IMDb > Breaking Away (1979)
Breaking Away
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Breaking Away (1979) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 14 | slideshow) Videos (see all 4)
Breaking Away (1979) -- A small-town teen obsessed with the Italian cycling team vies for the affections of a college girl.
Breaking Away (1979) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   8,727 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Steve Tesich (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Breaking Away on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 July 1979 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Somewhere between growing up and settling down... [Australia Theatrical] more
Plot:
A small-town teen obsessed with the Italian cycling team vies for the affections of a college girl. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 9 wins & 9 nominations more
User Comments:
Captures a Moment more (78 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Dennis Christopher ... Dave

Dennis Quaid ... Mike
Daniel Stern ... Cyril

Jackie Earle Haley ... Moocher
Barbara Barrie ... Mom
Paul Dooley ... Dad
Robyn Douglass ... Katherine

Hart Bochner ... Rod
Amy Wright ... Nancy
Peter Maloney ... Doctor

John Ashton ... Mike's Brother
Lisa Shure ... French Girl
Jennifer K. Mickel ... Girl

P.J. Soles ... Suzy (as Pamela Jayne Soles)
David K. Blase ... 500 Race Announcer
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Bambino (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Daniel Stern's film debut. more
Goofs:
Boom mic visible: Visible in the upper corner of a mirror when Dave is talking to his parents in the dining room. more
Quotes:
Suzy: [On the phone] Oh, hi Rod, I just wanted you to know that there's some guy outside with a guitar serenading Kath! more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The 37th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1980) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Overture to 'Barber of Seville' more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
16 out of 16 people found the following comment useful.
Captures a Moment, 1 August 2000
Author: (mashman@mindspring.com) from North Carolina

Do you remember that time in your life when you were no longer a teenager but not yet an adult? That time in your life when, for the very first time, you had to begin to make decisions that could affect the outcome of your life. There is no movie that captures this time, the transition from teenager to adulthood, quite as well as Peter Yates' superb film Breaking Away.

The story takes place in Bloomington, Indiana, (home to Indiana University) one of the bigger college towns in America. It concerns the rivalry between the rich, snobbish college kids and the local townies (called cutters because there fathers cut limestone in the local quarries to build the college, among other things.) The cutters are played superbly by Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern and Jackie Earle Haley. There is not a false note in any of their performances with Quaid and Christopher special stand-outs. It is interesting to note that of the four, only Quaid and Stern went on to bigger and better things.

What really carries this movie though, are the universal themes that everyone can relate to. We can all relate to at least one of the stars, everyone has gone through what they are going through. Most people realize it as one of the more difficult times in their life (as it is for the characters portrayed in the movie.) What carries them through is their friendship with one another, and the support that that gives them. The movie also touches upon family and how hard it is sometimes to communicate with parents, who always (hopefully) love but sometimes just don't understand. Special mention must be made of Paul Dooley (who plays the father of Dennis Christopher), how he did not receive an oscar nomination much less win the coveted statue, for his performance, remains a mystery to this day. Barbara Barrie is also excellent as the mother.

The story follows the cutters as they try to prove to the college kids that they are real human beings, not outcasts to be looked down upon. As one of the cutters is a champion bike rider, the climax of the film and the contest to prove their worthiness, comes down to the Little 500 Bike Race. This is an annual bike race that is still held at IU and is one of the seminal sporting events of the college year (the screenwriter Steve Tesich, who won an oscar for his screenplay, actually won the Little 500). It is the perfect ending for this remarkable and uplifting film.

Praise must be given to everyone involved with the production, there is not a false note throughout the movie. Peter Yates did a superb job of taking relatively unknown actors coupled with tough subject matter and turning it into a minor classic.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (78 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Breaking Away (1979)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
50+ MPH brinstarter
one of the very best nccomet
how did they get invited to the 500? brian-2000
Best Supporting Acress Nominee for the mother?? McHinch
Why would Cinzano permit the use of their name ... jim-finder
Best Picture? dgz78
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
All Quiet on the Western Front Friday Night Lights The Nanny Diaries The Indian Runner Strangers on a Train
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.