Product Details

• Actors: Ed 'Speedo' Jager, Linda Jager, Anthony Jager, Michael Jager, Liz Mallows
• Directors: Jesse Moss
• Producers: Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: New Video Group
• DVD Release Date: November 2, 2004
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0002V7NYS
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #94,540 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Like any good documentary, Speedo finds layers of meaning beneath its simple, entertaining story. With genuine affection for his subject, filmmaker Jesse Moss aims his camera at the wild and wacky blue-collar life of Ed "Speedo" Jager, a gas-station mechanic from Long Island, New York, who's determined to become the demolition derby champion of America. As he bolts together his latest wreck for demo-track competition, Speedo's raw language and homespun wisdom reveal a man who's uneducated but sharply in tune with his goals, desires, and responsibilities as a father. Moss's camera captures it all, from the volatile aggression of pit-lane competitors to the disapproving wrath of Ed's soon-to-be-ex-wife and punk-rock aspirations of his teenage son, who yearns for a wreck-worthy car of his own. By the time Ed finds a supportive new girlfriend, Speedo reveals a perfect match of family man, good-hearted woman, and the pursuit of happiness on the demo-derby circuit. Without a hint of condescension toward his working-class hero, Moss has crafted a memorable portrait that's purely American and yet universally appealing to optimists of any class. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A demolition derby love story . . ., December 25, 2007

By	Ronald Scheer "rockysquirrel" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This award-winning documentary follows Ed "Speedo" Jager, a 41-year-old demolition derby driver as he competes during the years 1999-2000 from his home base on Long Island. He is a pistol, a driven man, and someone to contend with, while also being the loving father of two boys and at the same time on the verge of divorce. Filmmaker Jesse Moss (as we learn in the commentary) is attracted first by Jager's competitive performance as he struggles for the recognition he craves and then discovers the complexities of his personal life. Dubbed a "love story," the film celebrates with him the emergence of a fulfilling relationship with another woman, who takes a more sympathetic and active interest in his life as a demo driver and his dreams of becoming a stock car racer.

The film opens a window into a world most audiences would not consider film-worthy, but Moss makes Jager's story fascinating, touching, and finally exciting. When you first see him, grimy, long-haired, and exhausted after a disappointing demolition event, you wonder how you'll ever get interested in him, and by the end of the film, you're cheering along with him - an everyman just doing the best he can to live his dream against the odds. Unusual for a documentary, the DVD includes a commentary by Moss and Jager, who through the process of making this film have become close friends. Definitely worthy seeing.

3.0 out of 5 stars Good documentary, October 12, 2008

By	True Demolition Derby - See all my reviews

This was a an interesting and entertaining documentary of a man that some would say was misunderstood, struggling to make his dream come true. I see it a as story about a man who puts his dream before family to the point of causing a divorce and is made out to be the victim. So it was a good story of morals and ethics, one that I bought hoping more for the demolition derby side of it, but was mildly disappointed. They only showed small portions of the demos. A good story, good filming, one I might watch once in a great while, but nothing real amazing.