Le Mans (Film) 1970 Steve McQueen

If you've read this blog before you'll know that I'am a Steve McQueen fan, so for this article I'm going to visit the film that he struggled to finish and almost broke him financially and mentally Le Mans.

For all of Steve's acting life he'd be racing cars and bikes at the same time, he took part in the six day trial in East Germany on Triumph bikes and Driven in the 12hours of Sebring in an endurance car. His passion was to combine his two loves and make a movie about motor racing. Having been beaten to the screen by James Garner in Grand Prix a few years before Steve decided on the most iconic race of them all the 24 hours of Le Mans.

Sadly this was a hard task for McQueen his marriage was on shaky ground and his fame was catching up with him and by all accounts he'd developed an addiction for cocaine with could only have made his mental state worse. Having the main director and friend walk out of the shoot declaring "I'm to old and to rich for this shit" John Surtees proved his wisdom as the shoot turned into a working hell of paranoia and last minute rewrites. The braking point happened when solar productions a Mcqueen company had to get a studio to step in and see the production through to the end, Lets look at what they made.

Starting off with a flash back to the previous years race where McQueens character Porsche driver Mike Delaney had been involved in a crash that killed his rival Ferrari driver you're shown the ghosts Delaney carries with him and will have to face in the up coming race. The opening shows the preparations for the race with team bosses watching as their cars are rolled out for the race ahead, drivers going through pre race drills and the crowds flooding to the circuit. French pomp as the national anthem is played over a tannoy system before handing over to your narrator and commentator who's sets the scene further.

Subtly showing the rivalry between the Porsche and Ferrari teams the drivers take to their cars. the camera work is shaky as it moves around the pit area giving you the sense that your there in person. The tension builds until the race starts, with the echo of heart beats until flag drops and the engines roar to life and the fast frenetic action begins.

The cinematography of the racing is brilliant with the high pitch engine notes you can see just where all the production money was spent as cars hurtle past the cameras at 200mph. If you like endurance cars its worth watching just for the action sequences. Watching the early stages of the race and seeing just how close the spectators are to the action the first driver change happens quiet soon and there after some semblance of a story arch emerges as Delaney happens across the widow of last years Ferrari driver. Theres much behind the scenes activity and portrays the drivers in their down time and facing the press.

The weather turns to rain out on the track and cars slip and slide on the slick surface. With the cars kicking up mountains of spray there's yet another driver change and Delaney is back in the Porsche as with each driver change theres a small snippet of behind the scenes and the race moves into night. with the lights of the fairground the camera follows the Ferrari drivers widow Lisa as she takes in the sights and sounds, refusing an invitation for coffee with a driver she is solemn and alone.

Yet another driver change and Delaney is back in the drivers rest area, stopping for a bite to eat he finds Lisa alone and with reverence goes to join her. They make guarded small talk and Lisa asked some probing questions that Delaney struggles to deal with. Before he asks why she has come to the race as it must be hard. Lisa explains she needed to for herself. Morning breaks and its the most dangerous part of the race with tired drivers one slip of concentration will mean a crash and possibly death.

Delaney heads back behind the wheel at the crucial stage, theres a slight mechanical fault with the Porsche uprights but the race continues at the same breakneck speed. As the lead Ferrari enters a bend it losses traction and slides the following Ferrari has a spectacular crash and leaves the track. the slow motion of the driver getting out of the car portrays what it feels like for him as every second feels like a minute and the muscle memory of getting out kicks in. Its a well directed scene and as the driver gets clear the stricken Ferrari explodes. Having made his way past the crash Delaney's Porsche is on the pace as the explosion erupts, distracted just for a second he has to swerve to avoid crashing into a slower car and destroys his own in the process. Coming to rest the camera zooms in to those cold blue eyes of McQueen as his character relives the crash.

With the crash siren sounding the camera cuts to Lisa who appears to be leaving the race. Hearing that it involves a Ferrari and Porsche Lisa heads to the medical centre in time to see a mutilated body.  walking away she's mobbed by press and overwhelmed, Delaney takes her arm and guides her away. A reporter draws synergy between this crash and last years where Lisa's husband died, Delaney walks away speechless and goes to the pits to face his team.

The team are full of concern and the team boss asks about the crash, Delaney is honest and takes full liability. Delaney finds Lisa in the pits tired wet and alone he takes her to his motor home. He spells out the dangers of racing and they debate motor sport and why drivers risk their lives. Its a touching scene The race continues with the remaining Porsches. The driver of the No 21 Porsche is off the pace and the team boss sends for Delaney. Delaney is to drive the car defensively and ensure the No 22 Porsche wins as the Ferraris nip at his heals. He does his job and roles in 2nd and as the crowd celebrate the win he walks towards Lisa looking for forgiveness he knows she can't give. She gives half a smile and thats enough for him. the film ends

Theres not much of a story to Le Mans it has to be said but the action on the circuit is really the focus as it should be, while it only offers a small window into a very hectic race it is a taste of the real thing. If you want true racing drama then watch the real thing in mid June with four different classes on the track at once traveling at different speeds it is a true spectacle of motorsport and full of entertainment.