30 replies to this topic

[michaelab]

Just watched this again - hadn't seen it for ages. It was on TV (TCM here in Portugal) and I managed to record it to DVD Full widescreen and no commercial breaks Mono sound and I missed the opening credits

Just remembered what an incredible film this is! Not a bad film even if you're not into motorsport. If you're at all interested in F1 though it's a must. I won't bore you all with the details as I'm sure you've all seen it many times before. Just wanted to say how great it was once again.

It's funny, it makes you realise how much has changed and also how much hasn't: impossible to pass at Monaco, team orders fiascos, it always rains at Spa

Great footage of what Monaco, Spa, Zandvoort, Brands Hatch and Monza looked like in 1966. They didn't actually use the Monza banking in '66 though did they? When was the last time?

Another thing I thought whilst watching the film is that the makers of the historic F1 computer simulation "Grand Prix Legends" surely must have nicked huge amounts of images and sound effects from this film ;)

Michael.

[Geoff E]

Originally posted by michaelab
They didn't actually use the Monza banking in '66 though did they? When was the last time?

Last time for F1 GP was 1961.

Another thing I thought whilst watching the film is that the makers of the historic F1 computer simulation "Grand Prix Legends" surely must have nicked huge amounts of images and sound effects from this film ;)

I suppose the images would have helped to some extent but the film cars were F2 I think, so sounds were different.

[Mike Argetsinger]

Actually they were F-3 cars. Jim Russell had the contract with MGM to build them up to look like contemporary GP cars. As has been noted on other threads a great deal of effort went in to this and resulted in some amusing color combinations on cars and helmets as the year progressed.

Here is a copy of something I posted more than three years ago on the subject. The lead in was in response to something in Motor Sport about the amount of controversy the filming stirred up at the time.

The posts from contemporary Motor Sport certainly bring back memories of how much bad feeling there was in certain corners about the presence of Hollywood. I was present at every GP that year and neither at the time, nor today, believed that the movie making got in the way of the real thing. Viewpoints were typically split along lines of whether you were signed up with MGM or Steve McQueen's outfit - which didn't withdraw from the fray until well into the season. John Frankenheimer was (probably still is!) a marvelous individual with a genuine passion for the sport. He did an incredible amount of research and went to great lengths to be accurate and authentic. It is easy to take shots if one is so intent, but we wound up with a wonderful movie that brings back that era like nothing else. Part of the genius of the production was its ability to cut in the real stuff with the artificial stuff. The cars were built up from F3 chassis (I think Jim Russell did the conversions - if memory serves me right) to look like the various cars actually racing. (There was a lot of side intrigue around this too. I remember people putting decals on the sides of the real race cars that said Trade Mark applied for - or words to that effect - the cars didn't have much, if any, signage in those days so the decals were very prominent - they can be clearly seen in some photos from that year.) Driver helmets were matched with real drivers and even the names were made close enough so that actual public address sound could be used (Sarti sounds a lot like Surtees when pronounced by an animated French or Italian announcer!). Of course they had bad luck on that one when Surtees left Ferrari mid season. The following year we had a special "premier" of the movie at Watkins Glen at the time of the USGP (I forget the exact time line - I think the movie may already have had its real premier but this was a special promo cooked up by MGM). Anyway MGM sent one of their PR people to Watkins Glen to make the media rounds with us during the final two weeks before our race. He was a terrific guy, I wish I could remember his name, and a real pro. I probably learned more observing him in action than he gained in return. The other day I discovered that I still have 2 or 3 complete sets of all the promotional stills from the movie and other materials that we used during that time. I will stop this ramble but the topic sure does bring back some great memories.

Of course since I posted that John Frankenheimer has died. But what a wondeful slice of that era he gave us. As michaelab has said above it really gives us a feel for the circuits as they were then. I agree that the the movie has stood the test of time well. In fact I think it is generally more appreciated today than it was at the time!

[Ruairidh]

I just wish it was available on DVD

[catfigs]

you should check out some of his other movies if you get the chance, particularly the manchurian candidate, a great movie, with frank sinatra. i nearly jumped out of my chair, in fact i did, the other day when i found out the guy who directed the manchurian candidate directed grand prix. two very very very different movies. both very good. sinatra had the manchurian candidate pulled out of circulation for years after JFK's assasination, it was felt that the movie, in some strange way, almost, not quite predicted it, but, i don't know....sinatra was uncomfortable with it. i know this is a motor racing forum but honour this great director's memory and work and track down that movie, and a few others he made! he made the sequel to the french connection too, a movie with a good car chase...
check out this link: http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0001239/

[michaelab]

Geoff E - I know the cars used were F3 cars made to look like their F1 equivalents but the sound of the Ferrari V12 in "Grand Prix" is identical to the Ferrari engine sound in the "Grand Prix Legends" game.

Mike - thanks for all the background info! I had no idea it was so controversial at the time.

Ruairidh - yes, I too wish it was available on DVD. At least now I have it on DVD recorded of the TV which is better than nothing.

Another great Frankenheimer film is "Ronin" from 1998. The spectacular (and realistic) car chase sequences showed he hadn't forgotten the techniques used in Grand Prix!

Michael.

[Keir]

Michael A.,
Great background of the making of "Grand Prix!"

This movie needs to be put on DVD and a version that truly brings the film justice!

