For those of us who grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the 1986 movie ‘Rad’ holds a special place in our hearts. Loosely based on the real-life story of freestyle BMX racer and stuntman Mat Hoffman, the movie follows the young, rebellious Cru Jones as he navigates the world of BMX racing, and ultimately, competes at the Helltrack competition. For many of us, the movie was a source of inspiration and adventure, and the iconic soundtrack only added to the movie’s charm. But where was the movie actually filmed?
The movie was filmed in two main locations. The first was in and around the town of Medford, Oregon. The town itself served as the backdrop for the fictional town of Hawk’s Nest, and many key scenes in the movie were filmed there. The second location was at the old Portland Velodrome, a now-closed BMX track located in Portland, Oregon. The track served as the backdrop for some of the most iconic scenes in the movie, including the Helltrack competition.
The old Portland Velodrome was actually built in the early ‘80s, and was one of the first BMX tracks in the United States. It was owned and operated by the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association, and was home to some of the most competitive BMX racers in the country. The track was featured in several major BMX magazines and was a favorite among professional BMX riders.
The track was also used for the filming of the movie, and many of the key scenes from the movie were shot there. The Helltrack competition, Cru’s race against the local bully, and even the iconic “race of the century” scene were all filmed at the track. The old Portland Velodrome was a favorite of the cast and crew, and even though the track was closed in the late ‘80s, it remains an iconic part of the movie’s legacy.
The movie was also shot in other parts of Oregon, including the town of Roseburg and other nearby locations. Some of the scenes, including the opening and closing scenes of the movie, were shot in the nearby town of Eugene. The movie also had a few scenes that were filmed in California, including the scene where Cru visits his friend at college.
Why Was 'Rad' Filmed in Oregon?
The main reason why the movie was filmed in Oregon was due to the availability of the old Portland Velodrome. The track was one of the only BMX tracks in the country at the time, and the filmmakers knew they wouldn’t be able to find a better location to film the iconic Helltrack competition scene. The filmmakers also chose Oregon because of its stunning scenery. The area around Medford and Roseburg is known for its beautiful landscapes, and the filmmakers wanted to take advantage of that.
The filmmakers also knew that the area had a large population of BMX riders, and that it would be easy to find talented riders to appear in the movie. The old Portland Velodrome was a popular spot for BMX riders, and the filmmakers were able to find a lot of talent in the local BMX community. The filmmakers even recruited Mat Hoffman, who was a real-life BMX racer, to make an appearance in the movie.
What Was the Iconic 'Rad' Soundtrack?
The iconic soundtrack of ‘Rad’ is hard to forget. It featured a mix of classic rock, punk, and new wave music, and was a perfect fit for the movie. The soundtrack featured songs from bands such as The Replacements, The B-52’s, The Cars, and The Go-Go’s. The movie also featured songs from performers such as Cyndi Lauper, Eddie Money, and The Bangles. The soundtrack was a perfect accompaniment to the movie and its themes of rebellion and adventure.
What Was the Cast of 'Rad' Like?
The cast of ‘Rad’ was a mix of up-and-coming actors and professional BMX racers. The main character, Cru Jones, was played by Bill Allen, who had previously appeared in films such as ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ and ‘The Legend of Billie Jean’. The movie also featured real-life BMX racers such as Mat Hoffman, Eddie Fiola, and Mike Dominguez. The movie also featured Talia Shire, who had previously appeared in films such as ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Rocky’. The cast of ‘Rad’ was a perfect mix of actors and athletes, and the movie was a hit with fans of both genres.
FAQs
Where was the movie 'Rad' filmed?
The movie was filmed in two main locations. The first was in and around the town of Medford, Oregon. The town served as the backdrop for the fictional town of Hawk’s Nest. The second location was at the old Portland Velodrome, a now-closed BMX track located in Portland, Oregon. The track was used for many of the iconic scenes in the movie, including the Helltrack competition.
Why was 'Rad' filmed in Oregon?
The main reason why the movie was filmed in Oregon was due to the availability of the old Portland Velodrome. The track was one of the only BMX tracks in the country at the time, and the filmmakers knew they wouldn’t be able to find a better location to film the iconic Helltrack competition scene. The filmmakers also chose Oregon because of its stunning scenery. The area around Medford and Roseburg is known for its beautiful landscapes, and the filmmakers wanted to take advantage of that.
What was the iconic 'Rad' soundtrack?
The iconic soundtrack of ‘Rad’ featured a mix of classic rock, punk, and new wave music, and was a perfect fit for the movie. The soundtrack featured songs from bands such as The Replacements, The B-52’s, The Cars, and The Go-Go’s. The movie also featured songs from performers such as Cyndi Lauper, Eddie Money, and The Bangles. The soundtrack was a perfect accompaniment to the movie and its themes of rebellion and adventure.
Who was in the cast of 'Rad'?
The cast of ‘Rad’ was a mix of up-and-coming actors and professional BMX racers. The main character, Cru Jones, was played by Bill Allen. The movie also featured real-life BMX racers such as Mat Hoffman, Eddie Fiola, and Mike Dominguez. The movie also featured Talia Shire, who had previously appeared in films such as ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Rocky’.
What was the plot of 'Rad'?
The plot of ‘Rad’ follows the young, rebellious Cru Jones as he navigates the world of BMX racing, and ultimately, competes at the Helltrack competition. The movie follows Cru’s journey as he learns to ride, overcomes obstacles, and ultimately, faces off against his rival in the Helltrack competition. The movie also features a subplot involving Cru’s love interest, which adds to the movie’s charm.
What is the movie 'Rad' about?
The movie ‘Rad’ is about a young, rebellious BMX racer named Cru Jones. The movie follows Cru’s journey as he navigates the world of BMX racing and ultimately, competes at the Helltrack competition. The movie also features a subplot involving Cru’s love interest, which adds to the movie’s charm.
When was the movie 'Rad' released?
The movie ‘Rad’ was released in 1986. It was a hit with fans of BMX racing and was a huge success at the box office.
Who wrote 'Rad'?
The movie ‘Rad’ was written by Hal Barwood and Matthew Robbins. It was directed by Hal Needham.
What awards did 'Rad' win?
The movie ‘Rad’ was nominated for Best Music at the 1986 MTV Movie Awards, but it did not win. It did, however, receive a Saturn Award nomination for Best Music, and it was also named one of the best films of 1986 by Rolling Stone magazine.
Did 'Rad' receive any critical acclaim?
The movie ‘Rad’ received mostly positive reviews from critics. Many praised the movie’s energy and enthusiasm, as well as its