Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Chasing Legends (2010)

Director: Jason Berry

Time Out rating

Average user rating

3 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

In the pantheon of niche filmmaking, Jason Berry’s insightful, self-financed doc about the 2009 Tour de France is a triumph. Yes, it tends to focus on one cycling team – in this case HTC-Columbia and British sprinter Mark Cavendish – and the score veers towards Wagnerian bombast. But unlike previous team-specific cycling docs, at least this gives rivals a look-in. It’s a good year to highlight, too. Not only for the likeable ‘Manx Missile’ Cavendish – who won six stages – but also for seven-times Tour winner Lance Armstrong’s comeback. Whether it’s looking back at archive, reminiscing with the oldest living rider or sharing the rules of engagement and the roles of mechanics and masseurs, this tackles the ins and outs of the sport with aplomb.

Author: Derek Adams

Time Out London Issue 2096: October 21 – 27m 2010

Email Tweet Share

User reviews of this film

Falmouth Wheeler said...

Posted on Nov 22 2010 13:45 One of the best films I’ve seen in years. It was funny, moving, frightening and above all exciting. I had goose bumps several times. When was the last time a film or documentary had that effect on you? The whole film is so gripping and emotionally fraught that as I was describing (to my wife) the bit in the film where Hincapie failed to win the yellow jersey I cried! Cavendish is now my sporting hero and what a thoroughly nice and intelligent man he is - let alone brave.
I have now bought the DVD and will be watching it over and over again.

Report as inappropriate
sue clifford smith said...

Posted on Oct 22 2010 07:00 saw chasing legends last night, it was fantastic and i relived the tour 2009 along with a packed cinema. I disliked cav always thinking he was so arrogant. But after last years tour and how he showed so much maturity after he was relegated to the back of the pack my feelings changed. After seeing the film its made me have so much more respect for not just cav but all the riders for what they put themselves through. An awesome film well done.

Report as inappropriate
readie said...

Posted on Oct 20 2010 15:06 Mark Cavendish is many things but I would never have said "likeable" was one of them. Have booked to see this film tomorrow – will be interested to see if it changes my opinion.
Oh, and as a side note: this sort of thing is why I read Time Out. I'm a huge pro cycling geek, but somehow had missed that this film was coming to the big screen. Thanks for the heads up – always good to know that Time Out has my back.

Report as inappropriate