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The Quiet Before The Storm© Gary Presley
Page 2
Mar 6, 2001
- Le Mans - with Steven McQueen, who probably had racing experience equal to fellow actor Paul Newman when this film was made in 1971. It centers on the race at Le Mans, with a minor sub-theme of romance. The camera work is phenomenal. The dialogue is minimalist. The big Ford GT-40s are awe-inspiring.
- Grand Prix - James Garner, who also had some driving experience, made this in 1966 when he was young and handsome. Good racing scenes shot in the era of minature F-1 cars, with a more intense romantic plot intertwined.
- Winning - Paul Newman, racing owner/driver and actor extradonaire, did this film in 1969 with his wife Joanne Woodward and Robert Wagner as co-stars. Has everything from stock cars to Indy cars, plus the standard romantic subplot, but I'll watch Joanne Woodward any day.
- Heart Like a Wheel - NHRA's champion drag racer Shirley Muldowney's true-life story, with Bonnie Bedelia in the starring role. Off-beat, but true-to-life.
- Days Of Thunder - Tom Cruise's stock car saga shows up on the small screen regularly, and I wince everytime there's a shot of a NASCAR lead sled scraping the wall and continuing to battle for a slot without losing momentum.. A little reality, please.
- Bobby Deerfield - made in 1977 with Al Pacino, but it just doesn't having the stick-in-the memory power of even some films with lesser actors. Pacino is tops, but here ... well, watch Le Mans.
- To Please A Lady - I caught this 1950 Clark Gable film on Turner Classic Movies, and, while it incorporates some of the over-the-top dramatic technique of that era, there are some really good racing shots in it.
- Red Line 7000 - James Caan, a Pacino contemporary, stars in this film I'd forgetten until recently. It's an early Days of Thunder. Watch Le Mans.
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