The feature-length film of Graeme Obree’s battle with the clock and the demons of his mind was premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival a few months ago.

Bike Biz’s Carlton Reid now reports that “the film about Scottish world-beater has broken out of the film festival circuit and on to the world stage thanks to MGM. It opens in the US on December 29th.
MGM has acquired worldwide distribution rights to The Flying Scotsman, the bio-pic of the former world one-hour record holder.

“The film is directed by British TV director Douglas Mackinnon and stars Jonny Lee Miller. MGM plans to release the film in the US at the end of December.

“However, it’s likely to be at arthouse screens only and the movie will probably go straight to TV outside of the US, said Variety magazine. Obree and Mackinnon will be present at a sell-out film festival screening for the movie this Sunday at the Inverness Film Festival.

“ContentFilm sold the movie, which has been has been nominated for five Scottish BAFTA awards, to MGM at last week’s American Film Market.”

Blurb from ContentFilm says: “With fantastic high speed racing sequences, and gripping, heartfelt performances throughout, this is a truly inspiring story about one man’s extraordinary triumph over adversity. The Flying Scotsman is Chariots of Fire meets Rocky meets Shine – on wheels!”

“The production company behind the film fell into administration before editing had finished, leaving debts, some to bike trade companies. Some of these debts might now be paid off thanks to the MGM deal.

“Specialized logos can be seen throughout the movie but there’s no product placement from a washing machine brand…”

Story thanks to bikebiz.co.uk

Mr. Obree signs a copy of his excellent book ‘Flying Scotsman’ for Simon Jones, Lancaster CC ’25’ Champion