The top 10 of the best motor racing movies
While F1, the film has just been released and will no doubt win over time as a reference in the matter, we have selected the cream of pilots of the 7th art, from Tom Cruise to Yves Montand via Christian Bale or … Herbie.
10) Ferrari (2023, from Michael Mann)
A rough biopic on Enzo Ferraricarried by a disaster Adam Driverwhich is mainly worth for its stunning reconstruction of the Mille miglia. More melancholy and more introspective than the other works of the genre, the historical reconstruction is superb, and the fatal race of 1957 on the Italian roads between Brescia and Rome, is certainly one of the most significant in the 7th art.
9) Speed racer (2008, Wachowski)
A visual and pop UFO, misunderstood when it comes out (and a flop at less than $ 100 million in revenue), which has become cult over time. THE Wachowski Reinvent racing cinema as a hallucinating psychedelic trip, mixing manga, video games and futuristic competition. A little kiff that takes off, with the too rare Emile Hirsch driving.
8) Ricky Bobby: King of the circuit (2006, from Adam McKay)
Will Ferrell As a completely moron Redneck Mégalo pilot, but completely endearing. In the wake ofAnchormanhe embarks on the circuits in this hilarious, absurd, and full of cult replicas. A parody of the stupid and brilliant nascar, for those who love chaos.
7) A LOVE OF COCCINELLE (1968, by Robert Stevenson)
The little Volkswagen Beetle Blanche with number 53, is undoubtedly the most endearing car in the cinema. Capricious and “living”, she gave birth to a saga that mixes race, comedy and fantastic. An essential of childhood that generates a nostalgia boost every time. Because, yes, Herbie crosses generations.
6) Thunder days (1990, by Tony Scott)
After piloting fighter planes, Tom Cruise Drive this Top Gun NASCAR. On the oval of conservative America, and supported by a Nicole Kidman So admiring in the paddock, Cole Tricke rushes like a ball. The plans of the pedals that sink with frenzy collide with those of the eye of the pilot who looks at the bottom of the retro as if he examined his soul of champion obsessed with the win. Exhilarating, sexy, furious and so stamped with 90’s cinema from Tony Scott.
5) Le Mans (1971, from Lee H. Katzin)
Steve McQueen At the wheel of a Porsche 917 in a cult, raw and quasi-documentary film. An almost sensory work, which favors immersion to narration. Few dialogues, many engines. A realistic tribute to the endurance of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with images captured in real conditions in the Sarthe of the 70’s. We don’t make it more cult!
4. Le Mans 66 (2019, by James Mangold)
Half a century later, another way to film Le Mans. This time, by the prism of the mythical duel between Ford and Ferrari in 1966. Matt Damon And Christian Bale The flock is pulled in style and embody the historical rivalry of the two brands on the Sarthe circuit. A great film from spectacular and neat studio, which takes its time and celebrates mechanical passion, between ego fight, engineering and speed.
3. Cars (2006, by John Lasseter)
The animated film Pixar is also a pure tribute to American mythology of roads and cars. A total racing film, which is full of sight and emotions. McQueen Flash undeniably marked a generation of pilots. It’s incredibly beautiful, steeped in good ideas and passion. A real love letter to automotive competition.
2) Rush (2013, from Ron Howard)
The mythical duel between James Hunt And Niki Laudafilmed like an eight emotions. Chris Hemsworth makes a perfect dandy of circuits in the face of very serious Daniel Brühl. A summit of dramatic tension and staging. Maybe the ultimate F1 movie before F1, the film.
1) Grand Prix (1966, by John Frankenheimer)
Epic, innovative and ambitious, with revolutionary shots for the time. Half a century before F1 The filmFrankenheimer had been able to film in the paddocks, turn on the real circuits and put real pilots like Graham Hill On the screen, facing Yves Montand And James Garner. A technical and human fresco in total immersion in F1 of the 60s, with racing images of a rare intensity for the time.
Bonus: Senna (2010, from Asif Kapadia)
Not a fictional film but a punchy documentary on the dazzling life of Brazilian genius Ayrton Senna. No comments off, only archive images: total immersion. To see absolutely for enthusiasts of motorsport.
