Of all the classic films I truly wish I could experience in a theater, 1966’s Grand Prix ranks very high on the list. It’s not a masterpiece or a personal favorite, and with the exception of a specific faction of fans, maybe even calling it a classic is a stretch.
But from a purely cinematic standpoint, seeing it on the big screen would be a blast. More specifically, seeing it in 65mm Cinerama on a curved screen, the way audiences enjoyed it nearly 60 years ago. Fat chance of that today.
Grand Prix is an epic melodrama about the lives and loves of four Formula 1 drivers during a single season, but these days, almost no ongoing discussion or appreciation of the film involves the actual plot. What makes the film memorable are the racing sequences, which thankfully, comprise about a third of its three hour running time. That's why it continues to be held in very high regard by motorporn enthusiasts.
Director John Frankenheimer has made better movies, especially during the ‘60s, but as far as technical achievements go, Grand Prix is his magnum opus. Not only are the groundbreaking racing sequences brilliantly shot & edited to create an immersive experience, they really haven’t been topped since (though 1971’s Le Mans came close). And don’t you dare counter with Days of Thunder.
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| Hopelessly lost. |
Not only that, these sequences are authentic. Over the years, countless motorsports authorities - from drivers to historians - have concurred that Grand Prix’s racing scenes are among the most accurate and realistic ever created. Some of those same experts attest to this in the disc’s bonus features…all of which are about the movie’s action or Formula 1 history itself. Nobody interviewed - not even co-stars James Garner and Eva Marie Saint - discusses the fluff in between.
Well, maybe fluff is too strong a word. I guess those subplots are necessary for us to invest in these characters (however slightly). And admittedly, it’s pretty fun seeing Garner play a guy who isn’t particularly likable. The soapier aspects (such as Saint & Yves Montand’s romantic affair) are sometimes an endurance test, but our patience is more than rewarded when the drama takes a backseat to the driving.
But alas, I’ll probably never get to experience Grand Prix they way God intended. The next best thing is this Blu-ray, which features a nice digital transfer, with better overall video quality and sound (DTS-HD Master Audio) than the original DVD. The aforementioned bonus features are also very interesting, though none were created specifically for this particular release. Since the movie is unlikely to ever be a Fathom event or show up at your local revival house, this’ll have to do.
This is a re-issue of a Blu-ray first released in 2011.
EXTRA KIBBLES
FEATURETTES - Pushing the Limit: The Making of Grand Prix; Flat Out: Formula 1 in the Sixties; The Style and Sound of Speed; Brands Hatch: Behind the Checkered Flag; Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions.
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