Won’t Back Down – The Steve Peat Documentary – Review

Won’t Back Down is the story of Steve Peat, told through the lenses of Clay Porter and John Lawlor. Is it worth getting?

Yes. Quite simply, if you’ve ever ridden a bike off road, this film is for you. I take that back, even if you haven’t ever seen a bike ride downhill you need to watch this.

Won’t Back Down charts the career of Steve Peat. Few people have given half what he has to mountain biking, and it is one hell of a story. Clay Porter mixes archive footage with interviews from many of those who have been their along the way, and manages to captivate all comers for nearly two hours. Even though I knew what was going to happen at all the races shown, the drama and emotions are brought flooding back using slick editing and a spellbinding soundtrack, much of it composed specially for the film.

The film winds the clock back to the very early days and also includes the emotive story of Jason McRoy, one of the riders who had such a massive influence on Steve including interviews with Jason’s father. From there it the living legend that is Shaun Palmer has some words of wisdom… “no drug compares to that feeling of being the best in the world…. I’ve taken a lot of drugs”.

This film will appeal to anyone who has even a passing interest in the sport of mountain biking, or who likes a a well told story. It was enjoyed by people who knew most of the story, some of it and none of it. It’s very telling that it broke into the top five downloads on iTunes alongside “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Without a doubt the best mountain bike documentary I have ever seen.

Download Won’t Back Down on iTunes // Won’t Back Down Website