Customer Reviews

Hell on Wheels

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, what this film is NOT: it is NOT a documentary of the 2003 Tour-de-France, even though that is where all the action takes place. When the film is over, you won't even know - unless you already knew - that the race was won by Lance Armstrong, nor will you know who finished second and third, or who won most of the stages. The film does not follow the normal storyline of a race documentary.

What, then, DOES it do? It gives an inside look at what it feels like to be a professional cyclist racing in the Tour-de-France, as seen through the eyes of the German Telekom team (now renamed T-Mobile.) Focusing largely on veteran riders Eric Zabel, Rolf Aldag (since retired), and Andreas Kloden, we get behind the scenes to see what life is really like in big-time cycling. And what we see is a world simultaneously more beautiful, graceful, painful, and smelly than what we see on regular television coverage of the Tour.

"Hell on wheels," indeed, for we see the sweat rolling from the riders' faces, the stress, the injuries, the almost military regimen of a virtually all-male world.

We see the rubdowns, the shaving of legs, the plastering of buttocks with anti-rash gel, the injection of (legal) vitamins and supplements, the urination by the side of the road. We see the dirty side of the sport.

But we also see the grace, and we feel the danger. We see the cyclists at speed, and we feel it. Most television coverage of the Tour is taken from vehicles moving at the same speed as the cyclists, so the sense of speed and danger is often lost. This film captures those elements.

And we also see the roadside spectacle, the picnics, the parties, the campers, the police, the traveling Tour caravan, the circus elements of the Tour, which are often noted only in passing in television accounts of the race.

Those who expected this to be an objective re-telling of the 2003 Tour were undoubtedly disappointed. But I disagree with those reviewers who said this film would be unintelligible to those who are not racing fans. On the contrary, I think this would be an excellent introduction to the sport for non-fans. Focusing on the inner nature of the sport, rather than on the results of a particular race, it is an excellent introduction indeed.

This documentary, covering the T-Mobile team during the 2003 Tour de France, is a superb portrait of the life of a professional athlete. Erik Zabel is seen at the beginning of the downside of his outstanding career as a sprinter, unable to beat the younger lions of the sport. The massage sessions after the race and the discussions during them are outstanding for their insight into the pysche of a cyclist competing at a world-class level. Rolf Aldag and other domestiques illustrate the motivational challenges faced by those that make a living racing bicycles out of the limelight of the Zabels, Armstrongs and Ullrichs, and physical toll it takes to compete in the most famous race in the world. Television coverage never really gives us the pictures that this film does-all of the nitty gritty details that go into racing, and surviving, in the Tour. Highly recommended.

Lance Armstrong's unforgettable speech to the world press gathered on the eve of the 2003 Tour de France sets this mystical, magical masterpiece in motion.

"I show up prepared," says Armstrong, dead serious. "I show up motivated and I show up because I love it and respect it and I want to do well. Nothing means more to me than to win this event."

What follows is a sports documentary that is gorgeous and grandiose while at the same time gritty and down to earth.

This is cycling film that should be seen by anyone who considers himself a sports fan. It should be shown in phys. ed. and geography classes across America. This is the cycling film that would win the hearts and respect of a people who have never watched - nor cared to watch - a professional cycling race. And this is the cycling film that allows the cycling fan to forget the drug-accusation cloud hanging over professional cycling, and reminds us just how much there is to love about "The Tour."

Rather than interviewing the racers and filming every stage of their performance, director Danquart turns on the camera, places it in the team bus and motels, and the riders themselves tell their incredible story with class and wit. We see close up the pain and humanity of the great German sprinter, Eric Zabel. While he, and to a lesser degree, teammate Rolf Aldag and Team Telekom, are the key players, equally important are the cast of thousands and the wonderful countryside and small towns that make up the Tour. Though the stunning bird's eye views of the race are beautiful and essential to understand the Tour, much of the footage is shot at ground level, making you feel you're a fan in the crowd, or a medic leaning over a fallen rider, scraped and bloodied, or a photographer lying horizontal on the asphalt, next to scores of other photographers from around the world. You, literally, are there.

Sweetening this masterwork is plenty of excellent footage of the big stars. Lance, Jan Ulrich, Ivan Basso, and especially Tyler Hamilton (and the story behind his broken collarbone) are all seen in great action shots. We also are treated to rise of T-Mobile's Alexandre "Vino" Vinokourov, of Kazakstan (no relation whatsoever to Borat).

History lovers will appreciate intermittent black and white film archives of old races alongside the fresh images and the Tour lore as told by French journalist Serge Laget, who shows no less pride in the event and his country's role in it as would John Madden of NFL football, or Bob Costas of Major League Baseball.

Another remarkable feature of the film is the music, which is apparently (and incredibly) an original score. The cool, jazzy numbers and electric guitar solos are just incredible.

To describe any more of this film would be to rob the reader of all the unexpected treasures I discovered. I plan to watch it again and again. It's that good. (Plus I want to re-read those subtitles!).

You ought to see it. No--you have to see it.

