Tourist Trophy: la course de l'extrême

I have never know a movie fly by so quickly. This does for Road racing and bike racing in general, what LeMans did for the 24 hour race or what Senna may well do for F1. For once here is a film where the 3D isn't a gimmick or an add on to make a poor film seem better, no here it took you to the heart of the action. You felt you were there with the personalities and some of the bravest (or fool hardy) people on the planet. And yet everyone who spoke seemed to think racing motorbikes around a street course at average speeds of over 130 mph was the most natural thing in the world. My admiration goes out not only to those who appeared in the film but also to Bridgett Dobbs who probably gives those who haven't competed there the greatest insight. To quote Sir Jackie Stewart "Having just seen that film I think that us Formula One drivers are a bunch of pussycats in comparison. People will see that film and want to go to the TT. I certainly want to go to the race". High Praise indeed and a film that does real justice to the Isle of Man TT. Brilliant and unmissable. The human stories make this film accessible to everyone so you don't need to be a biker to see this film. Congratulations to all involved. More please!

Just got back from seeing this in a packed house at the local fleapit, and it seemed most of the crowd were as impressed as I was, although to be fair most of them were probably predisposed to enjoying an hour and a half of on- and off-track action from the run-up to the 2010 TT, and the event itself.

The Isle Of Man TT Races are familiar to motorsport fans around the world as the Holy Grail of roadracing, an astonishing course set over, in, through and around 37 and a bit miles of the Isle Of Man's countryside, mountains, towns, villages and 'road furniture'. Riders blast through narrow country lanes with stone walls, lamp-posts, kerbs...at speeds approaching 200mph.

To some people in this risk-averse age, the obvious question is "Why do these men (and the odd woman) risk their lives?". The majority of the non-racing scenes in the film give the riders point of view on this; it will not spoil anything to say that the consensus is that riding is a thrill like no other; riding at the extreme is something else beyond that. The passion for the race is all-consuming.

When considering the risks these riders take, it is worth bearing in mind that for many of the riders (and their crews) this is not a full time job. They are not millionaires like formula 1 drivers. While other people get a look in, the focus and star of the show here is Guy Martin, the part-time lorry mechanic, part-time superbike racer, full-time charismatic rebel who has the talent, drive and popular support of a great champion but has never won a TT. Will he do it this year ? Those who follow the sport know the answer, those who don't will be willing him on during the film's race scenes.

I would recommend this without hesitation to anyone who is into motorsport, anyone who wants to understand why other people are into it, and most strongly I would recommend it to anyone who has the slightest interest in learning about other people, what makes them tick, and what you can learn from them.

I loved the film and think it captures the essence of the TT. Guy Martin makes the whole thing watchable for all viewers because he is such a character, and he's very comical - which I don't think is intentional... and that makes it even better to watch! There are some great spinal tap moments as well.

I liked the filming of fans, families, team owners as well as the riders themselves. It showed the soul of the TT, rather than usual attempts of a bike film with bad-ass bikers and heavy metal music. Thank goodness this film didn't that way! Saying that, I think the film could have been an epic but fell just short. The following are niggles, to what is a 'must-see' film;

There is some amazing footage which never made it into the film - from 2010 and past races. Ryan Farquhar was on the limit that year, as well as Michael Dunlop - watching them fighting to stay in control of their bikes was simply breathtaking. Also, there are regular on-board overtakes with the front wheel in the air at 140+mph (due to rises on the road) shows the extremes of the riding... all this action seemed to be missed. Although, don't get me wrong, there is plenty of action... but more could have gone in.

There are incredible photographs that were not shown (to capture moments too fast to see in film). These also show the extremes of the TT - bikes bottoming out their suspension to scrape their fairings on the road, and riders brushing the walls with their helmets and leathers etc. etc.

Contrast all that with the fans sipping tea, or having a nap in a field shows the TT is a race that deserves a world audience. I think the extremes could have been played a bit better.

As another reviewer says, some of the solo footage of Guy on a bike was pretty lame, and so out of context to the rest of the film. I also think some of the pre-race (testing) preparation footage could have been shortened giving more time to the action and history...

Still, the film is great, and I will be a buying it on DVD/Blueray as soon as it is available.

The first film that has affected me enough to bother writing a review. Excellent throughout, tense, terrifying, well filmed and good narration. Much more than just another bike documentary.

Few weak spots - narration, although technically good, was in a weak American tone, not ideally suited to something as British as the Isle of Man. Some of the solo footage of Guy riding was a bit weak. He was obviously not going fast, but made to appear so. The on boards were incredible. The atmosphere incredible. The passion incredible.

Never has a cinema completely full of men (99%) been so quiet for so long. The film finished to a stunned silence.

Excellent

What an amazing film. It was everything that I Superbiker wasn't. Has made me love Guy Martin even more (if that was possible). I had read that the film focuses too much on the deaths and crashes that have been present through the history of the race. I disagree; I think they dealt with them well and in a way that really does bring home what this circuit means to all those who race there.

I certainly don't think this is just a film for the boys (being a female motorcyclist myself) and I don't even think you need to have a love of bikes. Right from the start you care about the characters, the race footage and interviews etc keep you on the edge of your seat, with your heart in your mouth throughout the film I hope this film does a lot for for the world of motorcycle racing; both circuits and road racing alike.