at least the flashy "Hollywood" version. Things take a turn for the worse when Wilee finds himself accosted by a cop who desperately wants what Wilee has been tasked to deliver, but the bike messenger code of conduct dictates that once the parcel goes into the bag, it doesn't come out until it gets to where it needs to be. What follows is a series of high-octane chases, races, and extreme sports-style cinema.
This movie is your classic counter-culture-style story: you have an adrenaline junkie protagonist riding his way against the current of the norm (no pun intended 😂) who runs into "The Man" and fights his way through ridiculous obstacles to not only fulfill his duty but also prove a point about the importance of going against the grain. There are moments when the movie is moving too fast for its own good, and some of the commentary may be a bit too on the nose at times, but it's a fun ride of a film with enough excellent stunt work and witty banter to keep you engaged with the rush.
#4
Monty Python's The Cycling Tour
Monty Python's Flying Circus remains one of the funniest television shows, and for good reason. Their unusual talent for embracing the absurd and silly made them so memorable that we still quote their sketches today. While their show mainly consisted of collections of short sketches that were rarely (if ever) interconnected with each other, they started to experiment with their style in later seasons. One of the results of that experimentation was The Cycling Tour.
Season 3, Episode 34, airing in December 1972, is one of the few episodes of the show that presented itself as a linear story (and I use the word 'story' as a figure of speech). We follow a man named Pither (Michael Palin) on a cycling tour through North Cornwall. Constantly stopping due to an accident, regularly getting his trouser leg caught in the pump, Pither finds himself in the middle of one unusual situation after another, often inadvertently being the cause of it. This often goes over Pither's head since he spends most of his mental energy trying to figure out how to prevent his food from getting crushed with each and every crash.
Like most Monty Python presentations, The Cycling Tour is as silly and delightful as ever. It may not have much to say about bicycles, but it cleverly uses them to introduce every joke.
#3
Hill Climb Girl
This is an anime short film from 2014 (likely primarily intended as a tech demo) about a young girl trying to win an uphill bicycle race against her school friend. The short features a fascinating fusion of traditional hand-drawn animation and 3D effects, creating a surreal depiction of imagination, determination, and inspiration. You can watch a subtitled version of the seven-minute short on YouTube. Give it a look when you can.
#2
E.T.
While Steven Spielberg's seminal and definitive classic has remained so over decades for many reasons, it goes without saying that this very image used in the poster is the most recognizable and memorable: it coincides with one of the most heartwarming moments in the film, it has become a symbol of imagination and childhood, and remains the logo for Spielberg's production company, Amblin Entertainment.
Although bicycles are not the story's primary focus, they play a pivotal role in the story's resolution and provide some of the best chase sequences in the film. Every kid who saw this film, including yours truly, occasionally pretended to be flying in the air on their Bicycle with E.T. to help him on his journey home. I dare you to watch this movie and not take a long look at your bike afterward and wonder.
#1
Quicksilver
This may very well be an overlooked classic and a fascinating time capsule of the 1980s, and I mean that quite literally. In addition to being a pretty fun movie about bike messengers, everything about this movie (from the music choices to the impromptu dance sequences and especially the opening title presentation) screams "I'm from the 80s" with every subsequent scene. It may not go in-depth about what makes bike messenger culture so alluring, but it does make it look like a lot of fun. Again, "flashy Hollywood interpretation."
This one may be a guilty pleasure for me as it contains many of my visual and cinematic preferences despite not being as narratively nuanced as I might prefer. Still, in terms of dramatizing the thrill of bicycle riding, with some pretty awesome chase sequences that add a little anti-car fetishism for good measure, this is a must-watch for bicyclists and 80s enthusiasts.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
I liked Breaking Away. It revolves around bicycle racing but does celebrate the bike .
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