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Evel Knievel (1971)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
3/17
3/17:
When I think of an American icon, Evel Knievel immediately comes to my mind.
He made something out of nothing, and the opportunity was there for the taking. The most well-known motorcycle stunt
of his career took place at Caesars Palace when he jumped over the water fountain. It's such a famous video that saw
Evel Knievel's popularity soaring to new heights during his heyday.
How Evel made the event happen was he called all TV stations to tell them what he was planning to do. After
they got excited, Evel, acting as a different person each time, phoned the casino owner repeatedly to relay his excitement
about the event. After the interest became so great, the owner finally gave Evel his permission to perform the stunt.
Now, that's what I'm talking about when it comes to making something out of nothing.
During the 70's, Evel Knievel was a hero to many for his daredevil motorcycle stunts. He got featured in
ABC's Wide World of Sports. Seven of its ten highest rated programs are owned by him including the number one when he
jumped over fourteen Greyhound buses at King's Island amusement park in Ohio in 1975 and more than 50% of the
country tuned in. The number two? It was the Ali-Frazier fight in Manila, Philippines.
Some of Evel's other famous stunts include jumping over eighteen and then nineteen cars in Kent, Washington, in 1970; taking
off in a rocket over the Snake River Canyon in 1971; jumping over thirteen single-deck London buses at Wembley Stadium
before 90,000 people in 1975; and jumping over a tank that's full of live sharks in 1977.
Over the course of his career, Evel Knievel broke 37 major bones, fractured another 400, and had his hip replaced
and liver transplanted. No matter what the extent of his injuries was after a crash, he always came back to do
another jump within five months. Amazing.
By the way, when Robert Craig "Bobby" Knievel was arrested for reckless driving in 1956, he was placed in a jail cell with
William "Awful" Knofel in a neighboring cell. During a roll call, the night jailer made a wisecrack that "Evel"
Knievel and "Awful" Knofel were in the same jail.
Of course, a biopic had to be made about Evel Knievel, and it's entertaining. George Hamilton is the
perfect choice, and he's a really funny, charismatic guy. Look no further than
Zorro, the Gay Blade.
Evel Knievel gets a lot of points for showing Evel's shenanigans, and they're funny and amusing.
George Hamilton finishes the film off with a great summary of who Evel is:
"Important people in this country, celebrities like myself—Elvis, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne—we have a responsibility.
There are millions of people that look at our lives, and it gives theirs some meaning. People come out from their jobs,
most of which are meaningless to them, and they watch me jump twenty cars, maybe get splattered. It means something to them.
They jump right alongside of me...they take the bars in their hands, and for one split second, they're all daredevils.
I am the last gladiator in the new Rome. I go into the arena, and I compete against destruction, and I win. And next week,
I go out there, and I do it again. And this time—civilization being what it is and all—we have very little choice about
our life. The only thing really left to us is a choice about our death. And mine will be...glorious."
All in all, Evel Knievel is a lot of fun to watch, and George Hamilton is fantastic.