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Aug 13, 2023

Ewan McGregor Narrates Motorcycle History Doc Speed Is Expensive in New Trailer

Ewan McGregor tells the story behind the most expensive buy in the history of motorcycles. Actor and motorcycle enthusiast Ewan McGregor narrates the story of the most expensive buy in the history of

Ewan McGregor tells the story behind the most expensive buy in the history of motorcycles.

Actor and motorcycle enthusiast Ewan McGregor narrates the story of the most expensive buy in the history of motorcycles in the trailer for Speed is Expensive, an acclaimed documentary coming out on digital on September 26, following its LA premiere on September 20. Back in 2018, the world of motorbike collectors changed forever when an Australian collector bought a Vincent Black Lightning for $1.2 million. But Speed is Expensive not only centers on this legendary purchase, but the man behind the famous motorbike.

During the 1940 and 1950s, Vincent Motorcycles broke several records, with Philip Vincent being one of the first men ever to use a strategy known as "guerrilla marketing", putting his company forward as a sponsor for street racers under the radar, in order to promote his own brand. But Vincent's obsession with speed led to him spending his final years with no money and living in a public house.

Star Wars alum Ewan McGregor, who is a motorcycle aficionado, narrates the documentary, which also includes testimonies from TV host Jay Leno; artist, musician and motorcyclist Paul Simonon from acclaimed band The Clash; and the final interview of world champion John Surtees, who passed away in 2017.

Director David Lancaster shared some emotional words while announcing the premiere of the film:

"It is wonderful to be able to bring the film to North America with Virgil Films. Over the past years we’ve crossed the globe, from the USA to Australia, to film the world’s most expensive, exciting and beautiful motorcycles and talk to Philip Vincent’s family and remaining colleagues in order to bring Vincent’s story to the screen."

Jay Leno also had some extremely positive comments on the documentary:

"It looks great: moving footage of Philip Vincent really brings the story alive – loved it!"

Check out the official trailer for Speed is Expensive below courtesy of Vimeo:

Related: 8 Underrated Ewan McGregor Movies That Deserve More Love

This isn't the first time that McGregor has participated on a documentary about motorcycles. In 2004, he produced and starred along with Charlie Boorman in Long Way Up, a docuseries centered on his journey across Europe, Asia, Alaska, Canada and New York riding a motorcycle.

In 2007, Long Way Down was released, with the pair going from Scotland to Africa, finishing their trip in Cape Town. Finally, in 2020 they took another documented trip from Ushuaia in Argentina to Los Angeles, crossing almost every country in Latin America in a second part of Long Way Up. This time, the documentary premiered on Apple TV+, where it is currently available to watch.

This isn't also the first time he lends his voice to narrate a documentary either. He's been part of projects like Jerusalem: City of Faith and Fury, Highlands: Scotland's Wild Heart, and The Polar Bears of Churchill with Ewan McGregor, among others.

McGregor is known for playing the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the second Star Wars trilogy and the 2022 series, although he has been acting from a young age and starred in some other acclaimed movies such as Transpotting, Black Hawk Down, Big Fish, Moulin Rouge, or the acclaimed sequel for The Shining, Doctor Sleep.

Geek, movie and tv lover.