A Sunday in Hell (1976)

The film follows the French Paris-Roubaix spring classic, notorious for the hellish paves or cobbled roads of the north "which are no longer used for traffic but only for transporting cattle - and for cycle races". We are there from the dawn preparations and rituals on the outskirts of Paris and through the rigours of the race with special focus on a number of prominent cyclists to the final outcome on the Roubaix cycle track - followed by the filthy riders taking their showers. There is also an eye for life among the spectators and the media event as such. The film alternates among different kinds of shot with a view to establishing the most suitable view of the narrative: shots from motorcycles, which are able to convey the motion of the race and provide close ups of the riders in the style of television cycle race reporting; fixed cameras stationed at strategically important points along the route, where viewers can watch riders passing in real time and thus gain a clear overview of the distance between the leaders and the main field: and the Olympian eye of the helicopter shots.

[@Hubrisgoat]

As narrated by my dad, David Saunders. Nice to hear his voice after so long. RIP dad x

[@Hubrisgoat]

***** thank you John, that's nice to hear.

[@thefatman58]

Hubrisgoat What a great voice!!!!

[@Hubrisgoat]

Mark Abdon yes Mark, he did have a great voice. He was both BBC's and ITV's cycling commentator and of course covered the Tour De France until his (untimely) death in 1978.. Thanks for your comment :)

[@thefatman58]

Hubrisgoat I watched this documentary more to hear him then watch it...... Im sorry for your loss. I lost my Dad in 78 as well it still hurts....... Thanks again!

[@Hubrisgoat]

Mark Abdon Well how about that Mark, a strange coincidence. Yep, it still hurts.

[@ZENmud]

Eric Loder was a domestique for Eddy Merckx in the Seventies, and runs or ran a bike shop in Genève, Suisse. I bought a Bernard Hinault "Lord Mega" from him in November 1997, and still ride it...

[@hunterhemingway3477]

I love how slow and composed these docs are. No unnecessary voice overs, or talking heads,. Just life as it was.

[@Ikewuche]

i come back every single year in the first days of april to revisit this absolute gem, the perfect warmup for Roubaix

[@thomasandersen1784]

From the most passionate cykling fan and journalist of all time, the unforgettably Jørgen leth, which later became one of the most famous commentator of cykling. At least, he is a legende in DK, and far beyond. He has a way to think and see a race, like no others. He kind of tells it as it plays out, in a very delight and passionated way, like reading up from a great novel or poem. He´s just like that in real life too. No compromises, and a deep love for the beauty of races. Peace and love from Denmark

[@kentvonseverin1257]

Your fathers narration is part of why this is such an important and iconic film.

[@BernardVictor]

What a fantastic film. I am 89 and have only just discovered it. I was riding, badly, in the 50's and there doesn't seem much change in technology. No helmets, wireless or meters. Just flat out racing.

[@misterarthur]

I love this era of bicycle racing. No team radios, no power meters. Great competitors slugging it out. A terrific film.

[@Neezabja]

Armstrong, Ulrich, Pantani for me. Alien like attacks, braking on the climbs just can't beat raw EPO power!

[@EntropyOCD]

Also no doping and no carbon fiber. This was a golden time.

[@robertlund5694]

@@EntropyOCD synthetic amphetamines from the end of ww2 onwards, read a book or two.

[@ian3893]

@@robertlund5694 completely true….

[@liam9196]

@@EntropyOCD >No doping. Lol what?

[@leradicideglialberi]

FANTASTIC! Best years for bikes, so nice. Great to see Merckx talking italian so well!

[@stefanpedersen1915]

The man behind this epic documentary, Jørgen Leth, now 78 years old, is still commentator on the danish television, and he covers all the stages in Tour de France and the Paris-Roubaix. It's absolutely fantastic!

[@prebenzacho2521]

Not anymore, from 2019 he is no longer part of the TdF and spring classic cover by TV2

[@HRkapitan]

@@prebenzacho2521 Hes dead

[@OurWorldIsBroken]

Dave Allen Jørgen Leth is not dead, where did u hear that?

[@SvendSeegert]

@@OurWorldIsBroken _ He is alive and well. :-)

[@OurWorldIsBroken]

@@SvendSeegert Yes that is what I wrote, no need to repeat it :)

[@1977JJT]

The part (about 16.32) when the Molteni team are riding to the start is spellbinding. The music, the gliding along by a lake, the light, all of it. Magical.

[@prebenzacho2521]

Best cycling documentary EVER. Hands down!!! Too bad the producer is not mentioned here, you should pay respect to Jørgen Leth, who produced this stunning documentary, simply a masterpiece of cycling!!!

[@JonathonMallalieu]

Whenever I’m feeling down the mouth I watch this, one of the greatest documentaries ever:)

[@crommie9939]

Roger de Vlaeminck his son plays football with me, so nice to see this!

