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Harley and the Davidsons
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Entertaining docudrama about America's famous motorcycle.
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Harley and the Davidsons
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What's the Story?
Inspired by actual events, HARLEY AND THE DAVIDSONS is a docudrama about the creation of the Harley-Davidson empire. In 1901, Wisconsin draftsman and engineering student Bill Harley (Robert Aramayo), along with childhood friends Walter and Arthur Davidson (Michiel Huisman and Bug Hall, respectively), develops a motorized bicycle designed to be ridden by the average citizen. From then on they must risk their money, reputations, and even their lives to build a successful company. From impressing potential investors with their bike's speed during dangerous bike races, to supplying troops with fast transportation during the Great War, they used talent, hard work, street smarts, and ingenuity to build what is now America's most iconic motorcycle.
Is It Any Good?
This miniseries offers an entertaining account of the beginnings of American motorcycle culture. It successfully weaves the history of the Harley Davidson bike and the company, with partly imagined personal stories of three of its co-founders. But the life of the fourth co-founder, older brother William Davidson (played by Daniel Coonan), isn't fully fleshed out, leaving a gap in the narrative.
Nonetheless, history buffs will appreciate how HARLEY AND THE DAVIDSONS articulates the way modern invention and global events contribute to the practical and cultural role Harley Davidson has played in the U.S. for more than a century. Motorcycle lovers will enjoy the chronicling of the bike's original enhancements, including the V-Twin engine, a chain drive, and the step starter. But regardless of why you tune in, what you'll find is a story that celebrates the spirit of American entrepreneurship.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about different inventions that have had a major impact on our lives, like in Harley And The Davidsons. Do you think inventors like William Harley and the Davidson brothers could really foresee the potential ways their creations would change the United States when they started to build them?
Many TV series and films change some of the facts or events surrounding historical figures or events to make the narratives more entertaining for audiences. Is this appropriate? When does the story goes from being historical to fictional?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 5, 2016
- On DVD or streaming: December 13, 2016
- Cast: Robert Aramayo , Michiel Huisman , Bug Hall
- Directors: Stephen Kay , Ciaran Donnelly
- Studio: Discovery Channel
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- Run time: 246 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 26, 2022
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