19 replies to this topic

[Derwent Motorsport]

Does anyone know what happened to this film that was due for release about a year ago. We had it booked at our local Arts Centre and its premier was pulled about 12 months ago and we could not obtain for the show in March.

Edited by Derwent Motorsport, 16 November 2016 - 11:12.

[Tim Murray]

It doesn't seem to have been a commercial success, judging by the quoted US gross takings of just over $4k on the film's IMDB page:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3504604/

It's available on Amazon UK, but they currently only have a few copies available:

https://www.amazon.c...n/dp/B01579631I

https://www.amazon.c...y/dp/B01578E31Q

[f1steveuk]

I was sent a pre-release edit to watch. Can't say I was overly impressed, bit of a missed opportunity.

[DUFFY]

In my quest for the racing history of Rochdale Olympics it is difficult to find one in a race programme. But in this programme from Sept 30th. 1961.Oulton Park. there are 3.

But to keep to this thread, car number 132 an Austin A40. Is this entrant thee Sir John Whitmore and is the driver thee Steve McQueen the Film Star?

If so are the any race reports confirming this and how did he do in the race. Did he compete in any other races in the UK in the 1960s?

 

Regards,  Tony Stanton, Rochdale Olympic History Archive.

 

Ps) do any race reports mention the Rochdale Olympics?

 

[2F-001]

Is this entrant thee Sir John Whitmore and is the driver thee Steve McQueen the Film Star?

I'd say it probably was (in both cases); the two were reckoned to be well acquainted.
I think his (McQueen's) best known, or at least highest profile, race in the UK around that time was at Brands Hatch (the same year, from memory). There is a fairly well-known photo of him with Whitmore, Elford and Christabel Carlisle together at a post-race presentation after a race-long duel. My understanding is that the Mini McQueen drove there was Whitmore's.
There was a piece in Motor Sport about that episode but I can't now find it (maybe it was online).

Edited by 2F-001, 19 November 2016 - 09:32.

[2F-001]

I've found this, Duffy
http://www.motorspor...5/steve-mcqueen

and here is that picture:
http://www.motorspor...sle-McQueen.jpg

but, sorry, can't help with the Rochdales...

Edited by 2F-001, 19 November 2016 - 09:48.

[Giraffe]

Does anyone know what happened to this film that was due for release about a year ago. We had it booked at our local Arts Centre and its premier was pulled about 12 months ago and we could not obtain for the show in March.

I saw the film 12 months ago at the Midlands Art Centre here in Birmingham and really enjoyed it. It is worth viewing for the interview with David Piper alone, trust me........

 

[/IMG]

[bill p]

I saw the film 12 months ago at the Midlands Art Centre here in Birmingham and really enjoyed it. It is worth viewing for the interview with David Piper alone, trust me........
 
[/IMG]

Agreed, worth watching

[Peter Morley]

The film's available on DVD and Blu-Ray.

[nmansellfan]

I saw the film 12 months ago at the Midlands Art Centre here in Birmingham and really enjoyed it. It is worth viewing for the interview with David Piper alone, trust me........

I was there too and I enjoyed it as well. Not a fault of the film itself, but the MAC ran what felt like a record breaking amount of adverts before the film started, even more than the average 15-20 minutes you get at a modern multiplex!

[Philip Whiteman]

And wouldn't it be nice to reward those who put their money, time and intellectual property into the film by actually buying a copy?

[Giraffe]

And wouldn't it be nice to reward those who put their money, time and intellectual property into the film by actually buying a copy?

Agreed Philip, even though I have seen the film 12 months ago at the cinema, I have invested in a copy largely prompted by this thread.

[Alan Cox]

The Brands race also mentioned in Lunch with Sir John Whitmore

http://www.motorspor...r-john-whitmore

 

..and here is Mike Twite's Motor Sport race report

http://www.motorspor...cc-brands-hatch

 

 

Edited by Alan Cox, 25 November 2016 - 16:55.

[DUFFY]

Can anyone please find a race report for event 5 on Sept 30th. 1961 at Oulton Park with Steve McQueen in the Austin A40.

[Glengavel]

Love to see McQueen hurling an A40 round the streets of San Francisco...

[Collombin]

Until he spins on the third corner and the stunt driver takes over.

[Ian G]

Love to see McQueen hurling an A40 round the streets of San Francisco...

It would be good to watch downhill,wasn't it the early 1960's that the Toyota Tiara's were failing to climb SF hills without the 2 speed Auto slipping.

[Jack-the-Lad]

Love to see McQueen hurling an A40 round the streets of San Francisco...

.....passing the same VW Beetle six times.......

[kyle936]

Just listened to an interview by Adrian Chiles on Radio 5 Live with the director of this film. It's currently free to view on BBC Four and is therefore on i-Player.

 

https://www.bbc.co.u...man-and-le-mans

 

This is the 5 Live programme - the interview was @ around 12.30. More about McQueen than about racing but still interesting.

 

https://www.bbc.co.u...rammes/m000hpzz

[PhantomRaspberryBlower]

...It's currently free to view on BBC Four and is therefore on i-Player.

 

https://www.bbc.co.u...man-and-le-mans

 

 

It is, but I believe this is about 10 minutes shorter than the DVD version. I haven't gone to the trouble of comparing them so it may not be anything vital that's missing.