Product Description

Bonnie Bedelia — in the triumphant performance that earned her a Golden Globe® nomination as Best Actress — stars as Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney, the young wife and mother who defied the sport of drag racing to become the only female top fuel champion in NHRA® history. But before she could reach the record books, Shirley had to survive an abusive first marriage, her volatile love affair with fellow racer Connie Kalitta (Beau Bridges of THE KILLING TIME and NORMA RAE), a horrific accident, and a sexist world that tried to stand in the way of one remarkable woman who dared to put her heart on the line. Anthony Edwards of ER co-stars in this Deluxe 25th Anniversary Edition of the film Newsweek called "one of the best American movies of the year," now packed with all-new Bonus Materials featuring racing legends Shirley Muldowney, Don Garlits, Connie Kalitta and much more!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10362 in DVD
• Brand: Team Marketing
• Released on: 2006-08-15
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Special Edition, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 113 minutes

Features

• Officially Licensed
• Highest Quality Recording

Amazon.com
In the 1950s, Shirley Muldowney (Bonnie Bedelia, Presumed Innocent) was a young mother with a jones for motor sports. Waitressing, however, was how she earned her keep. By the 1960s, Muldowney had ditched the day job for full-time racing. Then in 1977, she won the National Hot Rod Association world championship--and not for the first time. Directed by Jonathan Kaplan (The Accused), Heart Like a Wheel traces the trailblazer's path from Schenectady housewife to "The First Lady of Racing." Along the way, her marriage to mechanic Jack Muldowney (Leo Rossi) hits the skids, but she finds new love with (married) driver Connie "The Bounty Hunter" Kalitta (Beau Bridges in a performance as boisterous as it is sweet). He helps her to become the first woman licensed by the NHRA to drive a Top Fuel dragster, but son John (Anthony Edwards) proves to be more trustworthy. Extras for this special edition include commentary from Kaplan and the featurette Shirley Muldowney: Behind the Wheel, which combines film clips, archival footage, and interviews with technical advisor Tommy Ivo, drivers Kalitta and "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, and "Cha Cha" herself. Feisty as ever, Muldowney admits that she wanted Jamie Lee Curtis for the role and that Bedelia, who garnered a Golden Globe nomination, could be "difficult." Kaplan, meanwhile, who would go on to direct Edwards on E.R., claims he's a real-life racing fan. As he puts it, the Top Gun actor really does have "the need for speed." --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

A historically impacting drama
This little gem of a movie has inspired so many people to achieve their goals in life. Everyone has seen this movie but no one wants to admit that they have watched it over ten times. A notorious time filler for HBO in the early 80's, Heart Like a Wheel is an epic drama with major historical impact. I raise a glass to you Shirley and may your heart and wheel spin as one.

Heart Like a Wheel
Simply put, this move rocks. If you are or ever have been a fan of drag racing this movie should appeal to you.

Excellent Movie
This is a movie that I could watch over and over again. (Still waiting for the DVD version) The story is touching and poignant. It is inspiring for all women who have felt that ceiling that stops us from succeeding and shining in life. Also to be noted...look for a very young ER star as Bonnie Bedelia's son.