Your Favorite "Racing" Related Film

DOSBoot · Post by **DOSBoot** » 14 May 2011, 20:06

We occasionally have movie reviews on this site. So I was curious to know what particular race car related film we like. For me it would be "The Love Bug". Most of the Herbie films are good to watch, but I always like the first one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kgJYMDgDFk

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 14 May 2011, 20:21

All three racing films I own are NASCAR-inspired ones!

Days of Thunder
Talladega Nights
Cars

I have to say I love Days of Thunder, if only because it has Tom Cruise in! What a legend!
Talladega Nights is funny, but a bit overdone, Will Ferrell comedies can sometimes be like that.
Cars is just pretty cool, and feel good!

I'd have to say out of all of them, I think it'd have to be Days of Thunder that would take my pick, after all I only watched it last week!

Faustus · Post by **Faustus** » 14 May 2011, 20:28

AndreaModa wrote:I'd have to say out of all of them, I think it'd have to be Days of Thunder that would take my pick, after all I only watched it last week!

I've lost count of how many times I've watched 'Days of Thunder'. When I engineered a car in the ASCAR series in 2003, we used to watch it every week. We used to quote lines from the film all the time at the track. Very sad, I know. I know pretty much every line of that film.

DOSBoot · Post by **DOSBoot** » 14 May 2011, 20:34

Yeah, it seems that everyone in my hometown seems to like that movie for some reason. I'm not a big Tom Cruise fan, but "Days of Thunder" is a film that I can watch with him in it. I like it mostly because it has Robert Duvall in it, and Robert Duvall is good in anything.

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 14 May 2011, 20:43

Le Mans. Incredible.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 14 May 2011, 21:27

I thought of doing this thread a few weeks ago... when I was nowhere near a computer! Then I forgot. Thanks for doing it, DOSBoot!

I agree with Herbie, the best being The Love Bug and Reloaded. Grand Prix was good, but a bit long. Le Mans the same. Cars is as good as all the other Pixar films - in other words, pretty darn good. Looking forward to Cars 2. And Talladega Nights was amusingly bad in my humble opinion.

But TT3D: Closer to the Edge was breathtaking and I'm expecting the Senna documentary to be on a par. The reviews I've heard so far suggests it will be.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 14 May 2011, 21:36

The old Herbie movies are between my favorites, but my absolute favorite got to be Days of Thunder. I loved that movie when I first saw it. I as a small kid back then and absolutely love everything car related. Later I understood that the movie was, well, let's say not that good, but by then it was too late as it became one cherished item of my infancy. I still see it when I catch it in some obscure movie channel.

DOSBoot · Post by **DOSBoot** » 14 May 2011, 22:22

dr-baker wrote:I thought of doing this thread a few weeks ago... when I was nowhere near a computer! Then I forgot. Thanks for doing it, DOSBoot!

I agree with Herbie, the best being The Love Bug and Reloaded. Grand Prix was good, but a bit long. Le Mans the same. Cars is as good as all the other Pixar films - in other words, pretty darn good. Looking forward to Cars 2. And Talladega Nights was amusingly bad in my humble opinion.

But TT3D: Closer to the Edge was breathtaking and I'm expecting the Senna documentary to be on a par. The reviews I've heard so far suggests it will be.

No problem. I haven't seen Herbie Reloaded, but the first four Herbie movies (The Love Bug, Herbie Rides Again, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, and Herbie Goes Bananas), are classics. Grand Prix has some great race sequences, some of which were captured with Phil Hill behind the wheel. But the film does have some filler here, and there. Le Mans is probably the best race film in terms of realisim, and I think Steve McQueen did a good job of portraying what the average driver goes through in a race. Cars was a fun movie to watch. The story wasn't very original, but the animation, and the voice acting more than made up for it. Strangely, I haven't seen Talladega Nights yet, I'm not what you call a Will Ferrill fan, but I will give the movie a chance when I come around to seeing it. I have yet to see the Senna documentary either, I'm not a Senna fan, but once again, I'll give the film a chance when I see it.

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 14 May 2011, 22:32

Wait wait wait wait wait... Cars as good as other Pixar movies? Not a chance. Compare it to any of Up/Wall-E/Toy Story etc.- it fails imo.

the Masked Lapwing · Post by **the Masked Lapwing** » 15 May 2011, 03:01

shinji wrote:Wait wait wait wait wait... Cars as good as other Pixar movies? Not a chance. Compare it to any of Up/Wall-E/Toy Story etc.- it fails imo.

But it's got talking cars!

Post by **tommykl** » 15 May 2011, 05:34

the Masked Lapwing wrote:
shinji wrote:Wait wait wait wait wait... Cars as good as other Pixar movies? Not a chance. Compare it to any of Up/Wall-E/Toy Story etc.- it fails imo.

