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I have to put Le Mans at the top. Great race action.
Second I'd have to put Ford vs. Ferrari
Third I'd put Rush
What do you think? Do you know more great race car movies?
Thanks,
John
Something along those lines, yes. When I watched Ford vs Ferrari, my heart was racing during the car scenes. That does not happen often when I watch a movie.
As far as bits and pieces go, the opening to The Road Warrior, the Lotus chase scene in The Spy Who Loved Me, and the tunnel chase in THX1138.
“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”
IMHO for sheer spectacle James Garner's 1966 Grand Prix has far-and-away some of the most exciting racing footage ever put on film. I'd put Ford vs. Ferrari and Le Mans 2nd and 3rd...with the latter actually having slightly-better racing scenes, but much more soap-opera (albeit high-octane) melodrama than the well-told Ken Miles story...of whom I must confess I am a devoted life-long fan.
Honorable mention to Talladega Nights: The Story of Ricky Bobby.
Greg
George Lewis:
Real GAs far as bits and pieces go, the opening to The Road Warrior, the Lotus chase scene in The Spy Who Loved Me, and the tunnel chase in THX1138.
Well strictly speaking, 'chases' are different from 'races'...but since you brought it up, let's not forget what are perhaps the two most iconic (and sphincter-tightening) car-chase sequences in movie history: Bullitt and The French Connection.
I would add that, whether race or chase, they really need to be experienced on the big screen in a darkened theater. Even the biggest-screen TV doesn't do them justice.
I hadn't seen Grand Prix. Watching now and loving the open wheel cars!
Grand Prix is at the top. There are some good scenes in "A Man and a Woman".
Bill
Modeling is an excuse to buy books.
To Please a Lady
The Racers
LeMans
Don Stauffer in Minnesota
I saw Grand Prix at the Martin Cinerama in St. Louis when it came out. It just took my breath away. This was when Redline 7000 was the best you could get in a racing movie.
I saw Winning with Paul Newman in the theater also. A good movie that launched the stunning racing career of Newman.
Saw Le Mans at a theater in Atlanta when it came out. A good racing movie because superfluous storyline and dialog were left out.
Ford vs. Ferrari. Good racing and good character development.
Days of Thunder gets mentioned only for the amount of money spent on such a colossal movie blunder.
The best/greatest racing movie has yet to be made though.
OK. In the stash: Way too much to build in one lifetime...
Talladega Nights; The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Grand Prix has spectacular footage. There are scenes that capture the drivers feet while driving at speed. Very cool. The greatest car racing film I have ever seen is Senna. The documentary on Brazilian ace Aryton Senna. The onboard footage at Monaco is just amazing. It perfectly captures the epic battle between Senna and Prost. The film is just brilliant. Watch it and thank me later.
It's not a racing movie, but, it is a car movie. I really really like the re-make of Gone in 60 seconds. Yeah, the acting isn't great, but, and don't tell my wife, I've had a secret love affair with Eleanor ever since!
Bruce
On the bench: 1/48 Eduard MiG-21MF
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What list could be complete without Speed Racer? Trixie was super hot and they had ninjas in the movie. My young son was big into this movie.
In all seriousness, I kinda enjoyed the Ricky Bobby movie.
But my favorite has to be Cars.
Ford V Ferrari is probably the best so far in that it was based on a true and interesting story (Blaine's book "Go Like Hell" that the movie is based on is even better). The "Leo Beebe was the villain" storyline was a little overwrought and unnecessary, the real story was more complicated and more interesting.
Here's two more interesting and true stories that would make really great auto racing movies IMO:
"Black Noon" - fascinating true story behind the tragic 1964 Indy 500, best car racing book ever.
"Nuvolari" - GP racing in the '30's, Alfa Romeo, Enzo Ferrari, Auto Unions, Silver Arrows Mercs, Ferdinand Porsche, Musolinni, Hitler,....With actual cars and CGI and a decent script based on history and a good cast, it could be a visual masterpiece similar to TITANIC.