[@albertocontador2911]

The most beautiful cycling documentary of all time 😃😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😙😙😗😗😗😘😘😘😘😍

[@GuyRWood]

Have you seen the stars and the water carriers? That's an epic cycling film.

[@misterarthur]

By the same director

[@cooperloo27]

That was fantastic! My first watch. ❤️

[@ironman1518.]

YES!!

[@FrancesMarriott]

I think it's time I said thanks to Mr Fixie, since I've been watching this each year now, as Paris-Roubaix approaches, for I don't know how long. It says above that you posted it 9 years ago, but I'm sure it's been up much longer. Anyway, thank you for making this wonderful piece of film-making available.

[@neilanderson1997]

The old cine film quality, the audio where you can hear the mechanical sound of the bike drive train and wheels, such an amazing time machine to visit that era. Sound track and commentary, a priceless documentary. 👏👏

[@Peterskovtvermoes]

This film was created by the famous Danish cycling enthusiast, writer and film maker Jørgen Leth. He is an extraordinary person and film maker. Notably two of his films are for cycling fans (or film fans in general). A Sunday In Hell and Stars And Water Carriers. Both films are true gems. Btw Jørgen Leth is now 86 years old. He lives in Copenhagen and is doing well.

[@rauljimenez1418]

Second time I watch this film. Sometimes we worry too much about having the latest hi-tech bike but the important thing is that we love what we do, be cycling or any other thing. These old bikes still have something special about them, maybe because they were handcrafted. Nice to get familiar with the great riders of that time👏

[@adiedove6272]

Thanks for sharing this Classic piece of cycling history. I was a 11 year old juvenile cyclist in South Africa, when this race was run and these guys where my heroes.

[@Ferreal92]

No other TV program, movie, or documentary has motivated me to keep riding and keep fit like this has.

[@wimvanlaethem1816]

Those were the Days...Most heroic cycling race in the world... All our heroes in this great, epic movie... I was 6 in 1976 but i still honour those Heroes... As a Belgian it was easy...We could pick them out. Eddy Merckx, Roger De Vlaeminck, Freddy Maertens, Walter Godefroot... And Marc Demeyere, the underdog, who wins at the velodrome in Roubaix in 1976... What a great documentary ! That makes Paris-Roubaix o so special and heroic... We all hope that another Belgian will win on Sunday. Wout van Aert would fit as a modest Flemish Paris-Roubaix-winner... But an underdog is also ok...Long live cycling !

[@stuart7247]

A Wagnerian choir singing L'enfer du Nord - how cool is that!! Great film - it totally captures the epic, biblical atmosphere of the race. I had a taste of this stuff in 1977 when I spent the spring and early summer racing in Flanders. I stayed at Mrs Deene's place in Zomergem - my room mate had a box of needles, glass ampules and pills. I managed to keep my hands out of the pharmaceutical cookie jar and got my ass kicked in most of the races. Apart from that I had a wonderful time!!...L'enfer du Nord!! Thanks for the download Fixie!!

[@ralphc1405]

Hi nice story. If you were in contention you HAD to take dope. It was just part of the process. Amazing how people just learned about Pharma help when Lance got crucified ONLY because he was at the top of the sport. Question: In the late 70s up to the late 80s did most riders use 32 or 36 spokes? Straight gauge or double butted? 2x or 3x spoke pattern? I would like to know!

[@neilfurby555]

Quite wonderful, captures the real essence of the race...a superb treasure of cycling history.

[@reggiedog100]

A great film, beautifully mad and narrated. A gem. I love the choir. Now I think I'll go out for a ride!

[@christgoethals6364]

At 58 years of age I finally discover this movie. Cycling history shown at its best. Hell of a ride. My thanks to the makers and cyclists.

[@arjengnodde349]

Just awesome! Every thing about this is so good. The race, the riders, the documentary, the narrating. Absolutely classic. The winner Marc DeMeyer died an early death in 1982, heart attack.

[@ELA1ization]

Its april 13 2019 and its the evening before Paris-Roubaix. Which means that A Sunday in Hell is on my TV, as it is every year. Im gonna go with my boy Kasper Asgreen to win it all this year! Good luck and good race to all of you

[@Mswayward]

Hubrisgoat, Your dad lives on. This is one of the greatest cycling videos of all time. Although you have to give the cyclists of this era the credit, your fathers contribution helps make this video special. I've watched it numerous times. As an American racing in the 80's it was very rare to get a good look at European style bicycle racing, this was the first video I owned and it had a big impact on me.

[@Hubrisgoat]

+Max Smart Thank you Max, I only just saw your comment, I really appreciate your kind words.

