Evel Knievel

The film opens with Knievel preparing to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace in front of a large Las Vegas crowd. The sequence emphasizes the spectacle and risk that would define his career. This moment frames his ascent from underdog stunt rider to a national icon of danger and bravado.

In a 1950 flashback, 12-year-old Bobby Knievel steals hubcaps and is chased before being arrested. The incident foreshadows the impulsive, thrill-seeking streak that would drive his later stunt-filled life.

In 1958, while working for the Anaconda Mining Company, Knievel observes the lung damage suffered by older miners and decides to make a living as a motorcycle stunt performer. He begins the transition from mining to showman, drawn by the lure of crowds and danger. This marks the turning point that leads to his future fame as a fearless daredevil.

Knievel meets Linda Bork, and they marry, starting a family with two sons, Kelly and Robbie. The film contrasts their domestic life with his rising notoriety as a stunt rider. The family becomes central to his story even as his career pushes him toward greater risks.

Knievel lands a deal to perform the Caesars Palace fountain jump on New Year's Eve 1967. John Derek and Linda Evans film the event, turning it into a televised spectacle. The upcoming stunt raises the stakes for Knievel personally and for his audience.

During the jump, Knievel clears the fountains but is thrown off the motorcycle by the force of the landing. He sustains multiple fractures, including his pelvis, and falls into a coma. The accident ends the immediate phase of his career and triggers a long recovery.

Knievel remains hospitalized while doctors insert metal rods to stabilize his broken bones. The medical team tells Linda that Knievel will likely never jump again. Yet upon leaving the hospital, he stubbornly declares that he will resume jumping, including a Grand Canyon stunt.

Back home, Knievel's determination to come back clashes with Linda, who fears for his safety and their family. Their conflict illustrates the personal cost of chasing fame through dangerous feats. The tension mirrors his ongoing drive to return to the spotlight.

In 1970, an Ideal Toy Company employee witnesses Knievel's performances and suggests merchandise opportunities. The company launches a line of Evel Knievel action figures, expanding his brand beyond the arena. The merchandising boom cements his status as a pop-culture icon.

During a rafting trip with his two sons and father-in-law John Bork, the raft capsizes and John is washed away by the river. Knievel is unable to reach him in time, and John’s death casts a long shadow over his personal life. The tragedy adds a somber chapter to a life built on spectacle.

On August 20, 1974, Knievel has his sons ride with him during the Canadian National Exhibition performance. The scene demonstrates his continued appeal to families while preparing for his ambitious Snake River Canyon plan. The event foreshadows the dangerous stunts to come.

Unable to secure a permit to jump the Grand Canyon, Knievel conducts rocket-assisted test jumps over Snake River Canyon. These early jumps set the stage for the planned main event and generate anticipation and controversy.

On September 8, 1974, Knievel attempts the Skycycle X-2 jump across Snake River Canyon. The parachute deploys early, and drag prevents him from reaching the intended landing, but he survives the crash. The stunt draws intense media scrutiny and public reaction.

The public is dissatisfied with the failed stunt, and the media criticizes Knievel for his latest gamble. Despite the backlash, the event further cements his reputation as a fearless showman, provoking ongoing fascination with his persona and limits.

In October 1975, Knievel performs fourteen bus jumps at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio to break his previous record. He would retire from motorcycle jumping in 1980 and move to Florida.