TT3D: Closer to the Edge

Last updated

TT3D: Closer to the Edge
TT3D Closer to the Edge.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRichard De Aragues
Produced bySteve Christian
Marc Samuelson
Starring Guy Martin
Ian Hutchinson
Narrated by Jared Leto
CinematographyThomas Kürzl
Edited byBeverley Mills
Music by Andy Gray
Production
companies
Isle of Man Film
CinemaNX
Release date
  • 22 April 2011 (2011-04-22)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2,036,488 (UK)

TT3D: Closer to the Edge is a British documentary film by first time director Richard de Aragues. The film is narrated by Jared Leto and charts the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race that takes place on the Isle of Man every year. It follows the leading riders in the 2010 race, most notably Guy Martin and Ian Hutchinson.

Contents

It was shot in 3D, and charts the racers' dedication and the risks involved in their bid to become King of the Mountain. The film was released to the public in 2011 to critical acclaim and was a financial success. Grossing $2 million, it is the seventh highest-grossing documentary in the United Kingdom. [1]

Synopsis

The film charts the build up to the 2010 races, and then documents each of the races and their results. These take place along public roads through the Isle of Man, covering 37.73 miles of terrain, and packed with thousands of spectators who have come from all over the world. Using 3D technology, Closer to the Edge captures the 2010 races and attempts to show what motivates the racers.

The film features several racers, including Guy Martin, John McGuinness, Conor Cummins, and Ian Hutchinson. McGuinness is the most successful living TT rider, having won the TT fifteen times. In 2009 Hutchinson won two TT's in one day, another road race, the North West 200, in Northern Ireland as well as competing every week at the top of the British Superstock Championship.

The film reveals how, for more than 100 years, riders have come to the Isle of Man to compete. The narration suggests that the TT has always called for a commitment far beyond any other racing event, and since the race began over 200 people have died in the races.

The second half of the film introduces Bridget Dobbs, mother of two and widow of Paul Dobbs ("Dobsy") who died in the 2010 races. Bridget understands and accepts that her husband, like many others, died doing something he loved. Despite the near fatal injuries, the film shows how those that survive all want to go back and do it again.

Production

Directed by motorsports and commercial director Richard De Aragues, the film utilises a range of archive footage along with 3D technology and high definition equipment to capture the races. [2] The director explained, "The TT has been filmed before, however, not until now have the tools existed that could do justice to those that have competed over the 37¾ miles that make up the legendary Mountain Circuit." TT3D: Closer To The Edge was produced by CinemaNX, the film production and distribution company backed by the Isle of Man Government. It was filmed in the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, England, New Zealand and Los Angeles, California. In March 2011, it was announced that Jared Leto would narrate the film. [3]

Critical reception

TT3D: Closer to the Edge was universally acclaimed by critics, with a 100% fresh critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes based on 18 reviews as of February 2012. [4] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film 4 stars out of 5 and stated that "It's a saturnalia of excitement, saturated with thrills and a sense of danger that is almost spiritual." [5] Catherine Bray, writing for Film4, also gave the film a 4 out of 5, and called it "a thrilling, funny and moving human drama for pretty much everyone, not just biking enthusiasts." [6] Graham Young of the Birmingham Post praised the film and wrote, "with history offering a fatality for every corner and more than five per mile, your heart will be in your mouth watching the likes of maverick rider Guy Martin go hell for leather in search of his dream of winning just one race." [7] Philip De Semlyen of Empire gave the film 4 stars out of 5 and stated that the Isle of Man TT is pure cinema. [8] Philip French of The Observer gave the film a positive review and wrote, "the speeds on such narrow, winding public roads are hair-raising and superbly photographed, the crashes spectacular and the riders far more likable than anyone involved in Formula One." [9] Anthony Quinn of The Independent gave the film 5 stars out of 5 and wrote that "De Aragues never loses sight of the sport's high-risk stakes, where a mechanical glitch or tiny error of judgment might be the difference between life and death." [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isle of Man TT</span> Annual motorcycle race held on the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man TT or Tourist Trophy races are an annual motorcycle racing event run on the Isle of Man in May and June of most years since its inaugural race in 1907. The event begins on the UK Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May and runs for thirteen days. It is often called one of the most dangerous racing events in the world as many competitors have died.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Hailwood</span> British motorcycle racer and racing driver (1940–1981)

Stanley Michael Bailey Hailwood, was an English professional motorcycle racer and racing driver. He is regarded by many as one of the greatest racers of all time. He competed in the Grand Prix motorcycle world championships from 1958 to 1967 and in Formula One between 1963 and 1974. Hailwood was known as "Mike The Bike" because of his natural riding ability on motorcycles with a range of engine capacities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Hennen</span> American motorcycle racer

Pat Hennen is an American former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He is notable for being the first American to win a 500 cc World Championship race, the 1976 500cc Finnish Grand Prix. Competing as a non-factory rider, he finished third overall in the GP World Championship standings that season, only 2 points behind runner-up Tepi Länsivuori and fellow Suzuki factory rider Barry Sheene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John McGuinness (motorcyclist)</span> British motorcycle racer

John Warren McGuinness is an English motorcycle road racer best known for being a specialist at the Isle of Man TT where he holds 23 wins and sits 3rd in the all time win list behind Michael Dunlop & Joey Dunlop. He and Mike Hailwood hold the record for the most amount of Senior TT wins, 7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Farquhar</span> Northern Irish motorcycle racer

Ryan Alan Robert Farquhar is a professional motorcycle racer who primarily competes in road racing. Farquhar won the Dukes Road Racing Rankings four times. He won five races at the Cookstown 100 in one day and now holds the most Irish national wins by any one rider, at 201. He previously raced a Kawasaki ZX-10R, a Kawasaki ZX-6R and a Kawasaki ER6.

