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Back in 1986 times were a little different, there were no cellphones, when there was a group chat it often took place at a mall food court, we watched films on VCRs or in theaters, and BMX bikes were not just something to ride, they were a way of life. So much so, there was even a film that caught the imagination of riders, like yours truly. The film is simply called Rad.
Rad tells the story of Cru Jones (Bill Allen), a small-town BMX rider chasing his dream of competing against the best in the sport and the odds are stacked against him as he faces off against the corporate opposition. The film is a true David and Goliath story packed with real BMX talent and a rebellious underdog spirit. While the film didn’t dominate at the box office initially it went on to build a passionate following it cemented its status as a true cult classic.
Fast forward four decades and while the term rad (short for radical) is not very prevalent, the film has shown it has a rebellious spirit of its own. Unlike many films that have been long forgotten, Rad rides on. As part of the 40th anniversary celebration of the cult classic, fans will once again have the chance to experience the film on the big screen, during special theatrical screenings set for March 22nd and March 24th.
More than just a nostalgic re-release, the anniversary highlights something rare in film: Rad hasn’t just endured, it has grown in meaning across generations, especially in today’s world where corporations have increasingly more power and the little guy is fighting to make an impact.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH BILL ALLEN & EDDIE FIOLA
Awards Radar recently spoke with cast members Bill Allen (Cru Jones) and Eddie Fiola (the film’s stunt rider and BMX icon) about the film’s lasting impact, its connection to fans, and why its message still hits 40 years later. (Full video interview can be watched below.)
For Allen, the milestone isn’t just about longevity, it’s about connection. “I’m very, very, very pleased that something I did in the distant past still reverberates, still is talked about. What we did 40 years ago was very important.”
That connection is something both actors say they see firsthand at fan events, where the film’s impact clearly runs deep. “It’s not just a movie, it is way beyond that. For the people who got that hook really deep, it still resonates.”
Fiola reflected on what made the era and the film so special, pointing to the freedom that defined both BMX culture and childhood in the 1980s. “We were kids… we rode our bikes from point A to point B… our parents had no idea where we were,” said Fiola. We just had to be back when the street lights came on.”
That spirit is part of why meeting fans today can still be such an emotional experience. “They tore pictures out of BMX magazines and stuck them on the wall… and now I’m standing in front of them… they’re meeting their childhood heroes,”shared Fiola.
So why does Rad continue to connect with audiences – especially younger viewers discovering it for the first time? Allen believes it comes down to individuality and rebellion against control. “There’s this line in the sand between the kids in the park and the corporate entities that want to control them and somehow Cru bested them at their own game. That felt really good for audiences,” explained the actor.
It’s a theme that still resonates today, especially in a world where authenticity and independence remain powerful ideas. Perhaps the most powerful sign of Rad’s staying power is how it continues to be shared from parents to kids. Allen sees that firsthand and believes the film still plays a role in inspiring people to get back on two wheels.
“The happiest individuals I meet are the ones who got away from bicycle riding and are now getting back into it. It’s like they’ve rediscovered their youth,” shared Allen.
With renewed interest, new projects in development, and anniversary screenings drawing families back into theaters, Rad is proving that its story isn’t stuck in the past, it’s still in motion.
Both Allen and Fiola are continuing to build on that legacy. Allen is currently developing a new BMX-focused film that aims to showcase the evolution of the sport, while Fiola is preparing to release a documentary about his life and career, Effortless: The Eddie Fiola Story, set to debut on Amazon Prime in April. The doc chronicles the career of the BMX legend and stuntman who helped make the film.
Forty years later, Rad remains more than a cult classic, it’s a shared experience, a spark of confidence, and for many, a reminder of a time when freedom, risk, and individuality defined growing up.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary Rad will be back in over 700 theaters with a new 4K remaster, March 22nd through the 24th. Tickets are on sale through Fathom Entertainment.
Now, a new generation is getting ready to feel that same rush… and that’s just plain rad.
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