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American Flyers (1985)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 5.5/10
Reviews Counted: 20
Fresh: 12 | Rotten: 8

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 3

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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 7,094

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Movie Info

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

PG-13, 1 hr. 53 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure

Directed By: John Badham

Written By: Steve Tesich

In Theaters: Aug 16, 1985 Wide

On DVD: Dec 21, 1999

Warner Home Video

American Flyers Trailer & Photos

Cast

Kevin Costner
Marcus Sommers
David Marshall Grant
David Sommers
Rae Dawn Chong
Sarah
Alexandra Paul
Becky
Janice Rule
Mrs. Sommers
Luca Bercovici
Muzzin
Robert Townsend
Jerome
Cathy Carr
Reporter
Brian Drebber
Race Announcer
John Garber
Belov
Jennifer Grey
Leslie
Debbie James
Doi Johnson
Randolph
Judy Jordan
Woman Reporter
Tom Lawrence
Timekeeper
Jessica Nelson
Hitchhiker
Jan Speck
Receptionist
James Terry
Hitchhiker
Kate Sullivan
Reporter
Greg Walker
Photographer
Gregg Hayden Bilson II
Race Official
Christine Blackwell
Race Official
Peter Boyles
Reporter
Steven Burch
Reporter
John J. Caraccioli
Autograph Hound
Martin Chenoweth
Reporter
Jim Flanagin
Reporter
Sig Frohlich
Mail Clerk
Michael Harshberger
Race Official
Barbara Hinchcliffe
Autograph Hound
Katherine Kriss
Vera
Craig Manning
Race Official
Eddy Merckx
Himself
Brad Peterman
Race Official
Christopher Ziesmer
Race Official
Robert Anderson
Reporter
David Grant
John Amos

Critic Reviews for American Flyers

All Critics (20) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (8) | DVD (5)

Unfortunately, overblown production just pumps hot air in too many directions and comes up limp.

August 4, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

The performances aren't bad, but they aren't good enough to give the film the heft it doesn't otherwise have.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

American Flyers is shaky at the core, because it tries to tap-dance around its own central issues.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

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.

August 4, 2008 Comment

Douglas Pratt

DVDLaser

Disjointed and underdeveloped.

August 4, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

A pleasant, straight-down-the-road, clich�-ridden ride.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Wally Hammond

Time Out

Offers a thrilling and positive portrait of cross-country biking.

August 22, 2004 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

Classic '80s sports movie. Surprising twist, and thrilling bike scenes.

July 14, 2003 Comment

Fred Topel

About.com

Its overwelming sentimentality obscures the excitement of the race and some fine performances.

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Film4

There are certainly worse ways to spend 100 minutes - particularly if you're a bicycling enthusiast.

January 15, 2003 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com

| Comment

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

Thankfully, Costner and Grant are able to overcome the bumpy screenplay and ride American Flyers to a satisfying, if predictable, conclusion.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Dan Jardine

Apollo Guide

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for American Flyers

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

March 29, 2007

John Manard

Super Reviewer

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

February 15, 2007

Sanjaya 丘耀文

Super Reviewer

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