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Motorcycle Book Store > Motorcycle books beginning with L
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Long Way Round |
Author:
Published: 2008-07-29 |
List price: $21.49
Our price: See Detail
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As of: August 21st, 2008 06:59:54 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Humanity at it's finest
Truth is a movie star Ewan, his buddy Charlie (actor) and a cameraman Claudio drive their bikes 20,000 miles. They deal with borders, sleep in strange places, eat strange foods and don't speak the languages. They have help (bribes, staff, fixers, etc.)and 2 follow vehicles that are usually out of camera view. We watch them navigate country "roads" and cuss, crash (tip-over), fix bikes, get stuck, cross rivers, make cameos at UNICEFs and say "tarmac" a lot. In fact they often appear to be amateur motorcyclists.
There's no witty Anthony Bourdain city history and food lessons or insightful Samantha Brown 'places to visit' guidance, but only a few whispered tidbits.
As a bonus, the series shows us the kindness and sharing spirit of many people, their homes and environments. And, if not for the locals' mechanical adeptness and hospitality, Ewan and Charlie and Claudio (3rd biker/cameraman) couldn't have brought back video of these beautiful people and places for us.
It's a standard road trip from Alaska to NYC.
Some can't miss parts are the Russian river crossings in giant, all wheel drive trucks, not hillbilly redneck big but full out Brutalist Communist big and the guy with an AK-47 in one hand and a guitar in another.
Great people, great places. I enjoyed watching the series.
 The best motorcycle ride ever
Great documentary of an around the world ride. This is the best motorcycle riding, buddy documentary ever. It is a little long, so take a few nights to watch it. Also, they like to use the "F" word a lot, so if you are offended be forewarned.
Wonderful epic adventure
I watched this documentary three times in two weeks. I totally enjoyed all of the participants in this journey. Found the photography wonderful, as well as the video diaries. It was astounding that these motorcycles were able to withstand such conditions and continue to function. I think I'll trot on down to my BMW dealer and see what that's all about. Makes me wish I was 20 years younger; sounds like a trip right up my alley!
A great show
Even if you're not into motorcycles, Long Way Round is an entertaining journey that proves that the Law of Hospitality is truly universal across all cultures.
It grew on me
A friend who had recently returned from a cross-country (USA) bike trip loaned me this. Knowing I enjoy bikes (riding for over 40 years), he thought I might like it.
About 20 minutes into it, I was ready to quit. The two main characters (Ewan and Charlie) struck me as goofie, inexperienced, self-indulgent "movie types". All the silliness was almost more than I could take.
On top of that, I was amused (and disappointed) to learn of the extent of their travelling support -- they were basically accompanied by an entire crew, including a doctor, in several 4WD vehicles. Adventure, I wondered? Yeah, right.
But I stayed with it, almost forcing myself because my friend was so enthusiastic about the film. And after a while, I began to warm up to it.
Ewan and Charlie are no patsies. Although they had a full support team, they mostly rode alone (with cameraman Claudio -- an immensely likeable guy -- on a separate bike), with the support vehicles and team well behind them. Watch these guys repeatedly dig their bikes out of mud and muck in the middle of literally nowhere...watch them sleep in rough and unknown conditions night after night...go with them into strange and a bit frightening situations over and over...see the repeated breakdowns, broken bikes (including frames), accidents, injuries...and see the overall good spirits they maintained through it...well, I think you have to respect them for it all.
It would obviously not have been possible to film this journey without a crew. Probably it would not be possible to even do it without some support, at least not in four months. So we would not have the benefit of "going with them" any other way. For myself, I very much enjoyed the footage of Mongolia and other obscure parts of the former Soviet Union. Amazing images that tell so much, I think particularly to those of us with some knowledge of the history of the region (my undergrad degree was in Eastern European history).
I think the most telling thing for me was that by the time it was over, not only did I respect these guys, I actually liked them. :) I didn't at the beginning. But their goofy attitudes, juvenile jokes and silly behavior finally got me laughing with them. I decided they'd be fun to hang out with. Or ride with.
Favorite moment: When the wives and kids join them just outside NY is definitely the most touching moment (I think they must have moved the camera away to protect Charlie, the big lug, from footage of himself crying :) ). But I really appreciated the footage of children in Russia and Mongolia, and I enjoyed the visit to Orange County Choppers, and the guys escorting Charlie and Ewan into NYC. The whole film was very enjoyable, overall.
I held back on giving it five stars really for one reason: I would love to show this movie to my children (6 and 4), but the fowl language makes it impossible. Maybe to some it's part of the "charm" and "real life" aspect of the film, but I can't get beyond the fact that I find it offensive when people use the "f word" about every 30 seconds. Other than that, it's an enjoyable film and I will probably watch it again.
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