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Special Features
5 Roaringly In-Depth Featurettes:
Pushing the Limit: The Making of Grand Prix
Flat Out: Formula One in the Sixties
The Style and Sound of Speed
Brands Hatch: Chasing the Checkered Flag
Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions
Theatrical Trailer
Pushing the Limit: The Making of Grand Prix
Flat Out: Formula One in the Sixties
The Style and Sound of Speed
Brands Hatch: Chasing the Checkered Flag
Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions
Theatrical Trailer
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Light on story, this 1966 spectacle directed by John Frankenheimer was shot in 70 millimeter, with a cinematically enthralling emphasis on unique, visceral new ways of capturing the sensations of a car race. James Garner, Eva Marie Saint, Yves Montand, and Toshiro Mifune are part of the stellar, international cast whose characters plod through assorted relationship and business conflicts. But the film's real hook is the thrilling and inventive means by which Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate) brings an urgency to the drama happening on the racetrack. A true master of the plastic techniques of obtaining and cutting kinetic footage, Frankenheimer offers more than a joyride to viewers: he makes action part of the compelling language of stories. Cameras are strapped to vehicles as they round the track, shots are taken from a helicopter, the screen is split between angles for maximum impact--even if Grand Prix doesn't rank among the director's best character-driven stories, it is certainly driven on its own terms. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
Formula I drivers compete to be the best in this slam-you-into-the-driver’s seat tale of speed, spectacle and intertwined personal lives. John Frankenheimer (who 32 years later would again stomp the pedal to the metal for the car chases of Ronin) directs this winner of 3 Academy Awards,* crafting split-screen images to capture the overlapping drama and orchestrating you-are-there POV camerawork to intensify the hard-driving thrills. Nearly 30 top drivers take part in the excitement. Buckle up to race with the best.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
55 of 56 people found the following review helpful
By Steve R.
Format:VHS Tape
"Grand Prix" is the finest racing movie ever produced. The story involves the pursuit of the Formula 1 World Championship by four men: Jean-Pierre Sarti (Yves Montand), an aging former champion who grows weary from the acute physical demands of the sport and team politics; Nino Barlini (Antonio Sabato), a brash, fearless young lion; Scott Stoddard (Brian Bedford), a man broken in body yet driven to match the legacy of his deceased brother; and Pete Aron (James Garner), a stoic, pragmatic American fighting to restore a faltering career. The Ferrari Team Manager comments during the film, "Everyone wants to win...there is no distinction in that." What distinguishes these four men from others is the sheer force of will each exhibits to overcome his personal demons and to achieve his final destiny.
The drama unfolds amidst many of the great racing circuits of Europe...the narrow, twisting streets of Monte Carlo; the rain-slickened expanse of Spa; and the tortuous, high, concrete banks of Monza. John Frankenheimer's inventive split-screen imaging and on-board cameras put you inside the cockpit where you sense the raw power and road-pounding vibrations from these sleek racing machines. You are at once deafened by the high-pitched whine of superbly tuned engines as they roar off the starting grid...and then mesmerized by Maurice Jarre's soft, eloquent musical score set to compelling visual images of cars rising, falling, and turning through the racing circuit in a ballet of speed, grace, and beauty. I agree with an earlier review that DVD would materially enhance the appeal of this production and I sincerely hope DVD will be forthcoming. Regardless, "Grand Prix" will forever serve as the quintessential racing movie.
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By M. Tyler
Format:DVD
Although racing films in general have never enjoyed overwhelming commercial success Grand Prix stands alone as the best racing film of all time!
The storyline isn't brilliant by any means and there are a few `unexplained' bloopers such as Jean Pierre Sarte's mysterious helmet change from one race to the next - which was due to John Surtees leaving the Ferrari team at mid-season and signing with Cooper for a bit before eventually signing with Honda - but if you're a diehard Formula 1 fan this film is a true blessing.
I already own the Laser disc and still own one of the original programs that were sold at the movie theaters and I have been waiting for this film to come out on DVD for ages, simply in the hopes of viewing the treasure-trove of behind-the-scenes footage.
Although the film did not receive the critical success many felt it deserved the historic importance of this film should not be underestimated because it's the only clear color film footage available anywhere in the world where you can see; Graham Hill, Jack Brabham, Jimmy Clark, Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, Richie Ginther, Jochen Rindt, Bruce McLaren, Maurice Trintignant, Mike Parkes, Joakim Bonnier, Lorenzon Bandini, Chris Amon, Guy Ligier and even the great Juan Manuel Fangio together on the big screen and in their crowning glory. - Be sure to watch closely during the Spa Francorchamps drivers meeting when Jochen Rindt playfully reaches out and trips Graham Hill (aka `Bob Turner') as he's trying to step past Rindt.
For fans and students of cinematography the camera angles and the technology invented to achieve many of those angles are a testament to the ground-breaking achievements that underscore the unique and visionary genius of John Frankenheimer. And of course there's a wonderful cast of outstanding actors including the great Toshiro Mifune, Brian Bedford, Yves Montand, Antonio Sabato, and of course, James Garner who was inspired by his role in the film and went on to enjoy moderate success as an amateur racer.
