On Any Sunday

1971 motorcycle documentary

Rating: 15/20

Plot: Motorcycle racers compete in a variety of motorcycle races.

I have no interest in motorcycles or racing of any kind, but this documentary from Bruce Brown, the guy who made the surfing documentary Endless Summer, is just so watchable. The cheesy narration that reminded me of film strips I watched in school as a kid and the cheesy music made this the documentary equivalent of candy. I enjoyed the personalities followed around the country, risking their bodies as they hurtle themselves through rugged terrain on these little machines. Fighting through injuries and pain and devoting themselves to this craft would make them seem like maniacs even if there was hefty prize money or glory to be had. These guys are doing it for far less than that although the sheer joy of doing it might be better than either money or fame. That's most evident in a beautiful series of shots at the end that show a trio of riders, one of them being none other than Steve McQueen, just riding along a beach for no reason other than being together and riding on motorcycles.

There's great footage of the various kinds of races. I enjoyed all the slow-motion shots of riders with the soles of their feet touching the ground as they round curves, but the marathon desert race would be the one I'd most want to take part in. I also enjoyed scenes from riders trying to ride up the side of a cliff.