This remains the greatest motorcycle film ever made, decades later. It captures the skill, dedication, bravery and spirit of the racers so well that you come away with an ever greater admiration for them and their sport. Beyond the racing, On Any Sunday accurately captures what it is to love motorcycling, and to find yourself among friends that share the tremendous pleasure of riding these 'bikes.
The final section featuring Malcolm Smith, Mert Lawwill, and Steve McQueen is probably one of my all time favorite 15 minutes in film; watching McQueen larking about and racing back to his bike each time he crashes it, I am convinced he'd say it was the most enjoyable fifteen minutes of film he ever made too.
These days we are bombarded with cut-cut-cut edited 'jump videos' that usually have loud rock tracks and all look the same. They're spectacular at first, but hard on the eyes and you'll watch em once maybe twice.
On Any Sunday is best captured in a single word: authentic. It doesn't need punchy editing to hide the gaps or improve it, it just floats above the rest, and always will.
For motorcyclists, petrolheads, racers, and McQueen fans it's a must, but everyone else loves this movie too.
Buy it don't rent it; you'll watch it over and over.