Grand Prix is a must have for every motorsports fan and required study for any cinematography student who someday dreams of shooting a film with cars of any type, let alone racing!
The storyline isn't brilliant by any means and there are a few `unexplained' bloopers such as Jean Pierre Sarte's mysterious helmet change from one race to the next - which was due to John Surtees leaving the Ferrari team at mid-season and signing with Cooper for a bit before eventually signing with Honda - but if you're a diehard Formula 1 fan this film is a true blessing.
I already own the Laser disc and still own one of the original programs that were sold at the movie theaters and I have been waiting for this film to come out on DVD for ages, simply in the hopes of viewing the treasure-trove of behind-the-scenes footage.
Although the film did not receive the critical success many felt it deserved the historic importance of this film should not be underestimated because it's the only clear color film footage available anywhere in the world where you can see; Graham Hill, Jack Brabham, Jimmy Clark, Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, Richie Ginther, Jochen Rindt, Bruce McLaren, Maurice Trintignant, Mike Parkes, Joakim Bonnier, Lorenzon Bandini, Chris Amon, Guy Ligier and even the great Juan Manuel Fangio together on the big screen and in their crowning glory. - Be sure to watch closely during the Spa Francorchamps drivers meeting when Jochen Rindt playfully reaches out and trips Graham Hill (aka `Bob Turner') as he's trying to step past Rindt.
For fans and students of cinematography the camera angles and the technology invented to achieve many of those angles are a testament to the ground-breaking achievements that underscore the unique and visionary genius of John Frankenheimer. And of course there's a wonderful cast of outstanding actors including the great Toshiro Mifune, Brian Bedford, Yves Montand, Antonio Sabato, and of course, James Garner who was inspired by his role in the film and went on to enjoy moderate success as an amateur racer.
Grand Prix is a must have for every motorsports fan and required study for any cinematography student who someday dreams of shooting a film with cars of any type, let alone racing!
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
John Frankenheimer broke new ground when he filmed "Grand Prix", putting cameras on single-seater cars and thus creating some of the most amazing footage ever shot of cars from that era. The movie is on the light side as far as the story development goes, and while James Garner is very convincing as an American grand prix ace, one has a harder time buying this sort of act from Yves Montand who plays the aging Ferrari driver. Eva Marie Saint is cast as a magazine journalist following the grand prix circus around Europe, trying to get a story - a storyline that was recently successfully resurrected in "Driven". Her lovestory with Montand is not exactly hot, but the highly dramatic race action in Monte Carlo, Spa, and Monza (they still used the famous banking of the autodromo in those days!)more than makes up for that. The film features cameo appearances of some of the era's greatest drivers like Graham Hill. Letter-boxed on a larger screen is the only decent way to completely enjoy the breath-taking cinematography of this classic.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
I had been looking for this for some time and spent a couple of days after it's arrival watching all the Discs through. Fabulous and I am glad to have found it.
Published 2 days ago by Camille Svenson
5.0 out of 5 stars
if you are into motor sport this is a must have
this is the greatest and most authentic motor sport movie ever made.
i doubt it will ever be bettered due to the crass commercialism of motor sport today
i doubt it will ever be bettered due to the crass commercialism of motor sport today
Published 6 days ago by graham chalmers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grand Prix is an excellent film from just about all aspects!
Firstly, although this movie is super-brilliant, unless you are interested in Formula 1 racing in the 1960's - with a running time of over 3 hours - Grand Prix could be a... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Charles Southworth
4.0 out of 5 stars
great driving scenes
Plot is kind of ho-hum, but amazing cars, driving scenes and shots of 1970's Europe make this movie well worth watching. Even has a cameo appearance by Graham Hill.
Published 20 days ago by Herb Hunter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Retro Racing
I loved this movie when it first came out at the Cinerama theater...for the racing, of course, and not for the love stories. Read more
Published 22 days ago by c. bautista
4.0 out of 5 stars
James Garner ....Grand Prix
Again what can I say, this is a 4 star movie for me and one of my favourite James Garner movies and the fact that it was filmed alongside the actual Grand Prix season was amazing. Read more
Published 24 days ago by David Thorne
5.0 out of 5 stars
A bygone way of making movies
Top notch all the way, the camera work is superb and you can count on this film to give you an authentic looking ride of your life.
Published 26 days ago by Babel-17
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Have
Best Old School Racing Movie Ever, The story line and racing scenes are excellent. You will not be disappointed what so ever.
Published 26 days ago by Birddogg66
4.0 out of 5 stars
Racers stories
Received three Acadamy Awards. Tells the stories of four Formula 1 racers: a world weary veteran who is unhappily married, a dashing rookie, Pete Aaron in his prime (James Garner)... Read more
Published 28 days ago by ellison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still good after 40 years.
Still good after all these years. A young James Garner, the way we like to remember him. Cameras fastened to cars going 180 miles an hour.
Published 1 month ago by John P. Stiffin
