Breaking Away (1979) — Screenplay
A small-town teen's obsession with Italian cycling and culture drives him to compete against a college team, testing his friendships and identity.
- Written by
- Steve Tesich
- Genre
- Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sport
- Studio
- Twentieth Century Studios
- Length
- 110 pages
Tesich's script shines in its character work, balancing four distinct voices with natural, witty dialogue. The leisurely first act builds a rich world of working-class frustrations and dreams, setting up a nuanced exploration of class and aspiration that pays off in the film's iconic race. A masterclass in tone, shifting effortlessly from comedy to heartfelt drama.
Read the full Breaking Away (1979) screenplay in PDF, page by page, right here on Laper — or download the original script to study Steve Tesich’s scene work, dialogue and structure at your own pace. A free resource for screenwriters and film students learning Hollywood script format.