VIDEO: Rare 1974 Knievel Twin Falls Footage Released For Film
Anyone who grew up in the Magic Valley in the past 50 years is aware of the special event that took place on a September afternoon in 1974 in Twin Falls, Idaho. The greatest stunt performer to ever strap a helmet on attempted to jump the Snake River Canyon in front of a massive televised audience.
On September 8, 1974, stuntman Evel Knievel skyrocketed off a Twin Falls jump site in an attempt to clear a section of the Snake River Canyon and land on the Jerome County side. The stunt failed, and Knievel sustained non-life-threatening injuries including a broken nose. The jump site is still intact to this day and is a popular tourist attraction just outside of town.
Plenty of area residents either remember the hoopla from that day, or have seen archival footage of the failed jump attempt. A documentary of the stunt called Evel Knievel: The True Story is now available for all to watch. The film includes some rare, 8mm footage shot that afternoon that was recently shared on YouTube on December 10, 2021.
The footage, as one would imagine, is very grainy and appears to have been shot by a crew member or someone that had access not given to the average person. It shows the preparations being put into the jump just moments before Knievel took flight.
People that wish to learn more about the jump can take a walk along a path near the Twin Falls Visitor Center and see a memorial to the man and the famous stunt. You'll be able to catch a glimpse of the actual dirt mound used in the 1974 stunt while walking the path as well.