With reports that a new feature film about auto racing is in the works (Ron Howard reportedly set to direct a Formula One picture entitled Rush), one of the sport’s better feature films was released 40 years ago.
Le Mans, though comparatively thin on story, did well in taking us for a ride to feel the intensity of one of the world’s most demanding endurance races, the 24-Hours of Le Mans in France. The event has been held every year since 1923. The race tests the tolerance of the cars and the stamina of the drivers, with usually two (and now three or more) drivers going in shifts of several hours each, the cars competing in various categories.
Steve Mc Queen, portrays American Michael Delaney who competes despite driving under extraordinary pressure, because the year before he caused a severe accident, in which his friend Lisa’s husband was killed.
Despite the circumstances he’s operating under, McQueen’s character is perhaps best summed up by a line he utters-
“Racing’s important to men who do it well. When you’re racing, it’s life. Anything that happens before or after…is just waiting.”
In 1965 the producers of “Grand Prix” had originally wanted Steve McQueen to star in it, but the deal fell through. It went on to win several academy awards for sound and editing.
McQueen, a racing buff, was intent on getting some of the best racing sequences on film.
With “Le Mans” he largely succeeds. Doing a lot of the driving himself, McQueen’s film took a different approach presenting the story in a more documentary style than Grand Prix.
All these years later both hold up well and remain among the best movies of their kind.