[@prebenzacho2521]

You should also pay respect to the producer of this fantastic documentary. David Saunders is doing an absolute stunning voice over for this documentary, I simply love it. But people tend to forget the producer, Jørgen Leth, who should also be credited here. I find it sad that he is not even mentioned in the description. :)

[@tinyadventuresbybike9796]

@@prebenzacho2521 yeah and its a film not a video...copyright :Jørgen Leth

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

The guy cleaning the chain at the start is like a young Harvey Keitel! Eddie Merckx is like the Elvis of cycling! Great film! Thanks for posting!

[@ricric9521]

Nah looks like Roman Polankski

[@bradhartwig9124]

@@ricric9521 nah, I didn't see his arms around any preteen girls.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

@@ricric9521 Don't tell him that...lol

[@starblazers01]

Such a romantic video on cycling; one of my favorites. Thx for sharing.

[@mildandbitter]

The coolest riders and jerseys and the most beautiful bikes.

[@flyyinryan]

Thank you for keeping this epic movie alive. This was a staple of inspiration when I used to race. Thank you!

[@tviile3015]

I Will allways love Jørgen Leth for this movie... love you Jørgen Leth ❤️❤️❤️🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰 #ritterforlife

[@Vezzo55]

A Classic Cycling Film.....I watched it often before a group ride....Very Inspirational ...Excellent narration

[@freeganjustin6699]

The most stylish period for racing cycles. Recent enough for quality engineering and finish, long ago enough to avoid the straighter forks, clipless pedals and indexed gears. Lovely things to ride.

[@savagepro9060]

19:43 Raymond Poulidor, Mathieu van der Poel's late grandfather

[@mildandbitter]

Best cycle racing film ever, from the golden age!

[@xavcarmic0686]

Thanks for uploading this fantastic doco Mr Fixie.

[@huangwangmedia3981]

That first shot through the town - those riders are motoring! Beautiful film. The year my own cycle racing interest peaked.

[@chapmyers9272]

The chainstays in the opening scene.

[@anthonylivelli5880]

David Saunders Made this movie really great Thank you

[@papaquonis]

Jørgen Leth made this movie. Saunders narrated it in English.

[@waynester71]

Not watched this in years, but after watching stage 9 of the TdF yesterday..on the cobbles, I had to watch it again. Epic stage yesterday, and a win for John Degenkolb!

[@joeposadas320]

Thanks for posting an amazing history of cycling Paris-Roubaix. love the old classic racing.

[@heymarjorie1]

Love this. Amazing to know that this race remains one "hellvua" race. In great humble admiration. Thank you riders. :)

[@millermountain2]

That was a brilliant sports documentary! Love the narrator, also love the music.

[@Massproduce201]

I was born a decade after this doc was shot but I always come back to it. It’s just an amazing documentary beautifully shot and narrated.

[@atlantikav5902]

Beautiful, captures the very essence of the Paris-Roubaix and our beautiful sport of cycling. Maybe I am wrong, but when I was racing in the 70’s, 80’s, cycling was a much more exotic and a romantic sport than it is today with awesome respect, this superb film certainly shows this.

[@ralphc1405]

Question: Did most of the riders use 32 or 36 spokes? Straight gauge or double butted? 2x or 3x spoke pattern? 1970s-late 1980s. I would like to know!

[@jonathan19947]

Love this video. I'm a huge snob when it comes to vintage racing chain derailleur driven bicycles. Love them.....

[@Blog4Justice]

Beautiful film, beautifully narrated.

[@alexcarter8807]

Thanks for uploading this! This is one classic cycling film I hadn't seen yet.

[@MAN1UAL2]

Thanks very much for uploading the movie! I watched it three years ago before KZbin took it down and I've been looking for it ever since. Needless to say; An awesome documentary indeed!

[@neilanderson1997]

The wall paper in that cafe though.. 🤔😜

[@tinmachine693]

A classic mid seventies design

[@3mac67]

this movie has always rated up in my top 5 of cycling movies.

[@christophappert3047]

Loree McKinney: agree, it is a great movie - wonder what the other 4 movies are

[@MechaUsagi]

What are the other four?

[@TheParachute9]

"It isn't far to 'HELL NOW' and the main field starts to accelerate." Classic commentating, and an awesome picture painted as the break away heads for the cobbles, brilliant commentating shear brilliance.

[@luisrosano3510]

I love cycling of all times. This in particular were epic.Thank you for share.

[@Scooterandthebees]

Mr Fixie - many thanks for this - and if you are the bloke I knew in Farningham hope you are well and still out there!

[@uberkloden]

Eddy and De Vlaemink, badasses!

[@220773]

Marc Demeyer bless his soul. And... good commentary by both yer dad and Adriano De Zan, right at the finish in Roubaix. Bless their souls.

[@menomossomusic]

I'm so glad someone finally put this on KZbin. Before you had to see it on a strange website that kicked you off after 45 minutes. Thanks!

[@humidor3]

Such a classic! Beautiful piece of work.

