Customer Reviews

The Racers (1955) [VHS]

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The Racers is a great movie about motor racing in the 1950s era. Previous reviewers obviously haven't the knowledge of F1 motor racing of that period. It was a time when the giants dominated - Fangio, Moss, Ascari, Behra, Hawthorn, Collins, etc. on some of the best but dangerous circuits which, of course, would be condemned today. In this sense, Director Hathaway depicts this scene in an accurate manner. What a cast, Kirk Douglas lends that ambitious, athletic, vibrant persona to the role. Bella Darvi balances his agression with beauty as well as the cultural dimension of ballet - also a risky venture. Supported by a cast of professionals - Roland the venturous rake, Cobb the epitome of Mercedes'Nebauer, Romero the experienced veteran, Jurado the constant support of a motor racing partner. Each suit their particular roles brilliantly. This movie is a motor racing classic.

Although the production and storyline are pure Hollywood 50's melodrama, it's definitely worth at least one viewing if you're an enthusiast of F1 and sports car racing in the 50's in Europe. The cars are all real - Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes et al - and the track action is genuine, although with a lot more rear-screen filler shots than you would see later in the 60s. Shooting was done at several classic circuits including Monaco, Nurburgring, the Mille Miglia, Spa, and a climactic race at the great old highway circuit at Reims, France. There are in-car shots, though not many, including a shot going through Eau Rouge at Spa that was duplicated by Frankenheimer in "Grand Prix" 11 years later.

Wonderful period racing film of the golden years of GT and Formula 1 racing. Kirk Douglas does a great job as a wreckless driver willing to do anything to succeed in motorsport. Only flaw is typical 50s romance interest. Please, please, create a DVD version.

The Racers and Grand Prix remain notibly absent from the DVD format.

James Taylor

This movie is valuable as one of the few places where you can get an idea of what Grand Prix and sports car racing was like in the dangerous '50s. The cars and the venues are the real stars here. Douglas' performance as the ruthless privateer is adequate, though his total lack of an accent for what is supposed to be an Italian character is rather jarring. Romero is great as the rival and Cobb does a perfect impression of a typical '50s-vintage team boss. Don't mind the fact that the drivers are "driving" in a studio in front of a projected image - there are enough real images of the races to make this one worthwhile. Now, if we could only get it reissued on DVD.....

This is an absolute time-warp classic with a story line that seems to draw on aspects of the life of the great Tazio Nuvolari. If you have any love of the golden years of Grand Prix racing back in the fifties before cars were stripped of their character, this is a feast of beautiful machinery never to be seen again. Get it now. Satisfaction is guaranteed.

OK, so it's a little campy in a retro 50s sort of way, and they take a perfectly good Ferrari and call it some silly, made up name. But this movie is great fun if you love old sports cars, and makes a serious attempt to understand why people dedicate so much energy to going fast.