23 replies to this topic

[dwh43scale]

I remember being allowed to stay up and watch the film as a boy in short trousers at a motoring club film night in our front room in the late 60s.

I've found it in four sections on YouTube, but wondered if a good quality version is out there ?

Thanks

[Gary C]

Try the Pirelli Film Archive.................if there is one ! LOL

[Ray Bell]

A great film, certainly well worth looking for a good copy...

Someone must have it. There was at least one copy with whoever distributed Pirelli in Australia, it was a 'request repeat' at an AARC Film Night.

[LittleChris]

I've not come across it before, could you let us know a bit more ?

[GD66]

http://www.youtube.c...11A9ED359C2739A will get you started

Edited by GD66, 18 May 2013 - 02:14.

[Odseybod]

Once upon a time, I had a Pirelli map based on the film, showing the route and with some stills from it. Alas, too much Sellotape and too many bedroom walls ...

[dwh43scale]

Little Chris

Plot very simple ...

(Hare) Good looking woman and daughter drive in an E Type the length of Italy stopping off at hotels, etc on the way. No seat belts or elf and safety, lots of horns blaring and engines roaring.

(Tortoise) Italian lorry driver (Pirelli truck and trailer) drives the same route making his lunch on the way while driving.

Car overtakes lorry, Lorry overtakes car, etc

Director went on to do Chariots of Fire.

[Derwent Motorsport]

I have the map. It was a very "arty" film in it's day. No dailogue I remember. Was it not going down the Autostrada del Sol just after it was completed?
It was on 16mm when I showed it. Was it ever put on DVD?

[Ray Bell]

Yes, the Autostrada del Sol...

Who forgot that the Pirelli truck driver also upended his wine bottle to his mouth while driving?

Scenes including the hare were to the tune of Keep On Running, while the 'theme' music for the truck driver was more or less Italian opera.

[WillHenderson]

As a lad I used to help show films to a local motor club and this was one I particularly remembered. I came across the promotional map/brochure for it recently. Some time ago I searched for a copy and managed to track down a guy who knew someone who had an original 16mm reel. However I was unable to persuade him to sell it to me. I did manage to obtain a very poor copy someone had recorded onto dvd - I must have a look for it.

[mike90]

[dwh43scale]

Ah, that's much better; thanks

[David Birchall]

What a lovely period piece! The film as well...

dwh43scale: who is pictured in your avatar? Is that Long John Baldry on the right?

[Gary C]

that's Wilko Johnson on the left and the much missed Lee Brilleaux from Dr.Feelgood in dwh43scale's avatar.

Edited by Gary C, 27 October 2015 - 02:19.

[dwh43scale]

Indeed, it is.

 

Borrowed from the iconic cover to Stupidity - the live album went to number 1.

[Lotus53B]

Pure class...I missed the Stupidity tour by about 6 months...still seeing Wilko live.

 

Back in the early 90s, Pirelli did a wonderful series of adverts parodying movie genres - there was an excellent one featuring a young Sharon Stone as the mysterious blond flirting with her chauffeur.

 

They seem to have a lot time for art excursions.

Edited by Lotus53B, 27 October 2015 - 11:46.

[Alan Cox]

Director went on to do Chariots of Fire.

As well as the excellent 'Fangio', discussed on here from time to time

[dwh43scale]

While we are (slightly / very) off thread, Zoe Howe's Lee Brilleaux book Rock'n'Roll Gentleman is due out in the next week or so. 

[Gary C]

I saw the Feelgood's loads of times in 74, 75 and 76, haven't seen them since Brilleaux left us though.

[David Birchall]

Thanks all-I left the UK in '73 was not aware of them. Wilko looks whacko!

[Gary C]

Look him up on Youtube, still a master of the Telecaster!

[David Birchall]

Thanks Gary, I just did-they look/sound like old "Mods", which is wot I am, innit?

[dwh43scale]

There's a strong argument that Dr Feelgood were the first punks (in a manner of speaking - in that they cut through the extravagence of prog rock, etc).

 

Julian Temple's film Oil City Confidential is well worth tracking own if you haven't seen it.

 

Oh dear, well off thread now !  Whilst I missed Feelgood in their prime, I did see the Tortoise and the Hare as a small boy in short trousers.

[GreenMachine]

I was the film person for the local car club back in the day, and I remember this one well.  There was also a similar one (from Castrol iirc) set in NZ that was a repeat request.

 

Those were the days, trying to keep records of what was around, what had been seen, organising postage, the projector, spare bulbs.  It must have been a significant administrative effort on the other end, especially chasing lost/delayed/damaged films.