The Friday Flick: The Greatest Show On Earth

Welcome to the first of what is to be a weekly staple here on The Roar, the Friday Flick, in which we will feature a classic cycling film, documentary or racing clip for your viewing pleasure.

It might even help you get through the last couple of hours at work, you never know, and get those juices flowing and the adrenaline pumping for your Saturday ride!

First up here is an absolute classic from the vaults, ‘The Greatest Show On Earth.’

Directed by Michael Phlegar, the film traces the story of the 1974 Giro d’Italia, which featured the legendary Eddy Merckx, Felice Gimondi of Italy and Spanish climbing sensation Jose Manuel Fuente as they battle it out for the race’s famous Pink Jersey (or Maglia Rosa, in Italian).

Viewed after all these years, the film offers a window into another era, a glimpse through the decades and lingers on the architecture of the time, as well as the cars, the bikes and the dress of people along the route.

In that sense, it represents an historical document as much as it does a recounting of the ’74 Giro, and it’s all the richer for it.

You can also see how the riders ‘rehydrated’ themselves in the days before support motor bikes carried water bottles, as they do today. At one point in the film, several ‘domestiques,’ or support riders, clamber off their bikes and raid a local café, stripping it bare of water, Coca Cola and, showing the keen Italian eye for luxury, some grab wine and champagne.

Jerseys stuffed full to bursting, they run out of the shop and race back to their team leaders, to dispense their booty.

Well directed and brilliantly narrated, it’s a real visual treat. Enjoy.