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==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
The soundtrack to the film is a highly sought collectable. The soundtrack was released on 12" vinyl only, by [[Curb Records]] in late 1986, and featured various artists including [[John Farnham]], 3 Speed, Hubert Kah and [[Real Life]].
The soundtrack to the film is a highly sought collectable. The soundtrack was released on 12" vinyl and cassette, by [[Curb Records]] in late 1986, and featured various artists including [[John Farnham]], 3 Speed, Hubert Kah and [[Real Life]].


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 21:53, 29 September 2010

Rad
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHal Needham
Written bySam Bernard
Geoffery Edwards
Produced bySam Bernard,
Mary Eilts,
Robert L. Levy,
Jack Schwartzman
StarringBill Allen,
Lori Loughlin,
Talia Shire,
Ray Walston,
Alfie Wise,
Jack Weston
CinematographyRichard Leiterman
Music byJames Di Pasquale
Distributed byTriStar Pictures
Release date
March 21, 1986
Running time
91 min.
CountryTemplate:FilmUS
LanguageEnglish

Rad is a film about BMX racing, first released in the USA in 1986. The film was written by Sam Bernard and Geoffrey Edwards and directed by Hal Needham. It stars Bill Allen and Lori Loughlin. While the film was critically lambasted, it has developed into a cult classic. Parts of this movie were filmed at Cochrane High School in Cochrane Alberta Canada.

Plot

The film's story focuses on Cru Jones (Bill Allen), a young BMX racer who lives in a small town with his mother (Talia Shire) and sister. Cru is faced with a tough decision: the qualifying races for Helltrack are the same day as his SAT's, which he must take in order to attend college. However, winning Helltrack means a lucrative sponsorship deal and fame. Cru chooses the latter option, ignoring his mother's wishes.

The Helltrack race is endorsed by the city and a duplicitous Duke Best (Jack Weston), president of The Federation of American Bicyclists and owner of Mongoose bicycles. Best keeps adjusting the rules in order to keep Cru out of the race and to ensure BMX star Bart Taylor (1984 Olympic gymnastics champion Bart Conner) has an easy road to victory, thus providing a financial windfall for Mongoose Racing, Bart's sponsor.

Racers from all around come to this small town for the Helltrack and Cru meets Christian Hollings (Lori Loughlin), who becomes Cru's romantic interest. Christian and Cru have an interesting scene at the local high school dance where, instead of dancing like the other couples, they perform freestyle bike stunts on the dance floor, to the awe of many. Duke Best and his flunkie step over to the punchbowl, and "wake up those drinks" to which the mayor/restaurant manager says "don't mind if I do." After being blocked from the race due to a last minute rule change on participant sponsorship, Cru is ready to give up his dreams of winning Helltrack. Christian provides Cru with an idea for how he can still enter the race. With the help of one of the townsfolk, Mr. Timmer (Ray Walston) and the founding of "Rad Racing," a small t-shirt business started by Cru's classmate Matt Weston., Cru is finally able to enter Helltrack. Sgt. Smith tells Cru to "pretend he's in the lumberyard....Go balls out."

Video

The film was only released on pan-and-scan VHS and laserdisc in 1986, where the film quickly found a following and became a top-ten video rental for two years after the film's release.[1] The film has never been released on any other home video format such as DVD in any region.


Soundtrack

The soundtrack to the film is a highly sought collectable. The soundtrack was released on 12" vinyl and cassette, by Curb Records in late 1986, and featured various artists including John Farnham, 3 Speed, Hubert Kah and Real Life.

References

  1. ^ "Rad". The 80s Movie Rewind.