directed
by Tómas Gislason
Denmark 2005
In 2001 did Bjarne Riis, former Tour de France winner,
become leader of the Danish Team CSC, and from the very first day, his
intentions was to create the best cycle team in the world; and do so with non
traditional means.
Central to Riis was, and still is, that a team is a team. No rider is more
important than the next. There are no stars, no water bearers. Every rider is
as important for the team as the next. Building Team CSC he introduced
teambuilding, coaching and communication; strange new things in the world of
professional cycle sport.
With “Overcoming”, Danish director Tómas Gislason portraits Team CSC, their
preparations, their training, the ups and downs before and during the Tour de
France 2004. Over a period of 8 months, using up to 32 cameras, Gislason
covered everything and ended up with more than 1000 hours of footage, which
had to be cut down to a mere 90 minutes.
The result is spectacular. “Overcoming” is not only the best film about cycle
sport since Jřrgen Leth's portrait of Paris-Roubaix, “A Sunday Day in Hell”
(1976), but also one of the best and most innovative documentary films in
years.
Trained as an editor, Gislason became known as a writer, by writing Lars von
Trier's “Elements of Crime”, as well as “The Kingdom”, and worked as a
consultant on “Zentropa” and “Breaking the Waves”. But his heart has always
been beating for the art of editing; that and for documentary film.
Nothing about “Overcoming” looks like anything one has ever seen before.
Gislason employs text to make statements: buzzwords, power words, quotes. We
see a rider in pain up a mountain; Gislason zooms in, slows the motion down to
next to a still and fades in the word – commitment, then to speed up again and
let the silence of his heartbeat be replaces the the roars of the audience. It
is not in order to manipulate the viewer. Gislason uses images and situations
to emphasize the philosophy of Riis about teambuilding and coaching. This is a
textbook, but instead of words, we get live footage.
Another addition to the form is Gislason editing the Tour de France like an
action film, using every trick in the book: parallel montages, pacing,
inserts. We see Ivan Basso and Lance Armstrong up the mountain during the 13.
stage, pacing of frames are stretched, we feel their exhaustion, their pain,
as they have been riding uphill for 192.5 kilometers, then we see a zoom of
Armstrong, split screen to Riis in the car, voice over of commentator
announcing that Armstrong and Basso are making a go for it, full screen Riis
saying, “This is going to be a good day!” In less than 8 minutes both
have taken the last 5 kilometers and are fighting neck by neck. Basso wins the
stage. It became a good day.
But “Overcoming” is more. It is an intimate portrait of Riis and the riders,
where nothing to sacred. These gods of cycle sport are being demystified into
normal human beings, with doubts, frustrations and fears, with blood, sweat
and tears.
Both as film and as documentary film, “Overcoming” deserves to be called a
masterpiece. Form and presentation takes full advantage of everything film has
to offer, telling an emotional gripping story about overcoming obstacles, what
ever they may be. Inspiring in every possible way.
Poster
 |
Theatrical Release: June 10, 2005
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: Nordisk Film - Region 2 - PAL
Big thanks to Henrik Sylow for the Review!
| DVD Box Cover |
|
CLICK to order from:
|
| Distribution |
Nordisk Film Region 2 - PAL |
|
| Runtime | 1:47:52 | |
| Video |
1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
|
|
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
||
| Bitrate |
|
|
| Audio | 2.0 Dolby Digital (384 Kbps), 5.1 Dolby Digital English / French / Italian / German / Danish | |
| Subtitles | English, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, None | |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Nordisk Film Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 13 |
|
| Comments | As
mentioned in the review, the footage was shot using up to 36 cameras. The
quality depends on which camera was used, location, light, and so forth.
While many scenes are grainy, shaky, overzoomed with pixels big enough to
feel, the controlled shots are beautiful. There are minor artefacts, but
all things aside, this is a great looking transfer. The sound is multi language - Danish, English, French, Italian, German - and quality depends on what type of microphone was used and if its a recording from a radio and so forth. Some of the dialogue is hard to hear, but everything is subtitled. As additional material, we are offered a look behind the scenes. We get to see the mechanics preparing the bikes, audiences setting up their location, how life is living in a car, and a portrain of Voight. Good supplements, but nothing more than footnotes really. What sadly is missing is an audio commentary by Gislason, preferable with Riis. This is a film that almost screams for having its director talking about method, style and production. |
Screen Captures
DVD Menus
subtitle sample (English only)
Captures resized to 800px from 1016px
Mail cheques, money orders, cash to: or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
|
Gary Tooze
|
|
Thank You!
Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason's - Overcoming - DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review Tómas Gislason Overcoming DVD Review
