Closer To The Edge

I have many things that I’m Passionate about in my life from films and books to games and music but there is one thing that I love that I don't often get to talk about much, and that is my love of motorbikes and motorbike racing. Probably the most well know motorbike race is the Isle Of Man T.T (Tourist trophy). The T.T is a 35 mile time trail road race,Sadly it is also one of the most dangerous races in the world with over 200 people having lost there lives.

At Christmas I was given a PS3 and one of the first bluray I picked up was TT3D: Closer To The Edge. A documentary by Richard De Aragues that follows rides like Guy Martin and Ian Hutchinson in there bids to become the winner of the 2010 T.T race. Not only does Closer to the edge takes you though the events of the 2010 but it also tells you about the 100 year history of the T.T.

With lot's of footage of the race from both on-board the bikes and cameras covering the race,the documentary makers have done a good job of telling a cohesive story that covers all aspects of the event. If you have a 3D set up you can watch in all it's 3D glory, Not having a 3D TV I watched the 2D version which is on the same disk. Also include on the bluray are extra interviews with the riders and the full length film Charge,Narrated by Ewan McGregor. Charge follows several teams from around the world to the first ever zero-emissions international road races on the Isle of Man in 2009 and 2010

Documentary’s can be hard to review Sports documentary's doubly so, given that you as the watcher have to have some interest in the events taking place. If your in to bikes your going to love this or even if you have a passing inventress in bikes or motor racing, but this isn't just a film for the petrol heads out there no, the heart of this film is the people and what drives them to race on the roads of the isle of man at speeds that normal people would never dream of and knowing that one mistake or mechanical failure could kill them.

Richard De Aragues does a fantastic job of bring the 35 mile long race to life and letting you feel the speed and danger along the way. Never exploiting some of the tragedy that happen choosing instead to show the effect that it has on the family and fellow riders. When they do show crash footage it's to to illustrate the dangers that the riders face every time they set foot on the track.

Guy Martin is the rider we spend the most amount of time with getting to know him very well and when you watch it you can clearly see why the film-maker chose to focus on Guy as he is clearly a character that stands out among the other riders. Some times coming off as a little crazy you never once doubt his desire to win the T.T. Having finished on the podium 8 time yet never having won the T.T it's self, it's clear that Guy has the drive to succeed but will his ego get in the way.

Another part that I want to talk about is only a brief moment in the the film but it's both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time, it's the story of Michael Dunlop nephew of the legendary Joey Dunlop and son of Robert Dunlop. In May of 2008 Robert Dunlop died after suffering severe chest injuries in a crash during a practice session at the North West 200. Michael went on to win the race and dedicated the victory to his father, watching this moment will bring tears to your eyes as you see Michaels reaction to wining the race for his father.

I can heartily recommend this documentary it's not just for the race fans, with it's focus on the people who race and the effect it has on them and there family’s. Telling the story of the race and all the good and bad that happens to those taking part. Capturing the feel of racing a motorbike around the streets of the isle of man at speeds no sane man would ever dream of. It’s a story about freedom of choice and the strength of human spirit. If that's not enough for you here's what Mark Kermode had to say about the Film. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermode/2011/04/biker_boys.html