The rerelease of this film in 2006—the 40th anniversary—was something I stumbled upon at my local library earlier this year. It is much more than a film; it’s like a historical artefact and I almost missed out on acquiring it. Thankfully, Cinema 1 (http://www.cinema1.ca) is a terrific video store and were able to get one via the U.S. (Canadian distributers dropped it just a few months ago, it seems). Blue-ray only, please.
Many of the 1960’s Formula 1 drivers actually drove in the film. A few of them were dead before the end of the decade. Sir Jackie Stewart drove throughout much of the film in his signature tartan-banded helmet for Scott Stoddard (actor Brian Bedford). James Garner did all of his own driving and was, in fact, an excellent driver. He participated in a lot of professional and semi-professional races in the following years.
The locations were genuine and much racing footage was shot on the cars at speeds over 150mph. My favourite sequence is the opening race at the Monaco Grand Prix: on location and just hours before the actual race of 1966. The cameras were left in place for the race and the movie helicopter spent hours buzzing the track and crowds for the overhead shots.
Director John Frankenheimer not only gave the world a glimpse into Formula 1 racing of the day, but also a taste of life imitating art. Stoddard’s accident in the film and his subsequent comeback in the same year is eerily similar to Niki Lauda’s fiery crash and his comeback in the 1976 season. Lauda’s accident and his rivalry with James Hunt became the basis for Ron Howard’s film “Rush”. Two complementary films, to be certain.
The summation is this: a film of the scope of “Grand Prix” with the top drivers and cars of the day playing for the cameras will never happen again. One of the most legendary drivers of all time—Jim Clark—was killed in a minor race less than two years after the film was released. Austrian driver Jochin Rindt was killed in practice for the Italian Grand Prix of 1970 and has been the only Formula 1 driver to be posthumously given the driver’s championship. It’s more than a film, it’s history.
spicyflier 