The '55 LeMans crash is in there in the true stories list. But tough to tell.
For me it's
Le Mans
Ford Vs Ferrari
Grand Prix
Driven
Rush
Gumball rally, not a traditional racing movie.
It might only count tangentially for your thread, but "The Great Race" is an excellent car race movie, too. All-Star performances, all around.
Best regards,
Brad
The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.
For my for action it's1. "Turbo"2. "Cars"3. "Cars 2"4. "Ford vs Ferrari"
Steve
Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.
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While all of those already mentioned deserve credit, I think there are some others listed below that are worthy too:
- Heart Like a Wheel (Shirley MulDowney, drag racing)
- Herbie (VW Bug, Disney)
- Fast and Furious (2001, first one)
- McLaren (movie documentary of Bruce McLaren; driver and cars)
- Cannon Ball Run (first version)
- Vanishing Point (original)
- World's Fastest Indian (Indian motorcycle salt flats racing)
IMHO
"Everyones the normal until you get to know them" (Unknown)
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For me, if it's "pure racing" then Grand Prix, LeMans, Rush,and Ford vs Ferrari. For movies with great car scenes then American Graffitti 1 & 2, The Hollwood Knights, Gone in 60 Seconds, Bullitt, and Dirty Mary,Crazy Larry.
TJS
One that goes unnoticed by most car folks, but still has one of the best all time car chases is "To live and die in LA". Hands down easily in the top 5 all time car scenes. Most car folks have never heard of the movie. Well worth it to see that chase.
BK
On the bench:
A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!
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There was a great old Abbot and Costello movie that I forget the name of. The pair are running from police. They run into a race track featuring a midget car race, and costello climbs into a midget. The push truck then immediately pushes him off and he accidently starts the car. Of course it gets wildly out of control and the results are hilarious.
jrb53Hey Don, we're showing our age here! That movie is "Buck Privates Come Home" a 1947 A&C flick. Jack
Yes, that's it!
Ford Vrs. Ferrari
I like ALL the movies mentioned here, but "BEN HUR", in the chariot scenes rates right up there for an adrenalin rush.
Yeah, not a car movie, but close enough for me. LOVED IT. Still do!!!
Phil. 4:6-7 Jer. 29:11-14 John 3:13
On the bench - Hand made '50 Lincoln "Tail dragger" 1956 DeSoto 'vert., Resin '60 Chrysler 300 , Modelhaus resin '58 Pontiac hardtop kit.
Been a "Plastholic" all my life. Love this stuff.
I'll add a documentary that I thoroughly enjoy every time I watch it. "Super Speedway" is an IMAX film directed by Stephen Lowe and narrated by Paul Newman. It follows the development of the Newman-Haas team's new Lola indy car for the season while also chronicling the restoration of an early Indy roadster that Mario drove. In my opinion some of the best in car footage and best in car audio ever created. It is available on Blu-ray and streaming platforms. If you happen to have a home theater setup CRANK IT UP
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Speedway
Gil
Two lane blacktop
The original gone in 60 seconds
The original vanishing point
Gumball rally
Ford v Ferrari
Cannonball run ( the first one, with Burt Renolds
Bullit
The French connection
I realise that half of these are more about car chases than racing... but the car "action" is what keeps me watching.
Dont worry about the thumbprint, paint it Rust , and call it "Battle Damage"
Nobody has mentioned 'Days of Thunder'. The NASCAR movie with Tom Cruise.
Amused that a sudden change to a lower gear going at that speed in the movie did not result in the car's gearbox exploding.
Bugatti Fan Nobody has mentioned 'Days of Thunder'. The NASCAR movie with Tom Cruise. Amused that a sudden change to a lower gear going at that speed in the movie did not result in the car's gearbox exploding.
Maybe because the topic was "best race car movie" and no one thought it was the best?
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