Here’s the legendary film “Rad” in all its entirety. Some of you younger guys probably haven’t seen this… but now you have your chance to check it out.
“RAD BMX 1980 HD
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. Parts of this movie were filmed in Cochrane in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, Colonel Macleod Jr. High School, and at Bowness Park, both in Calgary, Alberta.
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 SATs, 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.”
Duke has his riders hold back while ahead of Cru in an attempt to sabotage his race, without success. Bart, who leads the race, slows down so that he and Cru can face each other one-on-one in the final stretch. Cru wins, and offers Bart a spot in Rad Racing as the film ends.”
Random photo… Bill Allen (Cru Jones) and I years ago at NORA Cup during Interbike in Las Vegas. Cru Jones bought me a drink! Not too many people can say that, haha!
Matt says
I love this movie so much. It reminds me so much of my childhood. We had a patch of woods behind my house that we used only shovels to build a BMX track on.
Jason McErlain says
I am wearing my RAD Christmas Sweater I just bought a few weeks ago and everyone at work are loving it. I just came across this site showing the few that never heard of the movie, they were deprived, but now they can watch what we all fell in love with over 30 years ago. Thank you for this site and thanks for the great memories..
Helicoptero Negro Michoacano says
The best Bmx movie in history I love so much,,, I’m 40 years old now,,,and I was 7years when I first watched the movie,,,I still watch the movie over and over again,,love always,,The Black Chopper Chicago style Team
Chad Helvey says
Man this brings back so many great memories. It’s hard to find anywhere to watch the full movie. Thanks for posting this.
Mike says
Best movie ever been searching for it for years. Great BMX movie brings back so many memories
Dickrock says
I heard a Psychobilly band cover “send me an angel” on pandora last week. Immediately this movie came to mind and has been floating around in my head every day since. I watched it again for the first time in over 30 years and it is still just as awesome as when I was a kid. Thank you thank you thank you for putting this up here to watch!
David Tauler says
I was 9 years old when I first saw this film at my friend Brad’s birthday party. I am 42 now and watching this film again was the most viewing fun I can remember having. As an X-Games fan, what these riders accomplished in RAD is not only still phenomenal, it will forever inspire future generations to enjoy the freedom found in BMX. Thank you bmxunion for bringing this immortal classic to us.
Andrea Cole says
Have been looking for a way to watch this movie. Loved it as a kid and now watching it with my 16 year old son. It’s still an amazing movie. Thank you so much for posting this movie!!!!
timmer says
max respect for this sick rip
movie holds up good imo
Sirre "The Sir" Reed says
My all time favorite movie and inspiration to my youth. This movie is the reason I still have a BMX bike at 45years of age. Its just a piece of my soul and when I take it our for a ride, my youth as a kid in a small “hick town” and BMX racing memories come back and reminds me where I came from and inspires me to push my limits.
Kylan says
Best movie in the entire world. It has been my favorite movie my entire life. I have it on VHS but the last two minutes were always cut off. Now I can watch the ending every time! 😂👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍👍👍👍🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 thank you BMX Union for posting this movie!!! You guys rock!!!!
Victor Gonzalez says
This movie was one of my favorite movies when I was young it just took me back to the good all days BMX life
Vanessa H says
Super stoked! I’m always one for the underdog!
Named my first born son Cru ❤️ After Cru Jones.. Stoked this is out ! 👏🏽
Josh says
That’s mad love 👍🏼
Pat Lipovski says
Great movie, great memories. As one of the 3 Canadians involved in the filming and full production of RAD, it was amazing being part of the process of filming this movie. The other two were Kirk Bujumbura (AKA: Captain Kirk, fellow NORCO Freestyle Team Member) and Jeff Ingram (Canadian Pro BMX Racer). Highlight was riding with many other notable names in 1980’s BMX and working with Hal Needham and others from the Hollywood scene. Meeting Mr. Hand (from Fast Times at Ridgemont High) and Talia Shire (from the Rocky series we’re great. Most memorable was Jamie Clarke, Supporting Actor who also climbed Everest after the movie and has so many cool adventures to add to his CV as a RAD main actor.
Here’s to the filming of RAD-2. I am certain that a creative, visionary and RAD supporter of this film from the next generation of BMX’ers will have the vision and desire to film this sequel.
~ Pat
Kevin says
I watched this movie when I was a teenager and have been looking for it for years. Just now finishing it brings back so many memories growing up in such a simpler time. Thank you for posting this movie, it was a real joy watching it.
Ramon says
Good old great movie!!!
Razor Ramon
Mike says
Top 10! or 1! Thanks so much even though I could not do 1% of those moves but we tried!
Steve Jones says
In my top 10 of all time. Used to own it back in the day??
Sylvie says
I remember watching the movie with my siblings. I was a teenager back then, I’m now 41.(lol) I’d watch this movie over and over again. It’s really good.
Louis says
Loved this movie back in my time. Glad to see it again after 30 plus years.