Release Date (UK) – 22nd April 2011
Certificate (UK) – TBC
Country – U.K.
Director – Richard De Aragues
Runtime – 103 mins
Starring - Guy Martin, Ian Hutchinson, John McGuinness
Anyone who is anyone in the motor-sport world knows about the Isle of Man TT. For those in the know, the TT – or Tourist Trophy – is the pinnacle of racing, the most dangerous and challenging road circuit in the world. Rarely a year goes by when someone isn’t killed: every rider knows that each race might be his or her last. Now for the very first time director Richard De Aragues brings us TT3D: Closer to the Edge, a film that will touch and impress many film-goers – not just the petrol heads – for its remarkable human interest story, and not least of all, its heart.
At the film’s centre, we have the “People’s Champion” Guy Martin. Martin is one of life’s genuine eccentric characters – a lovable rogue with a unique take on life that viewers won’t fail to find both genuine and strangely charming. A lorry mechanic by day, it’s Martin’s dream to win the TT, and we follow him as he obsessively builds up to the 2010 TT.
Of course while Martin is the undoubted star of the film there are a number of other key players in the Closer to the Edge story. Motorsport fans will be pleased to see cameos from the likes of “King of the Mountain” John McGuinness, and the softly spoken but highly talented Ian Hutchinson, who quietly works his way to the forefront of the extraordinary TT story.
It’s in its spotlights of the many characters of the racing world that we find the real strength of the film. While Closer to the Edge will undoubtedly excite thrill-seekers with its high-octane racing, and remarkable camera-work, it’s in telling the human story that the film really excels.
We meet for example Bridget Dobbs, widow of TT star Paul “Dobsy” Dobbs, who accepts with remarkably equanimity that her husband, like many others, died living his dream doing the thing he loved the most in life. We also meet the man responsible for making the engines riders like Guy Martin use to power themselves around the TT track. In one particularly heart-felt scene he even describes himself as a “drug dealer” or sorts, where he considers his role in producing the engines that ultimately power some riders to their deaths.
There is then an awful lot more to Closer to the Edge than just adrenalin-fuelled, high-speed racing action. Closer to the Edge is a film of heart – a film of more depth and character than most film-goers will come to expect. As such I highly recommend this film to anyone, not just the motorsport fans out there. While the purists may well criticise the film for perhaps not including enough of racing legends such as John McGuinness, and the new-born star Ian Hutchinson, even the hard-core motorsport fans will forgive the film its flaws for creating what is in essence, a powerful and enthralling story, encapsulating all it is to be a rider, literally putting his or her life on the line, in one of the most dangerous races in the world, the Isle of Man TT.
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What cinema’s will be showing this film and when!!!!.
I really wanted to take my old man to see this film but it was hard to find only 2 cinemas in the north east of england showing it…..an then only one screening per day. Just seen it tonight at the Showcase cinema at teesside park and it was packed. The film was the best thing I’ve seen all year…better than the kings speech even. I am not a biking fan so not sure what to expect but it was a great docu-drama, getting behind what makes these riders tick. Some ‘ hiding behind the hands’ crashes and some laught out loud moments. Guy Martin is like a throwback to the 70s but in a really funny and totally un-self conscious way. I can see why his fans adore him. In all, its less about the week of racing that the sum of everything that makes the TT part of popular culture.
Just seen TT3D in the isle of man. I’ve been brought up with the TT running through my veins, and this movie encapsulates everything that makes the TT great. Best movie all year no, best movie of my life time most deffinetly, I urge everyone bike fan or not to go and witness the awe-inspiring brilliance not TT3D closer to the edge , it’s amazing !!
The Best Documentary Type Film i have ever seen !! The guys who race around the TT course are fearless legends . They should show this film to other sportsmen and women as inspiration.
It would certainly embarass a few premiership footballers when they are rolling around the floor in agony. And at last ! – We have a Motorcycle racer in this country who has character and charisma , not in my opinion seen since the great Barry Sheene….. Good Luck to Guy Martin in this years TT .