First Take: Road - a stellar insight into the Kings of the TT Mountain Couse

SYNOPSIS: Following the motorcycle road racing careers, and fate, of the Dunlop family.

For fans of the Isle of Man TT, there's one family name synonymous with success on that iconic course - over the years, brothers Michael and William, and before them, Joey, have dominated the competition in the only road race to be held entirely on public roads - the ultimate adrenaline fix. This documentary tells the story of the Dunlops, and hot off the heels of the 2014 TT where Michael once again won 4 races in a week (including the Senior), this documentary went out in cinemas with a Q&A event afterwards.

Michael Hewitt and Dermot Laverty have directed and written a 1 hour 42 minute doc that holds no detail back - we get early lives of the brothers, behind the scenes on their respective race weekends, but importantly it tells the story of a family where success, and tragedy, have struck countless times - such is the risk of what they do. Featuring Liam Neeson on voiceover duties, some good cinematography from Mark Garrett, a lovely score from Mark Gordon and Richard Hill, alongside some well picked archive footage, this is a documentary that does its subject matter justice.

Along with interviews with both Michael and William, archival footage of Joey and other members of the wider Dunlop family, we also get talking heads with their peers - including the likes of John McGuinness - as they tell the story of the Dunlops in their own words, all mixed in with unseen footage of key races and moments in all of their careers, both the highs and lows.

THE VERDICT

Road is an insightful look into the Dunlop dynasty, and for fans of the TT - especially those coming into the fold following 2011's Closer to the Edge with profiled the event itself - it is a brilliant look into the world of those who put on the leathers and take on Snaefell.

RATING: 4/5