Motorsport movies

[Mr_Thyroid]

There's a new formula one movie out this weekend - The Art of Racing in the Rain.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478839/

Or it might be a talking dog movie...

I'd never heard of it before but apparently it's based on a popular book. Has anyone seen it, or read the book - what did you think?

From the summary it sounds terrible - not my kind of thing at all - so it also got me wondering if there are any other, weird, lesser known, or only-tangentially-about-motor-racing movies anyone would like to recommend.

[Matt Harper]

I watched "Hurley" on a plane-ride earlier this week. Hurley Haywood is a Brumos/Rothmans Porsche legend and multiple Rolex 24/Le Mans/Sebring winner. It's a very sensitively produced and informative documentary featuring an extraordinary racer.

[coppice]

Racing in the rain is not 'A Formula 1 movie' but , as said , essentially about a talking dog and a master who idolises Senna . Five star review in The Times and on my must see list

[thegreenhell]

Trailer here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp2ufFO4QGg

[entropy]

Un Homme et une Femme - French film, romance, features sportcars and rallying. Classic soundtrack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D43yjI6cles

Winning - Paul Newman relationships drama made in the same era as Le Mans and Grand Prix, focuses on the Indy 500. Didn't really stand out - probably could do with watching again for another impression.

The Racing Scene - documentary following James Garner running a race team. Great footage that captures the US racing scene of the late 60s: Daytona 24hrs, Sebring 12hrs, Formula 5000. Massively under-rated. Has been recommended by Quentin Tarantino! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdiqOEZpR0Y

[coppice]

Racing in the Rain- I saw it yesterday and it suffers from simplistic plot , poor characterisation and plodding pace . But the film -long narration by the hero's dog , voiced by Kevin Costner - is wonderful . Wry , amusing and moving . Not a dry eye in the house at the end. I will say no more .

[Eric Mc]

I have a massive soft spot for 1966's "Grand Prix". Slightly corny plot wise but a wonderful view into the last period of F1 before it got overtaken by commercial and TV interests.

[covboy]

Eric Mc said:

I have a massive soft spot for 1966's "Grand Prix". Slightly corny plot wise but a wonderful view into the last period of F1 before it got overtaken by commercial and TV interests.

Somewhere in the BBC archives there must be a copy of the Whickers World programme that went behindthe scenes of the filming incuding the car in the harbour at Monte Carlo

[Eric Mc]

I remember watching that on TV when it was first shown - one of the earliest "Making of...." documentaries.

[slopes]

The one that i think of every time is Le Mans with Steve McQueen, it sparked my long term love for the 917 and Porsche endurance racers in general.

[stinkyspanner]

There is no racing film as atmospheric as Le Mans. Even though the earliest I went to Le Mans was 1989 with my dad, watching this is so evocative it totally puts me back there

[cuprabob]

I also love "Grand Prix" and "Le Mans" but I've also got a soft spot for "Driven" with Stallone. It's so bad, it's actually good :ROFL:

[coppice]

Le Mans is actually a dreadful film but is redeemed by the racing footage. But , with Bullitt , it is guilty of the beatification of Steve bloody McQueen , the so so actor whom far too many paunchy , middle aged blokes want to emulate . So they buy the branded tat , and respray their car in Gulf livery in a tragic attempt to pull girls who look like Faye Dunaway in The Thomas Crown Affair . And they fail

[Eric Mc]

But the Gulf colours are lovely.

[Ditchfinder General]

Highly recommend Road, the Story of the Dunlop motorcycle road racing dynasty. Narrated by Liam Neeson; even more poignant a film now that William has gone too.