The Last Kilometer is a documentary film featuring Davide Rebellin and Ignazio Moser, two riders with over 20 years of age in between. It also includes press room legend Gianni Mura, sometimes known as one of the few journalists to still use a typewriter but hopefully better know for his great prose and knowledge.
I know this has been in production for some time but it’s now due for release on DVD and here’s the trailer. There’s also Didi “The Devil” Senft as well as Cadel Evans plus plenty of race footage.
We might get plenty of TV footage from HDTV of the Tour de France all the way to pirate video feeds as well as some content provided by teams like Orica-Greenedge’s amusing “Backstage Pass.” But a film documentary promises a different take, if not a neutral view then the eye of an outside and a story that sweeps across the season rather than the procession of a single race. An Italian film it is also titled L’Ultimo Chilometro.
- Talking of films, you can watch a high quality video of the 1976 documentary “A Sunday in Hell” online at http://dafilms.com/film/8352-a-sunday-in-hell/ and the film available to watch for free until 25 November. There’s a version on youtube but this is legitimate and suitable for full-screen viewing
Over “blank” years of age between them … 🙂
Thanks for sharing! As a genuine sucker for this kind of stuff I’ve just ordered a copy. I can always fast-forward (and be thankful it’s not smell-o-vision) through the bits showing Didi the Devil, the screwball who inspired a generation of nitwits to dress up in costume and get in the way at the big races, just to get their few seconds of filmed immortality.
Speaking of Didi, it’s a bit embarrassing they can’t spell his name correctly. Besides that it seems to be a cool film.
why? what’s the real name? isn’t it Didi Senft? (however I agree, it seems a good film)
John
They spell it “Ditier” in the credits of the film. Didi is short for Dieter.
Wor lass and I stood next to Didi at a Giro depart in Amsterdam a few years ago and he seemed quite normal (apart from the costume) a pleasant chap, and no untoward odours. Yes we could do without the nitwits for sure, imagine the same sort of thing going on in other sports, there are the occasional streakers, but we in cycle racing suffer more than most.
Thanks for the “A Sunday in Hell” link. Have been wanting to watch that for some time. Should kill a few hours this weekend.
Thannks for the heads-up.
In the trailer, that cut from the Arenberg forest crash* to F. Moser swirling his white is the absolute highlight.
*I hope the amateur who did that lucky shot gets royalties for it’s use.
Looks good for winter.
Had heard that Didi the Devil was ill during the Tour de France. What is his condition now?
He’s recovered. I could be wrong but think he made one of the end of season races.
v. nice clip, the crash sequence @ 1.27 is a real eye-opener
Just cool …
I’m having mixed feelings about this highlighting Rebellin. I hope they don’t shy away from addressing his doping past and that he speaks plainly about it.
The trailer mentions he was caught in the Olympics and it’ll be interesting to see how the topic is approached. He could be an interesting subject, Rebellin is one of the most religious members of the peloton and hesitated between turning pro and becoming a priest.
“20 years of age between them” — Do you mean years of pro cycling?
I only recently discovered this site and appreciate the substance of the posts and comments as well as the general civility of the comments
Speaking of videos, does anyone know of a way to buy downloadable footage from prior year races? Youtube is ok….but finding consistent content is often a hassle.
Btw…love this blog….thank you!
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