Those who missed out on watching the “I Am Evel Knievel” documentary on Spike TV last September 2014 now have a chance to watch it over and over again on DVD, Blue-Ray, and various digital platforms. The documentary from Virgil Films is now available for purchase all over the country and as somebody who has seen the documentary, it’s a must-watch for anybody who has been interested in the life and forays of America’s most iconic daredevil.
I’m not going to spoil the contents of the documentary because it wouldn’t be as fun to learn about Knievel as it would from the people who actually played important roles in his life. His family, including sons sons Kelly and Robbie, and former wives Linda Knievel and Krystal Kennedy-Knievel, provide enlightening perspectives about the man who actually has a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the survivor of “most broken bones in a lifetime.”
That particular record already provides a great glimpse on what made Knievel tick. After all, this was a man who took great pride in doing what nobody else could in a tim when stunts didn’t have the same level of planning and meticulous preparation like they do now. He really lived life on the edge and he suffered for it, both physically, as the 430 broken bones in his lifetime will tell you, and emotionally.
The "I Am Evel Knievel" documentary also features footage of the iconic daredevil’s greatest jumps, including his first major attempt, over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and the Snake River Canyon jump in Idaho. Suffice to say, if you want a crash course on Evel Knievel, this documentary is a great place to start.
The documentary is available on Blu-Ray for $14.99 and on DVD for $9.99.
Continue reading to read more about the life and times of Evel Knievel.
Why it matters
I wasn’t old enough to have seen some of Evel Kneivel’s greatest stunts, but over the years, videos and books of his escapades have come out in public so like most people, I’ve had a good idea about the legacy of this All-American icon.
That said, I still found the “I Am Evel Kneivel” documentary incredibly enlightening. There were some details in the documentary that I didn’t even know about, let alone realized about the daredevil. I don’t want to say that it’s the most comprehensive piece ever made about Kneivel, but I venture a guess that it comes close to being one of the most complete.
It begins pretty much from the beginning during his childhood in Butte, Montana before going through many of his most incredible performances, including the famous jump in the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.
Even if you don’t count yourself as a fan of Evel Kneivel, this documentary is still well worth your time. Don’t consider it as a recounting of the life and times of one of history’s greatest daredevils, but a testimonial of sorts from people who knew and loved one of the most iconic Americans in history.
And if for nothing else, the documentary also features celebrities like Matthew McConaughey, Kid Rock, Michelle Rodriguez, Guy Fieri, Bob Einstein, and fellow stunt rider Robbie Maddison. Their comments about Evel Kneivel alone are well worth the price of purchasing the DVD or Blue-Ray.