But it's got talking cars!

Not to mention copied DVD's English subtitles referring, strangely, to the "Pissed-In Cup".

lindol · Post by **lindol** » 15 May 2011, 06:46

I strongly suggest Speed Merchants, this according to imdb, " The Speed Merchants is the story of the 1972 manufacturer's Championship Series as told by drivers Mario Andretti (Ferrari 312P) and Vic Elford (Alfa Romeo T33TT/3). The film takes you behind the scenes at Daytona, Sebring, the Targa Florio, the Nurburgring, Le Mans and Watkins Glen, focusing on Mario and Vic, as well as Jacky Ickx, Helmut Marko, and Brian Redman. You visit with the drivers at their homes in France, Belgium, Austria and England where they relax with their families between races. Woven into the film is rare footage of both the Ferrari and Alfa Romeo factories where the cars are prepared before each race."

I promise you will see Helmet Marko as a very likable character after seeing this movie and not the evil Red Bull bogeyman that everyone casts him as these days.

mediocre · Post by **mediocre** » 15 May 2011, 10:30

Senna, anyone?

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 15 May 2011, 11:38

mediocre wrote:Senna, anyone?

Briefly mentioned above, inthat we haven't seen it yet but have high expectations of it.

mediocre · Post by **mediocre** » 15 May 2011, 12:06

It's good, really. Worth watching.

Pointrox · Post by **Pointrox** » 15 May 2011, 14:33

'Driven" (2001)
Some people say it sucks - and it apparently is, because with a budget of 72 million its gross revenue was a mere 32 million which is considered a commercial failure. All the critics complained about the "silly plot", "cheap effects" and "an awful depiction of auto racing".
I was watching it as a kid and loved it, but after all those years all the enthusiasm is gone. But I think it's worth mentioning - as a reject movie.

"Michel Vaillant" (2003)
Probably one of the best films with/about Le Mans. Based on a comics series of the same name, it's mostly about the main character and family business, which of course is running a racing team.
I'm not feeling like describing you the whole film, but the fact, that both Vaillant team and their long-time rivals - Leaders - really took part in 2002 Le Mans, is what you should take into account when watching this film.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 15 May 2011, 17:28

Pointrox wrote:"Michel Vaillant" (2003)
Probably one of the best films with/about Le Mans. Based on a comics series of the same name, it's mostly about the main character and family business, which of course is running a racing team.
I'm not feeling like describing you the whole film, but the fact, that both Vaillant team and their long-time rivals - Leaders - really took part in 2002 Le Mans, is what you should take into account when watching this film.

I remember watching this film at the cinema while I was living in Avignon, France between September 2003 and June 2004. It is a great film, but don't think it's available in English. Unless someone can prove me wrong?

f1-gast · Post by **f1-gast** » 15 May 2011, 18:35

Grandprix and Lemans

ADx_Wales · Post by **ADx_Wales** » 15 May 2011, 18:58

Le Mans, the McQueen film, havent seen Valiant therefore i cannot judge, but I've been told its dreadful.

The Original Taxi film, the Besson Inspired Peugeot 406 which "Races" around Marseille.

Truth in 24, if you want to get literal, by NFL FILMS, is one of the best new docs.

nome66 · Post by **nome66** » 15 May 2011, 19:01

senna
LeMans
Gran Prix
plenty others.

Faustus · Post by **Faustus** » 15 May 2011, 19:32

dr-baker wrote:
Pointrox wrote:"Michel Vaillant" (2003)
Probably one of the best films with/about Le Mans. Based on a comics series of the same name, it's mostly about the main character and family business, which of course is running a racing team.
I'm not feeling like describing you the whole film, but the fact, that both Vaillant team and their long-time rivals - Leaders - really took part in 2002 Le Mans, is what you should take into account when watching this film.

I remember watching this film at the cinema while I was living in Avignon, France between September 2003 and June 2004. It is a great film, but don't think it's available in English. Unless someone can prove me wrong?

It is indeed a good film, with some very good sequences, especially the ones shot at the 2002 Le Mans 24 Hours, which are very reminiscent of the race footage from the 1970 Le Mans 24 Hours used in 'Le Mans'.
I used to read the comic albums when I was a kid. Still got most of them at my mother's place.
It was never released in cinemas in the UK. It was available in the UK on DVD for a while, both in the original form with subtitles and dubbed in English. Now you can probably only find it on eBay. I have the 3 disc Belgian edition, but I can't remember if it has English subtitles. The 'Making of' this film was given away on DVD with the official program of the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours (I've got it).

ibsey · Post by **ibsey** » 15 May 2011, 19:42

I'm old skool... so Grand Prix has to be my favourite. I first saw that film around 1995 & the two Ferrari drivers seemed to bear an uncanny resemblance to Berger & Alesi (who drove for Ferrari at the time). Also there was one team owner in the film by the surname of Jordan....& I know what happened to Scott Stodart (the main character), pretty much happened to Jackie Stewart, IIRC in 1967 a year after the film was released (i.e. got injured & came back in either the Dutch or Belgain GP later that year). Spooky!