[@zozik7]

I am so not going to wake up for work but this was immensely enjoyable. Thank you for this

[@eworldtraveler]

Eddy Mercxk looks like he could bust out "SLAVE TO LOVE" at any moment with his street costume on .

[@justDave3453]

Such a beautiful film. The opening scenes are so evocative for me - I’ve lost count of the number of times I have watched this!

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

This is the soul of cycling.

[@fayezalle43]

Thanks for uploading this film..

[@mattygee5000]

One bike for all season.. No helmets, goggles or team busses to hide in/behind. Cycling's golden age.

[@SheepDog1974]

Perhaps a glass of wine French Bordeaux the extent of the doping for this era

[@PIERRE-VERVILLE]

@@SheepDog1974 lol

[@BikeItUK]

Nice to watch, great piece of cycling history captured for future generations to hopefully appreciate and enjoy. Keep it real with steal, such beautiful bicycles thanks for sharing all the best Andy

[@Marcel-ib1wp]

Time to restore a Benotto

[@fabiancandelario3014]

how could you dislike this film? awesomeness!

[@titan90000]

I haven't seen this in years. Still a classic, thanks for posting!

[@kareyriggs1018]

1971 summer in New Orleans Betat Bros. Bike Shop I bought a new Puegeot PX-10 and toured the city.Metarie,Long Bridge,City Park, magic

[@TheOliogs]

I remember first watching this as a naive teenage racing cyclist in the mid 90's, convinced I would one day ride this race. Reality bit, but to live is to dream.

[@thomaswildman7375]

So you formed East17 instead?

[@jjjj4261]

I also trained wrong.had a training book 4 Rennŕäder,but had a mountain bike and raced mtb CC, than DH.trained tho much Grundlage a 16 year old mtb racer ....

[@jjjj4261]

+JJ JJ 40er ruhepuls, how old was he at this moment?

[@carythompson1147]

haha. this movie also inspired me to take up racing. no regrets! never a dull moment.

[@nealbeard1]

You can smell the Gitanes.

[@ianlaker9161]

This makes me wish I still had my 80s Woodrup road bike equipped with Reynolds 531c frame tubes and Campagnolo Nouvo Record throughout. Mind you, the tiny 6 speed freewheel was a killer!

[@kaspernon]

Nice to hear how the original danish speaker is translated 100% correctly.

[@josepmaria4310]

OMG inncredible documentary !!! The best vid that i see after one month at home in quarantine .

[@kaltonian]

brilliant, thanks you for putting this up

[@Toastybear1]

what an excellent film/ documentary, modern film makers could learn a lot!! find me a modern documentary in english that has lots and lots of unsubtitled french and no music, love it!! :D thank you so much for uploading :)

[@arklat]

Love the "slippery Road Ahead" sign, @37:15. Very Euro!

[@lucafurlan2919]

Lovely listening talking in Italian too. Such a beautiful language 😮😊

[@BenDoverII]

Great to watch while in quarantine!!! Good stuff...

[@MrEdlgar]

Epic film. Thank You!

[@petelavin4425]

great film this about the paris-Roubaix classic race

[@daddoesstuff123]

Fascinating, thanks for uploading.

[@sampeterson9209]

This is great. It is two of my biggest interests, cycling and labor issues

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

This was wonderful. What a great time capsule.

[@PhilipGauci]

Amazing film on professional cycling as it was back in the 70's. Wish I'd kept my Steel racer with the Reynolds 531 frame.

[@Bikebikebikecba]

Shall we see Paris-Roubaix? That seems great! Let me put on my suit and let's go! XD

[@PhilippPeters]

What a epic documentary!

[@marclayne9261]

Best bicycle documentary ever..i was 21.....at University......

[@XxXGhostXxX417]

This is an epic movie, I have it on DVD.

[@johnstidworthy3370]

Right, time to shave legs, start smoking again, grow massive moustache and polish me toeclips.

[@pauldd7577]

very enjoyable thanks

[@Tempiobru]

NICE DOCUMENTARY, THANKS FOR SHARING !!!

[@ian3893]

This was a special era, still got my racing machine & the kit from the last team I raced for…

[@racefaceec90]

the section at about 13:20 is very dreamlike with the early morning mist and the music playing.

[@rcdogmanduh4440]

Love the caravan making sure the dust is thick and choking!

[@richardcoreno]

There is inspirational art -- while riding through hell.

[@nicechappie]

The whole thing was a healthy and safety nightmare... including the wallpaper in that cafe... i miss the 70's

[@jazzfusioner9840]

well-spotted....that wallpaper......

[@zzhughesd]

Jazz Fusioner what time cafe scene thanks

[@jezztech]

Fantastic portrayal & observation of events, could have been written by Ernest Hemingway!

[@jessyjess001]

Superbe vraiment superbe merci 🙏