The new Evel Knievel documentary “Being Evel” has received upbeat reviews so far.
The documentary on the famous daredevil and Butte native debuted at the high-profile Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Sunday.
Reviewer Drew Taylor of Indiewire.com calls the movie a “death-defying treat:”
“But what makes the new documentary 'Being Evel' such a propulsive, rocket-powered kick is that it gets behind the swagger and investigates what drove the man to risk his life, time and time again,” writes Taylor. “As Johnny Carson once put it, Knievel was ‘the only man in history who has become very wealthy by trying to kill himself.’”
Entertainment Weekly reports that “Being Evel” tells the "real story" of “the charismatic showman who discovered the most lucrative way to support his family was to risk life and limb in highly orchestrated and heavily promoted motorcycle leaps.”
“Being Evel” is produced by Johnny Knoxville, notorious stuntman and actor; BMX athlete Mat Hoffman; and Jeff Tremaine. Known to local fans, Hoffman performed at Evel Knievel Days last summer in Uptown Butte.