LOS ANGELES — The cult BMX film Rad is back on the big screen this Sunday and Tuesday, courtesy of Fathom Entertainment. First released in 1986, the movie starred Bill Allen as teen rider Cru Jones, but much of the daring bike work came from professional freestyle BMX legend Eddie Fiola.
Behind the Stunts
Allen, now 63, admitted his on-bike scenes were limited. “There was little bike riding that I had to do,” he said. Fiola, 61, stepped in for the dangerous stunts, often hidden under Cru’s helmet.
Fiola revealed how director Hal Needham and stunt coordinator Pat Romano made the action look more extreme than it was. For example, plywood was laid over lumber piles to make log-riding possible, and ramps were curved to soften landings. “The hard part was making it look hard,” Fiola explained.
Helltrack and Movie Magic
The film’s climactic Helltrack race offered $100,000 and a Corvette. Fiola wasn’t a racer, so competitors slowed down to make him appear faster. Even the infamous Cliffhanger jump was modified to prevent wipeouts.
Some stunts went wrong. Fiola overshot a lake jump, forcing a reshoot, while a newspaper route trick scattered papers everywhere. Allen himself suffered a head injury off-camera after hitting the wrong brake.
Real Crashes, Real Risks
Not all spills were staged. Fiola recalled, “When I crashed during the qualifying race and I fall into the oncoming traffic, that’s real.” Only Mike Miranda’s Helltrack fall was choreographed.
Allen took his acting role seriously, portraying BMX riders’ struggles and dreams. He drew inspiration from contemporaries like George Clooney and Brandon Lee. “What they didn’t show was all the hospital time and casts,” he said.
Legacy Beyond Rad
After Rad, Fiola transitioned into Hollywood stunt work, appearing in films like Spider-Man 3 and The Bourne Legacy. He said professional stunt work was easier than BMX: “To do stunts where they’re actually telling you when and where to fall, that is so much easier.”
Allen has embraced his role as the face of Rad, attending re-releases and fan events. He is also attached to a new BMX film slated for 2028. “I’m going to be playing the old guy who teaches the young guy,” he teased, promising Easter eggs for longtime fans.
Nearly 40 years later, Rad continues to inspire audiences, blending BMX thrills with Hollywood storytelling — and reminding fans of the risks and rewards behind every stunt.