Loved the French 'Taxi's' films & the car chases in Transporter (done by the same Director Luc Benson) or even Blues Brothers as they were insane. French Connection was also good for car chases.

Bullet, had that wonderful Ford Mustang GT (great sound), but you can't beat Lemans just for the atmosphere at the start of the film. When I first watched it, my heart was thumping the same way, that it does when I watch a GP...no other film has ever done that to me before!!!

Faustus · Post by **Faustus** » 15 May 2011, 19:45

Another few good ones that haven't been mentioned:

'Winning' - some very good footage of Indy and CanAm, and it had Paul Newman - available on DVD;
'The Racing Scene' - documentary about and with James Garner's racing team in 1969, with good footage of sportscars, Formula 5000 and CanAm - sadly unavailable commercially, but I have a nth-generation VHS of an old TV recording on it (must convert that to DVD sometime);
'Le Mans - In the Lap of the Gods', 'Le Mans Chasing the Dream', 'One Hell of a Weekend', 'The Battle of La Sarthe' - all made by the same production company, they're 'fly-on-the-wall' documentaries about the preparations, drama and excitement of several 24 Hours. The first 2 are about Rollcentre, the 3rd is Team Modena and the 4th is Strakka (I'm in the 4th fleetingly a couple of times).

Faustus · Post by **Faustus** » 15 May 2011, 19:47

ADx_Wales wrote:Truth in 24, if you want to get literal, by NFL FILMS, is one of the best new docs.

Awesome documentary, but a complete and utter bastard to find. I know you can find it online in torrent form, but I wanted to buy it. Took me over a year to find it, but I eventually did.

f1-gast · Post by **f1-gast** » 15 May 2011, 20:54

That Vaillant movie was for sale in the freerecords shop in Weert a while ago, will look if it is still there and upload it =)

MigelNansell · Post by **MigelNansell** » 15 May 2011, 21:29

Driven it may be silly and even Bernie was smart enough to say no but its good if your looking for something to tune out to and Days of Thunder now everytime I hear Gimmee Some Lovin I need to go get some ice cream. FInally Talladega nights is great if you want to laugh at sacha baron cohen pretending to be a F1 driver and this site should love it too as he won races in a Minardi.

DOSBoot · Post by **DOSBoot** » 15 May 2011, 23:16

ibsey wrote:Loved the French 'Taxi's' films & the car chases in Transporter (done by the same Director Luc Benson)

I've heard of the "Taxi" films, but I have yet to see them. Just for correction, Luc Besson did not direct "The Transporter". It was directed by Louis Leterrier, and Corey Yuen. Besson did write, and produce the film though. Regardless, "The Transporter" is a cool movie, and one of my favorite action movies.

ibsey · Post by **ibsey** » 15 May 2011, 23:24

DOSBoot wrote:
ibsey wrote:Loved the French 'Taxi's' films & the car chases in Transporter (done by the same Director Luc Benson)

I've heard of the "Taxi" films, but I have yet to see them. Just for correction, Luc Besson did not direct "The Transporter". It was directed by Louis Leterrier, and Corey Yuen. Besson did write, and produce the film though. Regardless, "The Transporter" is a cool movie, and one of my favorite action movies.

Thanks for the correction. If you love "The Transporter" then you just have to watch the "Taxi" films (1-3). They are 1000% better than "The Transporter" as you know that is a big claim. Taxi 2 even has the bonus appearance of an F1 reject!!!

Defiantly some of the very best films ever made (& the soundtrack isn't bad either).

Reverie Planetarian · Post by **Reverie Planetarian** » 15 May 2011, 23:34

Grand Prix. Full stop.

DOSBoot · Post by **DOSBoot** » 16 May 2011, 03:56

ibsey wrote:
DOSBoot wrote:
ibsey wrote:Loved the French 'Taxi's' films & the car chases in Transporter (done by the same Director Luc Benson)

I've heard of the "Taxi" films, but I have yet to see them. Just for correction, Luc Besson did not direct "The Transporter". It was directed by Louis Leterrier, and Corey Yuen. Besson did write, and produce the film though. Regardless, "The Transporter" is a cool movie, and one of my favorite action movies.

Thanks for the correction. If you love "The Transporter" then you just have to watch the "Taxi" films (1-3). They are 1000% better than "The Transporter" as you know that is a big claim. Taxi 2 even has the bonus appearance of an F1 reject!!!

