Director Douglas Mackinnon tells the remarkable story of The Flying Scotsman's global success, and how EIFF helped make it possible.

It’s been an incredible journey for The Flying Scotsman since its World Premiere at EIFF 2006, and director Douglas Mackinnon believes the Film Festival played a big role in the film’s worldwide success.

“It was an extraordinary turn of events. [Former Artistic Director] Shane Danielsen was the first person in the world to see the film, on the last day of screenings for the 2006 Film Festival,” Mackinnon recalls. “His immediate reaction was to give it a Gala screening or make it the Closing Night Film.”

In the end EIFF staff were so enamoured with the remarkable biopic of record-breaking cyclist Graeme Obree that it was given the prestigious opening slot at the 2006 Film Festival. Mackinnon couldn’t have been happier.

“We turned down a couple of other big Festivals and chose Edinburgh, which was the best decision. I come from the Highlands and Edinburgh was always the biggest and most important Film Festival in the world for me, and still remains so.”

With a star-studded EIFF Opening Night Gala, Mackinnon’s directorial career got off to a flyer.

“The Festival certainly changed the destiny of the film,” Mackinnon says. “If it hadn’t been for the World Premiere at Edinburgh then I’m absolutely sure MGM wouldn’t have taken it on.”

The deal with MGM ensured distribution in North America, where the film garnered rave reviews from critics. The Chicago Sun-Times called Jonny Lee Miller’s performance as Obree ‘a revelation’ and the film itself ‘remarkable’.

It’s a triumph for any British movie to gain theatrical distribution in the US, but for a low budget Scottish film to achieve this is nothing short of remarkable. The stateside success story doesn't end there.

“It’s been on sale on DVD in America since September 18th and has so far taken $2.5 million, which is incredible for a little film,” reveals Mackinnon. “If The Flying Scotsman can achieve that kind of success in the States then there’s hope that it can go on to achieve it around the world.”

The DVD went on sale in the UK on November 5th, Mackinnon won’t have to wait long to see if British sales can surpass his expectations. A year on from its EIFF World Premiere, The Flying Scotsman’s extraordinary journey is certainly far from over.

The Flying Scotsman was released to buy and rent on DVD on 5th November from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Colan Mehaffey