Stanley Woods was an Irish motorcycle racer famous for 29 motorcycle Grand Prix wins in the 1920s and 1930s, winning the Isle of Man TT races ten times in his career, plus wins at Assen and elsewhere. He was also a skilled trials rider, competing in the 1940s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Molyneux</span>

Dave Molyneux is a Manx professional Sidecar racer. He is the most successful Sidecar competitor in the history of the Isle of Man TT races, achieving 17 TT victories and 30 podium finishes. His race wins place him fourth on the all-time wins list, behind solo bike racers Joey Dunlop, Michael Dunlop and John McGuinness (23).

The Verandah, Isle of Man is a series of four bends which motorcyclists negotiate at high speed during road racing on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the Isle of Man.

TAS Racing is an international motorcycle road racing team based in Moneymore, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Owned by Hector Neill, with his son Philip Neill as the team manager, the team has been known under a series of names: TAS Suzuki (2000–2006); Relentless Suzuki (2007–2011) an energy drink product of Coca-Cola; Tyco Suzuki (2012–2014) a security services supplier. In late 2014, after a 15-year partnership with Suzuki, the team signed to become the road racing partner for BMW Motorrad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy Martin</span> British former motorcycle racer

Guy Martin is a British former motorcycle racer and heavy vehicle mechanic who became a television presenter. In July 2017, Martin retired from motorcycle racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conor Cummins</span> Manx motorcycle racer

Conor Cummins is a Manx motorcycle road racer who rides in British racing events, competing in the British Superstock Championship, as well as in specialist closed-road events at his home Isle of Man TT races and in Northern Ireland. A part-time seasonal racer, his normal income is derived from his business as a barista.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Hutchinson (motorcyclist)</span> English professional motorcycle road racer

Ian Hutchinson is an English professional motorcycle road racer specialising in events held on closed public roads, such as the Isle of Man TT, the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Isle of Man TT</span>

The 2010 Isle of Man TT Festival was held between Saturday 29 May and Friday 11 June on the 37.73-mile Isle of Man TT Mountain Course. The 2010 races again included a second 600 cc Supersport Junior TT race. The Lightweight TT and Ultra-Lightweight TT race class previously held on the 4.25-mile (6.84 km) Billown Circuit in the Isle of Man for the 2008 Isle of Man TT and 2009 Isle of Man TT were dropped from the 2010 race schedule. The 2010 Isle of Man TT Races included the one-lap TT Zero for racing motorcycles "to be powered without the use of carbon based fuels and have zero toxic/noxious emissions." which replaced the TTXGP and also a Suzuki 50th Anniversary Lap of Honour and the TT Classic Parade which were held before the main Senior TT race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Dunlop</span> Northern Irish professional motorcycle racer

Michael Dunlop is a Northern Irish professional motorcycle racer who currently sits second in the all time win list at the Isle of Man TT with 25 wins, second only to his late uncle Joey. Known as part of a motorcycle racing dynasty, Michael is the brother of William Dunlop, son of Robert Dunlop and nephew of former World Champion Joey Dunlop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Dobbs</span>

Paul Dobbs was a motorcycle road racer and development test rider from New Zealand. He first competed in the Isle of Man TT races in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ballagarey Corner, Isle of Man</span> Residential village and point on road-race course

Ballagarey is located between the third and fourth milemarkers used for recognition of the Snaefell Mountain Course road-racing circuit on the primary A1 Douglas to Peel road, in the parish of Marown in the Isle of Man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Kneen</span> Professional motorcycle racer

Daniel Richard Kneen was a professional motorcycle racer from Douglas, Isle of Man.

Paul Bird Motorsport are a British motorcycle road racing, car racing and rallying organisation. The owner Paul Bird competed as a rally driver and was formerly a solo-rider in motocross. His son Frank is a car racer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Pickrell</span> British motorcycle racer

Raymond Pickrell was an English short-circuit motorcycle road racer who won four Isle of Man TT motorcycle races.

References

  1. ↑ Gant, Charles (14 June 2011). "The 2011 doc surge". The Guardian . Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  2. ↑ "Isle of Man TT set to go 3D!". Isle of Man TT. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  3. ↑ Kemp, Stuart (16 March 2011). "Jared Leto to Narrate 'TT3D: Closer to the Edge'". The Hollywood Reporter . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "TT3D Closer To The Edge (2011)". Rotten Tomatoes . Flixster . Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  5. ↑ Bradshaw, Peter (21 April 2011). "TT3D: Closer to the Edge – review". The Guardian . Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  6. ↑ Bray, Catherine. "TT3D: Closer to the Edge". Film4 . Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  7. ↑ Young, Graham (20 April 2011). "TT3D: Closer to the Edge". Birmingham Post . Trinity Mirror . Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  8. ↑ De Semlyen, Philip. "TT3D: Closer to the Edge". Empire . Bauer Media Group . Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  9. ↑ French, Philip (24 April 2011). "TT3D: Closer to the Edge – review". The Guardian . Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  10. ↑ Quinn, Anthony (22 April 2011). "TT3D: Closer To The Edge (12A)" . The Independent . Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.