1 Man's Dream -
NOW ON DVD (JUST RELEASED)
The Britten Bike Story
Motorcycle enthusiasts the world
over have always talked of designing the ultimate
“Super” bike. New Zealander John Britten
did more than talk about it. He went ahead and
built it – at home and by hand!
This DVD is his amazing true story, from his backyard
workshop to the screaming action of Daytona and
the Isle of Man TT races. It is the legend of
the man from 'Down Under' who dared to challenge
the might and wisdom of the world's great motorcycle
production factories, and capture a nation's imagination
en route.
It's also the tale of a revolutionary bike - the
Britten V1000 - that confounded critics and took
the motorcycle world by storm. You'll see Alan
Cathcart track-testing the bike at Zolder, Joey
Dunlop on the Britten, actual land-speed record
runs, plus on-bike footage. Behind-the-scenes
and out on the track, it's all captured here in
this compulsive video.
This DVD features amazing new never-before-seen
footage, taking you right into the world of the
Britten team. You'll see...Alan Cathcart- track
testing at Zolder... Joey Dunlop on the Britten...actual
landspeed record runs...on-bike pencilcam footage.
The original film has been remastered,
and there is additional, never seen before footage
included as special features on the disc.
Photo Slideshow
Interview with the Filmmaker
Promo
Onboard Camera Ruapuna
Onboard Camera Isle of Man
Running time: 96 minutes
Format: All regions
Ben Ruffell, producer of
the DVD, has added the following note:
"The original film was made by my Dad Harry
Ruffell about his good school friend John. Harry
was passionate about telling John's story, and
the original film has been well received worldwide.
Unfortunately shortly after John's death Dad suffered
a severe stroke. He has been unable to work since.
I took on the project and updated the ending of
the film and re-mastered where possible. I also
added in the Special Features - all of which have
previously not been released. All of the proceeds
of the the DVD sale are going towards covering
Harry's living and medical costs. The film was
made with the complete blessing and support of
the Britten family. We are all close friends.
There are a few parts of the film where it is
difficult to hear the audio. We have done everything
possible to improve the audio and make it the
best it can possibly be.
The film was made over 15 years ago. It was recorded
on professional Beta SP and MII tape. These were
the industry standard tapes of the time. We went
back through all of these original tapes as well
as the various masters that have been made over
the years. Many of the tapes have deteriorated
to such a poor quality that they simply will not
play. They have fallen to pieces. These tapes
were promoted with a lifespan of 50 years, and
it simply is not true. In the Broadcast Industry
this is fast becoming a major worldwide problem.
All over the world important recordings are being
lost.
We spent significant time and money doing everything
we could to improve on the audio, and remaster
where possible. The areas where you are having
trouble hearing are where we had to use a previously
mixed down edit, as there were no originals available.
We outsourced to one of the top sound designers
in Sydney. This is the best that they were able
to do. It is a great shame that this is the quality
that we are stuck with, and even sadder that this
is the best quality of these images and sound
that we are ever going to see. It's an old film
with old sound.
I do believe that if I had not undertaken the
restoration of the film, that in another 10 years
all of the footage would have been lost. For good."
Apologies for the price hike
from £15.99 but carriage charges and import
duties have forced this on us.