Twenty-five years ago, Canadian Rick Hansen inspired the world with this Man in Motion tour. For two years, he circled the globe raising awareness and money for spinal cord research. Today, a piece of that journey hits the big screen.
The movie, Heart of a Dragon, chronicles Hansen's journey through China, where more than a million people lined the streets to give him a hero's welcome.
It also depicts his effort, and struggles, to ride up the Great Wall.
Director Michael French told CTV News the film celebrates one of Canada's greatest heroes conquering the biggest hurdle of his life.
French, who shot the movie in six weeks in China in 2006, says the backdrop of the Great Wall is pivotal to the film.
"Those few days on the Wall encompassed perhaps the most important aspect of why Rick went around the world. It was about friendship, love, commitment and determination and that's why we made the movie in China and that's why we made it on the Great Wall."
Actress Sarah-Jane Potts, who plays physiotherapist Amanda Reid, whom Hansen later marries, said Reid gave the wheelchair-bound hero the strength he needed to complete his arduous journey.
"Had it not been for Amanda I don't think the tour could have been continued because she was so passionate and driven and caring and kind and she never stopped 24/7," Potts told CTV News.
"She took complete responsibility of Rick and his mind and health and heart. That's the strongest woman I've ever had the privilege of reading about and had the privilege to play."
Superstar music producer David Foster, who co-wrote Hansen's theme song St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion), is one of the film's executive producers.
The film opens in select theatres in B.C. Friday.
