On Any Sunday
Daredevils On Any Sunday is an American documentary from 1971 about the motorcycle sport in the United States.
Action
The racer Mert Lawwill will defend his 1970 title in the racing series in the American Motorcyclist Association. To this end, he must deny 27 races that are held throughout the United States. Among the several hundred members of the AMA are only 15, in addition to Lawwill, have the opportunity for the overall win. Amongst the favorites are Jim Rice, Dave Aldana, Gene Romero and Dick Mann.
The Californian Lawwill is eight months a year traveling and spent over 1,000 hours on the bike. For a better grip, he carves his tires before the race in Columbus, Ohio with razor blades and glued the visor of his helmet with transparent adhesive films, which he, if they are dirty, it may pull off one by one. However, he loses the race after a technical failure. Several defects have diminished to the title defense Lawwills opportunities. Among the circuits that visit the driver is also the Daytona International Speedway. The last and decisive race will take place in Sacramento.
In contrast to the races on circuits is the motocross. Here are also racers who originally come from other branches to see. Actor Steve McQueen takes as a hobby rider to race in part, as Malcolm Smith, who is one of the best American cross driver. In Europe, participates in the International Six Day Trial in Spanish El Escorial. Back in the U.S., he and McQueen take part in a 100 - mile race with over 1,500 riders. Smith wins the race, McQueen, which starts under the name Harvey Mushman, is tenth.
Ice Speedway is the next presented in the film Rennart for motorcycles. The driver, protected from the cold with leather masks have their tires fitted with long spikes. In Sacramento only Aldana, Romero, husband and Rice are in the race. Upon heating, it is an accident, is injured in the Rice and placed in an ambulance. But shortly before the race Rice is at the racetrack again and mounts his machine for the main race. Aldana has problems with his bike, man injured and has to give up. Rice is hampered by his injuries last, Romero is the overall winner. Lawwill, the total was only sixth, his title at Romero must cede.
In Salt Lake City Smith takes part in a steep slope race with a slope of 45% must be met. So far, no driver has reached the end of the slope. Also, Smith can not make it, but can return to the start on his machine.
Smith and McQueen will then participate in a race through the Mojave Desert, which is held every Sunday. Here come professionals and amateurs to simultaneously and must manage 100 miles through desert terrain. At the end of the film Lawwill, Smith and McQueen not to take part and enjoy rather on a trip into the countryside.
Background
The premiere took place in the USA on 28 July 1971. In Germany the film was first published on 10 May 1972.
The production company Solar Productions, which mustered a budget of approximately U.S. $ 310,000, was owned by Steve McQueen.
Criticism
The lexicon of the International film described the film as a documentary about the various types of motorcycle sport, which celebrates the traditional illusions of freedom and manhood. Thematically ambiguous, therefore, formally but in some passages of intoxicating and quite fascinating. Also interesting as a document of a time flow of the younger generation in the U.S. in the early 70s.
Vincent Canby of The New York Times holds the film for anything but disappointing. With cameras on the machines take the audience participate in the race. The camera work is fantastic.
Wrote Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun- Times that Brown had, the film staged somehow informal, casual and loose despite all the work he put into the film.
Awards
In 1972 the film was nominated in the category Best Documentary Oscar.