American Flyers (1985)

60% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(7,152 ratings)

It takes a fierce three-day bicycle race up in the mountains to reunite two formerly feuding brothers in this film written by Steve Tesich, the creator of another cycle movie, 1979's Breaking Away. This film will please the cycling lovers out there, as it includes actual footage taken from the… More It takes a fierce three-day bicycle race up in the mountains to reunite two formerly feuding brothers in this film written by Steve Tesich, the creator of another cycle movie, 1979's Breaking Away. This film will please the cycling lovers out there, as it includes actual footage taken from the famous Coors International Bicycle Classic, held in the Colorado Rockies. The plot revolves around the suspicion that one of the two brothers -- either the pragmatic sports doctor Marcus (Kevin Costner) or the impudent, driven David (David Marshall Grant) -- is likely afflicted with an inherited tendency toward cerebral aneurysms. ~ Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: John Badham
Written By: Steve Tesich
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Aug 16, 1985 Wide
On DVD: Dec 21, 1999
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Unfortunately, overblown production just pumps hot air in too many directions and comes up limp.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
The performances aren't bad, but they aren't good enough to give the film the heft it doesn't otherwise have.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
American Flyers is shaky at the core, because it tries to tap-dance around its own central issues.
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
Scriptwriter Steve Tesich returns to bicycle racing, but he's forced to throw in a subplot about an incurable movie disease to make the thing work.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Disjointed and underdeveloped.
Wally Hammond, Time Out
A pleasant, straight-down-the-road, cliché-ridden ride.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Offers a thrilling and positive portrait of cross-country biking.
Fred Topel, About.com
Classic '80s sports movie. Surprising twist, and thrilling bike scenes.
, Film4
Its overwelming sentimentality obscures the excitement of the race and some fine performances.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
There are certainly worse ways to spend 100 minutes - particularly if you're a bicycling enthusiast.
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide
Thankfully, Costner and Grant are able to overcome the bumpy screenplay and ride American Flyers to a satisfying, if predictable, conclusion.

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

John M

This movie was a lot better than it should have been. Costner as the sick and dying brother does a good job here.
Sanjaya &

Well... I think American Flyers is a great movie from the 80's.... A great & entertaining movie from Kevin Costner!!!! Even i'm never watch a movie from the 80's... But I'm pretty sure this movie is one of the great!!! Best movie from the year 1980s
Dean M

Three cheers for two brothers together in a world-class cycling competition that really exciting me to make their win the race.
Joseph E

This film is a film that you can watch over and over, and still feel happy inside.
RJ M

Kevin Costner and David Grant play brothers that have become estranged after their fathers death. Costner is a champion bike racer that convinces Grant to compete with him in The Hell Of The West, the toughest bicycyle race in the country. They train together, and try to rebuild their… More
Kevin Costner and David Grant play brothers that have become estranged after their fathers death. Costner is a champion bike racer that convinces Grant to compete with him in The Hell Of The West, the toughest bicycyle race in the country. They train together, and try to rebuild their relationship, all the while worrying that the congenital condition that struck down their father could strike them as well. The movie directed by John Badham, who helmed movies like War Games, Blue Thunder, and Saturday Night Fever. It contains some of the most exhilirating action scenes in movies, including footage taken from a camera mounted on the handlebars, giving the viewer a riders-eye view of what it is like to race a 10-speed bike 60mph down the Rocky Mountains. Rae Dawn Chong and Alexandra Paul co-star at the brothers girlfriends.

Cast

            Kevin Costner as Marcus Sommers

            David Marshall Grant as David Sommers

            Rae Dawn Chong as Sarah

            Alexandra Paul as Becky

            Janice Rule as Mrs. Sommers

            Luca Bercovici as Muzzin

            Robert Townsend as Jerome

            Cathy Carr as Reporter

            Brian Drebber as Race Announcer

            John Garber as Belov

            Jennifer Grey as Leslie

            Debbie James
            
            Doi Johnson as Randolph

            Judy Jordan as Woman Reporter

            Tom Lawrence as Timekeeper

            Jessica Nelson as Hitchhiker

            Jan Speck as Receptionist

            James Terry as Hitchhiker

            Kate Sullivan as Reporter

            Greg Walker as Photographer

            Gregg Hayden Bilson II as Race Official

            Christine Blackwell as Race Official

            Peter Boyles as Reporter

            Steven Burch as Reporter

            John J. Caraccioli as Autograph Hound

            Martin Chenoweth as Reporter

            Jim Flanagin as Reporter

            Sig Frohlich as Mail Clerk

            Michael Harshberger as Race Official

            Barbara Hinchcliffe as Autograph Hound

            Katherine Kriss as Vera

            Craig Manning as Race Official

            Eddy Merckx as Himself

            Brad Peterman as Race Official

            Christopher Ziesmer as Race Official

            Robert Anderson as Reporter

            David Grant
            
            John Amos
            
            Steven Van Zandt
            
See full cast