Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story (2005)

Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story Poster

Matthew McConaughey hosts a profile of legendary daredevil Evel Knievel that features extensive commentary from Knievel and footage of famous leaps, among them his failed 1974 attempt to cross the Snake River Canyon in Idaho using a sky cycle. Also: a look at his time in prison; and his relationship with his son, Robbie (who comments), also a daredevil.

Overview
"Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story" is a fascinating film launched in 2005 that offers an insight into the elegant and typically rough life of the legendary stunt entertainer, Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel. The documentary styled movie, directed by Daniel Neale, covers the breadth of Knievel's career and individual life, exploring his rise to fame, notorious stunts, marital struggles, legal problems, and his impoverished early life. The movie makes use of archival footage, photographs, and interviews to paint a detailed portrait of this daredevil, recognized for his record-breaking motorcycle leaps.

Increase to Fame and Stunt Performances
The film charts Knievel's ascend to popularity, beginning with his humble origins in the town of Butte, Montana, where he started as a mine employee. His journey from a small-town rebel to a world-renowned showman who caught the worldwide audience's creativity with his death-defying stunts forms a significant part of the story. The film diligently showcases several of Knievel's many daring stunts, including the 1968 Caesar's Palace crash which almost cost him his life, and the Snake River Canyon jump in 1974, where he attempted to cross the large canyon in a steam-powered rocket.

Life Beyond Stunts
While "Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story" highlights Knievel's professional life and daredevil tasks, it similarly looks into his personal life, explaining his two marital relationships and his battles with his children, tying in heart-wrenching interviews from his family members. Knievel's often tumultuous relationship with his partner Linda and children Krystal and Robbie revealed another side to the high-flying entertainer.

Legal Troubles and Health Issues
The documentary also touches upon Knievel's confrontations with the law, including his jail time for an attack on his former publicist, Sheldon Saltman. His health problems, largely arising from his many stunt injuries, and his battle with illness like Hepatitis C and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are also exposed.

The Impact of Evel Knievel
"Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story" goes beyond being a mere biographical account, it examines the cultural effect Knievel made, transforming motorbike jumps into a phenomenon enjoyed by millions. His flashy red, white, and blue emblazoned uniforms ended up being a sign of his audacious stunts and daredevilry. The film features comments from numerous people consisting of the comic Steve Coogan and the TV speaker Richard Hammond who assisted in colorizing Knievel's epic personality.

In conclusion, "Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story" is an all-inclusive representation of a male renowned for his bold stunts, however likewise a reflection of the extensive impression he made on pop culture. It is a detailed study of his vibrant life, both on-stage and off-stage, supplying an intimate and effective understanding of this adventurous character. To this day, Evel Knievel remains an emblem of courage, audacity, and uniqueness, and this movie does justice to his exceptional life.

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