I had just started cycling with some friends on one of those recreational tours when I got this DVD on a whim. It is such an awesome experience to view what is going on behind the scenes that it really turned me on to cycling. Even if you are not into cycling you will enjoy the humor and sacrifices of these riders.

And should you ever experience 'road rash' you will find instructions on how the pro's address these injuries. (But are you gutsy enough to do it???!!!! ;o) )

Well worth watching if you have ANY interest into the Tour or cycling in general.

Absolutely fantastic. I've been a licensed bicycle racer for 21 years. I've never seen anything that gets into the hearts and minds (as well as the performance) of professional cyclists like this.

Its not often nowadays that we get a chance to see the Tour de France without complete focus on the exploits of Lance Armstrong, rider extraordinaire, triathlete, marathoner, etc. etc. While I respect and admire Armstrong's accomplishments as much as the next fan, this movie isn't about Lance.

Likewise, its not about Phil and Paul and their increasingly tiresome OLN coverage.

So what is Hell on Wheels all about? Its a German film (yes, in German but with clearly visible English subtitles) that follows the Telekom boys during the 2003 Tour de France, an epic battle between the fore-mentioned Lance and Jan Ullrich (who incidentally rode for Bianchi that year). Lance and Jan appear frequently but not as principal characters. Tyler Hamilton (who rode the entire race with a broken collarbone) and Andreas Kloden (who rode a few stages with a broken coxyx also figure as side characters. The primary characters are Rolf Aldag, Erik Zabel (roomates) and their masseuse/assistant Eule, a grizzled old guy who looks like he's seen his share of riders come and go. In between race footage, we hear from an older gentleman who appears to have spent a little too much time in the Tour archives as he narrates great black and white footage from the very first years. Although he's a little out there, he lends a French flair to the film.

In between exhilarating takes on the TdF stages, from beginning to end, we see the riders recovering, musing the day's performance, and suffering the fallout of daily crashes, mountain stages, etc. We often hear Erik and Rolf talking over the race as Eule works out the kinks on the massage table. Zabel in particular is in for some soul searching as he just can't seem to come up with that sprint win. Aldag takes the mountain jersey, but the next day cracks, showing us just how fleeting victory can be in the TdF - and how phenomenal the winners really are. Be prepared for stunning footage of the mountain stages where we see just how tough these stages and bikers can be.

Camera work is magnificent - integrating fixed television-style feed with hand-held shots that give the viewer perspectives we never get on OLN or any other TV coverage. My favorite scene is in the Alps when Armstrong, Ullrich, and Mayo flash by at arm's length - showing how incredibly fast these riders go up mountain passes.

While non cyclists may or may not enjoy the drama of the Tour, cyclists will definitely groove on the racing footage. The euro-pop sound track with plenty of solid bass sounds great and the Dolby surround is all class. I've watched the video as a movie and used it while on the trainer - either way its a great buy! Gte it for yourself or for your favorite cyclist - they'll love it!

A very well done documentary. Great camera work. There are many good remarks made by Zabel, Ulle and Aldag. It's a much diffrent perspective on the TDF and professional bicycle racing than one gets from watching OLN. Even my mom liked it and she is not a cycling fan.

I purchased this DVD a few months ago and have watched it several times. It's an amazingly candid look at the workings of the tour and shows what a grueling and dangerous challenge it is for the athletes. The inside view you get is of the spectators out on the various mountain slopes and in the cities partying, watching the advertising cars go by, and patiently waiting for the tour to quickly zip by. You also get a glimpse of the set-up and take-down that occurs each day at the start and finish lines, including the amazing array of telecommunications equipment.

The main focus of the DVD is the T-Mobile team. This is the year Ulrich rode for Bianchi but the team does include Vinokourov, Kloden, Zabel, and Aldag. There is some beautiful cinematography matched with a great soundtrack showing many of the stages. Stock footage is also incorporated to show some of the tremendous crashes that occurred that year. Even within the T-Mobile team, most of the time is spent with Zabel and Aldag. I was surprised at how open they were in the interviews. Many of the interviews are in their hotel room during their after-ride massages or in the bus at the finish line. Zabel had a tough time that year and doesn't attempt to hide his doubt and disappointment.

I've passed this among my cycling buddies, some of which have been to the tour and they've all had rave reviews. It's been a very motivational DVD for me.

If you enjoy cycling, check this out. It's a great insight into one team's struggle in the Tour of 2003. Very high quality video.

I bought this DVD after seeing 'Hell on Wheels' in a local theatre. It offers a candid view into the workings of the Tour de France and you are left with a real sense of the passion that this tour engenders in teams, riders and the fans.
The focus is on the German Telekom team and Aldag and Zabel in particular. They are refreshingly open during the interviews, many during post ride massages or on the team bus. They make no attempt to hide their doubts and fears. During one Zabel, laments the bad day he had: only able to average 45 km/h! (I'd settle for that problem)
Camera work is excellent and the soundtrack great. It is in German with English sub-titles which doesn't lessen the viewing pleasure. So if you love cycling and or follow the tour then Hell on Wheels is a must buy, must view (many times) DVD