Evel Knievel

Evel Knievel

Year: 2004

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: John Badham

Drama

Legendary daredevil Robbie “Evel” Knievel (George Eads) is the focus of the biopic directed by John Badham. Before extreme sports were mainstream, he vaulted his motorcycle over canyons, crates of venomous snakes and cougars. His fame and record jumps left him with 35 broken bones, while his love of liquor and women matched his appetite for danger.

Evel Knievel (2004) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In 1960s‑era America, a restless spirit rides the edge of possibility, turning ordinary highways and desert canyons into stages for feats that blur the line between entertainment and obsession. The film follows Robbie “Evel” Knievel, a charismatic outlaw of gravity whose love of danger is matched only by his flair for showmanship. His daring exploits pulse through the screen with kinetic energy, framing a world where crowds gather to witness the impossible and the roar of engines becomes a modern hymn to rebellion.

Born in a mining town, the future stunt‑man watches the harsh realities of labor and is drawn to a path that promises both freedom and spectacle. Early hints of his relentless will surface in youthful mischief and a restless drive to prove himself, planting the seeds for a career that will soon catapult him from obscurity into the bright lights of televised stardom. The narrative captures the gritty texture of mid‑century America, where the promise of fame hangs on the thin line of a motorcycle’s tires.

At the heart of his soaring ambitions lies a complex personal life, anchored by his partnership with Linda Bork, a steadfast presence who balances his reckless hunger with quiet devotion. Their bond, forged amid the chaos of touring shows and relentless publicity, offers a tender counterpoint to the high‑octane thrills. As his legend grows, the couple navigates the tension between public adulation and private worries, a dynamic that adds emotional depth to the spectacle.

The film’s tone blends vivid, adrenaline‑charged set pieces with a reflective, almost nostalgic look at a man who chased glory while wrestling with the costs of his own myth. It invites viewers into a world where daring performances become cultural touchstones, and where the line between hero and hazard is perpetually tested.

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 03:55

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Bittersweet Biographies of Troubled Legends like Evel Knievel

Stories where immense talent and fame come at a heavy personal and emotional cost.If you were captivated by the tragic highs and lows in Evel Knievel, explore other movies like it. This collection features similar drama and TV movies about real-life icons whose incredible achievements are shadowed by personal demons, family struggles, and the heavy cost of their fame.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a rise-and-fall structure, charting the subject's ascent to fame through unique talent or daring, followed by a gradual decline fueled by internal struggles. The journey is marked by key triumphs that are inevitably paired with significant personal losses or failures, leading to a reflective, often bittersweet conclusion about their legacy.

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Movies are grouped here because they share a specific emotional tone: the celebration of achievement is consistently tempered by the sadness of consequence. They balance awe-inspiring moments with gritty, somber realism, creating a powerful and resonant viewing experience about the human cost of legend.

High-Stakes Adrenaline and Human Cost stories like Evel Knievel

Intense stories of extreme risk-takers facing the physical and emotional consequences.For viewers who liked the intense, adrenaline-fueled stunts and gritty consequences in Evel Knievel, this list finds similar movies. Discover other dramas and TV movies about reckless professionals, daredevils, and extreme sports figures whose pursuit of danger leads to profound physical and emotional costs.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a cycle of high-risk acts and their devastating repercussions. The story is driven by the protagonist's compulsive need for danger, which creates spectacular set pieces but also serves as the source of their ultimate conflict, leading to a reckoning with the damage caused to themselves and those around them.

Why These Movies?

These films are linked by their shared focus on the adrenaline rush of danger paired with its heavy, realistic consequences. They combine intense, thrilling sequences with a sobering examination of sacrifice, loss, and perseverance, creating a uniquely gripping and somber experience.

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Evel Knievel Summary

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Evel Knievel Summary

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Evel Knievel Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Evel Knievel

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Evel Knievel

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