Defiantly some of the very best films ever made (& the soundtrack isn't bad either).

I'll check them out whenever I get the chance. I like Besson's work. "The Professional"(Leon), and "Le Femme Nikita", are always a pleasure to watch.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 16 May 2011, 16:13

Well I've seen the mandatory ones - Grand Prix, Vaillant, Cars, and the not so revered Fast & Furious saga, Driven and The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The first three take the cake.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 16 May 2011, 16:15

Re: Michel Vaillant

Faustus wrote:It was never released in cinemas in the UK. It was available in the UK on DVD for a while, both in the original form with subtitles and dubbed in English. Now you can probably only find it on eBay. I have the 3 disc Belgian edition, but I can't remember if it has English subtitles. The 'Making of' this film was given away on DVD with the official program of the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours (I've got it).

I didn't realise there was an English version available on DVD. I'm going away to see if I can find a copy now, to see how my French comprehension compares!

Post by **tommykl** » 16 May 2011, 17:42

Well, I have all the Michel Vaillant comics (all 70 of them) and I have to say that while the racing is always good, the background stories can get a bit cheesy at times.
The same character was brought to the United States with Heroes on Hot Wheels, which is pretty much a non-Japanese and non-futuristic Speed Racer.

ibsey · Post by **ibsey** » 16 May 2011, 18:12

There's a pretty funny old skool racing film currently on Film 4 (in the UK), called Monte Carlo or Bust. I've only just caught the end of it (the bit when they race on the mountain roads in 1930 cars), but it looks awesome. I'm loving the description on the TV guide as it states, "they race their jaunty jalopies...in this madcap comedy" :lol:

. From the little of it I've seen of it so far, it sums up the film perfectly. Has anyone seen all of this film?

Faustus · Post by **Faustus** » 16 May 2011, 18:21

tommykl wrote:Well, I have all the Michel Vaillant comics (all 70 of them) and I have to say that while the racing is always good, the background stories can get a bit cheesy at times.
The same character was brought to the United States with Heroes on Hot Wheels, which is pretty much a non-Japanese and non-futuristic Speed Racer.

And all of the fictional characters have the same face!
There a few of the Formula 1 that are really cool and that I've probably hundres of times, like 'Les Jeunes Loups', 'La Révolte des rois', 'Le Prince blanc', 'Le Galérien' and 'Steve Warson contre Michel Vaillant'. I know that the older ones have been published again, so I really should start buying them.

Faustus · Post by **Faustus** » 16 May 2011, 18:29

dr-baker wrote:Re: Michel Vaillant

Faustus wrote:It was never released in cinemas in the UK. It was available in the UK on DVD for a while, both in the original form with subtitles and dubbed in English. Now you can probably only find it on eBay. I have the 3 disc Belgian edition, but I can't remember if it has English subtitles. The 'Making of' this film was given away on DVD with the official program of the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours (I've got it).

I didn't realise there was an English version available on DVD. I'm going away to see if I can find a copy now, to see how my French comprehension compares!

This is the one you want. I found a clip of it online and it's not good. Stick to the original in French.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 16 May 2011, 18:30

ibsey wrote:There's a pretty funny old skool racing film currently on Film 4 (in the UK), called Monte Carlo or Bust. I've only just caught the end of it (the bit when they race on the mountain roads in 1930 cars), but it looks awesome. I'm loving the description on the TV guide as it states, "they race their jaunty jalopies...in this madcap comedy" . From the little of it I've seen of it so far, it sums up the film perfectly. Has anyone seen all of this film?

Reading this quickly made me think of the film, "Genevieve." Haven't seen it in years. Perhaps decades. And I've heard of Monte Carlo or Bust, even though I haven't seen it and initially thought you were making reference to a Herbie film.

golic_2004 · Post by **golic_2004** » 16 May 2011, 19:15

I'll give it up to Grand Prix, Le Mans, and Dale.

I would say Senna but I have yet to see it.

watka · Post by **watka** » 16 May 2011, 21:48

Does Rat Race count as a racing movie?

David AGS · Post by **David AGS** » 18 May 2011, 07:45

This is not 100% racing, but a comedy from the 70's, which my Dad used to watch as a kid, and which I watched years ago as a kid myself. I stumbled upon it a while ago and got my very own copy on DVD now.

Called: Watch Out Were Mad

Terence Hill and Bud Spencer are in it. After a car rally where Hill and Spencer are declared equal winners, the both get a buggy each, but one is destroyed by the local mafia. With the duo sharing the same car they go after the mafia and demand a replacement, amongst other things

A few trailers on You Tube if interested. Has you usual 1970's humour etc.