Pantani: The Accidental Death Of A Cyclist [DVD]

To head off any comments about how I saw this before the DVD release- this film was premiered a few weeks ago in a small number of cinemas and I was lucky enough to see it in Belfast just after the Giro team presentation at a showing followed by a Q&A with James Erskine and Matt Rendell. Why was Matt Rendell there? Well, this documentary was inspired by his brilliant, balanced and detailed "The Death of Marco Pantani" although due to the nature of film making there were only certain elements that could be included.As for the actual documentary- it brings together many of the important people in Pantani's life to develop an picture of a complex and passionate individual. We live in a world shaped by media that prefers simplified binary oppositions- people are either for us or against us, good or bad- however this documentary challenges that simplistic dichotomy- it is too easy to condemn pro cyclists from that era for all being "bad people who cheated using drugs" but this work places everything in context. While not condoning what went on during a dark period for cycling, it forces viewers to ask themselves honestly what choices they would have made in the same position.There is also a tendency among many to promote Pantani to the sainthood, such are the myths and narratives that were built around him, but again Erskine avoids this- the film doesn't judge Pantani, it simply offers opportunities to understand a very complex man who struggled a lot internally. It is to Erskine's credit that he cut through a lot of the protective bubble people close to Pantani erected to preserve his legend, and it humanises him all the more.While offering an extra "chapeau" to Erskine on the Dario Fo inspired title, it is important to note that you do not have to be a cycling fan to find this an excellent piece of work-in fact it would be interesting to see the responses from those who are approaching Pantani with fresh eyes, not carrying the baggage of opinions from the past. And for those of us who have followed the sport for a long time- the archive footage of Bartali and Coppi, as well as Pantani himself as he surges away climbing on the drops is worth the price of the film alone as well as underlining just why Il Pirata inspired such fervent support.

Excellent documentary. What this really highlights is the damage done by the whole decades long doping scandal that rocked cycling. The film looks at how Pantani started as a youngster with a love of cycling and a gift for climbing mountains on the bike. It goes on to look at how somewhere along the way to winning a tour and Giro title in the same year he was charged with doping offences and from there spiralled into depression and drug use.Its a great and well filmed documentary with lots of information I wasn't aware of. It takes a look at that era without focusing on Lance Armstrong (as so many others have).Its very poignant as it uses members of his close friends and families - in particular his mother talks about how she always encouraged his love of cycling as she saw it as something healthy and social.....but she realised after that Marco was being pushed from a healthy love of sport and competition towards the sole quest of winning...and this unfortunately had to involve drugs in that era...Well worth checking out and as good as the lance armstrong documentary (which was also excellent!)

I remembered fragments about Pantani from the 90s, but now having seen this documentary I have become acquainted with the compelling story of a tremendously exciting talent and character who was arguably 'abandoned by cycling' and subsequently died heartbroken. He was certainly one of the more interesting personalities of the Peloton - entertaining everyone by loitering innocuously at the back and then shooting past on the climbs with amazing turns of speed that tore the poursuivants to shreds and this documentary relives that excitement as well as the incredible fact that he achieved records after suffering so severe an injury that it was doubtful he would ever walk again. I think it's a touching homage - Pantani was brave, brilliant and a little vulnerable and he loved cycling - a good, amazing sad story.

A real character in cycling who enthralled a nation of cycling lovers. He lived during the dark times of cycling where the pursuit of glory often involved pushing the barriers with dodgy performance enhancing practices. This DVD covers some of the pressures applied to cyclists at the time. It unfortunately also covers the darker side of how the pressures spilled over into deeper psychological problems for some individuals. A good watch even if your not an avid cycling fan - a must watch if you are.

Celebration of the life and sad demise of one of the greatest cyclists of recent times. Sad tale of a young man forced by his team and peers do things he was unhappy about in order to compete on a level playing field at the top end of a sport that then ostracised him for daring to do his best. A sad indictment of the politics and corruption that ran the "sport" at the time. Il Pirata will always be a hero to me. Hang your heads in shame Lance Armstrong and all those others who turned your backs and left him to crash and burn and die a lonely and villified young man.

It’s an amazing story of his life, very interesting to know. We enjoyed it very much even though it’s a sad story

You have to be a cycling fan, but if you are it helps to understand why Pantani is still so loved in Italy. Can’t help but leave with the feeling that no one sets out to dope and he was as much a victim as a perpetrator. Highly recommended!

This is a phenomenal documentary. Beautifully weighted between Pantani's early life and his career. It includes some wonderful interviews with Pantani himself as well as family, friends and colleagues. The film is balanced and honest without losing sight of the beauty of film making. Some of the shots are exceptional. I can't recommend this film enough.

Not a lot of new info and lots of Italian speaking interviews with very fast moving subtitles. Lots of pausing required

内容はネットで話題になっていたので、ある程度わかっていましたが、Amazonサイトでは全く記載が無し。そして、おそらく一般の方が購入されてトラブると思われるのはリージョン・コードの記載が無いこと。国内で一般に市販されているプレイヤーでは再生できないと思われます。一部の隣国製のプレイヤーなら再生できますが。上記の点から内容だけなら５つ星ですが販売元の不親切さから大幅減点です。

Beware: this is the PAL version, it won't play on a North American player. I had to bin mine without watching....

Super DvD,,,schade nur das es nicht in Deutscher sprache gibt...sonst alles okay,,bin sehr zufrieden mit dieser DVD,,werde es weiterempfehlen,,,weiter so...

It was not even about the money. I waited for 6 weeks to see this documentary of my favorite cyclist. I got duped by amazon. It WILL NOT happen again. Bye amazon,