Product Details

• Actors: Various
• Directors: Robert Kaylor
• Format: Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Navarre Corporation
• DVD Release Date: February 17, 2009
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001M5BF9W
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #75,234 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Derby" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

It was supposed to be a simple documentary about roller derby. Then Mike Snell came along. In 1972, filmmaker Robert Kaylor (Carny) and producer William Richert (Winter Kills, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon) set out to shoot a cinema verité documentary about roller derby when the 23-year-old Snell walked in to the locker room during an interview and announced his intention to become the next big roller derby sensation.

Kaylor and Richert switched gears to explore the life of the young tire company employee and discovered a world of deceit and ulterior motives as Snell relentlessly pursued his dream.

Contrasting the personal and professional success of Mike s would-be mentor, Charley O Connell, with the day-to-day struggles of Snell s unusual family life, Derby follows in the footsteps of the Maysles brothers as it exposes the decay of American culture pit against the backdrop of a spectator sport that thrives on the spectacle of human combat.

SPECIAL EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURE: MAX-OUT
Long believed to be lost, Max-Out is Robert Kaylor s stunning debut film featuring a cast entirely composed of actual convicted felons. Fully improvised with no script, the film follows the plight of an African-American ex-convict whose struggle to find work after serving time only reinforces his criminal instincts and his desire for respect in a world that offers little hope.

Code Red is proud to present this extremely rare production which represents a bold example of Kaylor s talent as an artist as it redefines the documentary as a means of therapy for its participants.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Acclaimed 1970 Roller Derby documentary, March 20, 2009

By	John Black (REDMOND, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

It's great to have this rare documentary look at Roller Derby in the late 1960's finally arrive on DVD. The period of 1969-1973 was the last "golden age" of Roller Derby, and this film does a good job of capturing that world. There's a lot of vintage skating on display featuring the San Francisco Bombers, Northwest Cardinals, Northeast Braves and Midwest Pioneers. The film is also a portrait of a young would-be skater, Mike Snell, whose dream is to enter the Derby. His lifestyle is less than exemplary, and this documentary examines him warts-and-all.

The DVD is full frame, as it was originally photographed. The disc includes two audio commentary tracks, one with director Robert Kaylor and the other with producer William Richert. Both of them are entertaining, although each man makes some mistakes in identifying certain skaters. Kaylor is more interested in the Derby as a microcosm of society, while Richert is more intrigued by the entertainment aspects and the skill of the athletes. The disc's image and color is less bright than the long out-of-print VHS release, but the new DVD shows sharper focus.

The film now survives as a time capsule depiction of the dawning of the 1970's. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but surprisingly truthful about the "American Dream."

5.0 out of 5 stars derby rolls on, July 1, 2009

By	T. Fox "burtfan" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Derby is a great documentary. As a derby fan and wannabe skater I loved the action shots of the game. The scenes in the locker rooms with the skaters are very revealing. It appears that the skaters dont know that they are being filmed. The story of Mike Snell wanting to break into the Derby is fascinating but sometimes uncomfortable to watch. You could not write characters that are documented in this movie. Very simple small town people. This was filmed in 1970 but is as fascinating and entertaining today. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars It's About Time This DVD Came Out!, April 12, 2009

By	George Gong (Vallejo, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

John Black written review pretty much sums it all up! The scenes of Roller Derby really bring back memories to every banked track fan! I read so much about this film that after having to wait almost half my life to get to view it finally, it was well worth the wait! A must for any Roller Derby memorabilia collector. Great adittion to any library with related Roller Derby material be it book or movie.