[paulhooft]

For al Grand Prix Fan's:
Very soon the DVD The making of GRAND PRIX is beiing released!
See and order at Amazon.com
or other sources
Paul

[Karen Hyland]

Originally posted by paulhooft
For al Grand Prix Fan's:
Very soon the DVD The making of GRAND PRIX is beiing released!
See and order at Amazon.com
or other sources
Paul

According to Amazon, the release date is 23rd September 2003 (ie today!).

Also mentioned on the Amazon web site:

Grand Prix (1966) - DVD: Availability: NOT YET RELEASED: The studio is currently not producing this title on DVD, but to be notified when it is available, enter your e-mail address at right. You'll also be voting for this release; we'll let the studio know how many customers are waiting for this title.

Perhaps we all need to go up and vote to encourage the studio to release this classic on DVD...

Karen

[BRNDLL]

Speaking of Ronin... I think they unearthed most of the custom camera mounts used back in Grand Prix and adapted them to the modern cars used in the chase scene. In any event, Frakenhiemer has a really great eye for motor related cinematography and I have enjoyed Grand Prix countless times over the years. I have Ronin on DVD for that reason as well.

bb

[Ruairidh]

Originally posted by BRNDLL
Speaking of Ronin... I think they unearthed most of the custom camera mounts used back in Grand Prix and adapted them to the modern cars used in the chase scene. In any event, Frakenhiemer has a really great eye for motor related cinematography and I have enjoyed Grand Prix countless times over the years. I have Ronin on DVD for that reason as well.

bb

Me too. And despite some holes in the plot - still a gripping yarn!

[zak]

Another great auto chase film done by Frankenheimer is the BMW short "Ambush". Actually the entire series has some really great driving sequences. The Guy Ritchie short "Star" is particularly good (and funny). The films can be seen at www.bmwfilms.com

[Gary C]

lads, take a look at my thread on this very subject from a couple of years ago.............http://www.atlasf1.c...d prix outtakes

[dolomite]

Amazon UK has 'The Making of Grand Prix' documentary out on DVD on 13th October

http://www.amazon.co...0599379-0615609

No mention of the film itself being released though.

[theunions]

Originally posted by dolomite
Amazon UK has 'The Making of Grand Prix' documentary out on DVD on 13th October

http://www.amazon.co...0599379-0615609

Any timeframe for a Region 1 encoded version???

[paulhooft]

if region 1 is vs:
they offer that at Amazon.com
And the region 2 version is at Amazon.co.uk

I wonder what is included in the making of
Hope some more of the racers of the day, the cars and the circuits
Paul

[Eric McLoughlin]

Is "The Making Of..." in Black and White?

If it is the "Whicker's World" documentary, this was broadcast originally in the UK in 1966/67. Colour TV only began in the UK in 1967. However, some TV programmes were being recorded in colour as far back as 1965 ("Stingray" being the first) for broadcast in colour in countries already broadcasting colour TV services (the USA and Japan, for example). I'm sure when the resume series of "Whickers World" was shown in the mid 80s, the "Grand Prix" footage they showed WAS in B & W.

[pebright]

This is my first post on Atlas (I have been posting for a while at the SpeedTV boards). I have been reluctant to start to post here - the forum is so bloody good that I am fearful that I will spend too much time here.
To the subject at hand...
Here in New York there is a John Frankenheimer film festival at the Film Forum, with a different Frankenheimer movie being shown each day. Grand Prix is scheduled to be shown on October 1. I'll certainly be there, and will be relishing what will perhaps be my only opportunity to see this movie in a theater on a real movie screen.

[conjohn]

Originally posted by pebright
This is my first post on Atlas (I have been posting for a while at the SpeedTV boards). I have been reluctant to start to post here - the forum is so bloody good that I am fearful that I will spend too much time here.

Welcome aboard, pebright - and, yes, it is highly addictive...

[Dennis Hockenbury]

pebright, welcome to The Nostalgia Forum. I have seen your posts on Speed Insider as I visit there infrequently. You will find this forum to be frequented by very polite, highly knowledgeable (to put it mildly), and sharing enthusiasts. I cannot convey properly to you just how much I have added to my (still limited) knowledge of motorsport history from my participation here.

I would encourage you to introduce yourself to the members in the Introduction Thread.

I trust that you will enjoy TNF as much as I have.

[JacnGille]

Originally posted by pebright
This is my first post on Atlas (I have been posting for a while at the SpeedTV boards). I have been reluctant to start to post here - the forum is so bloody good that I am fearful that I will spend too much time here.
To the subject at hand...
Here in New York there is a John Frankenheimer film festival at the Film Forum, with a different Frankenheimer movie being shown each day. Grand Prix is scheduled to be shown on October 1. I'll certainly be there, and will be relishing what will perhaps be my only opportunity to see this movie in a theater on a real movie screen.

'Bout time you showed up here, p'bright
!

[Lemans]

Any one else going to the Grand Prix movie on Oct 1st? I will.

[R.W. Mackenzie]

Just finished viewing the making of "Grand Prix" DVD which arrived today. I was not impressed. The following gives more of my reaction:

http://forum.racesim...threadid=110065[/URL]

Bob Mackenzie

[Hunt the Shunt Fan]

Hopefully any Grand Prix dvd that comes out will be an edited version with all the love scenes cut out. Grand Prix would be awesome if not for the horrible love scenes between the Italian guy and the American gal (Eva Marie Saint?)

[Eric McLoughlin]

Jean Pierre Sarti was French, not Italian.

The relationship between Mr Sarti and Ms Fredericks is a plot device rather than true romantic tale. She is there as the outsider and her role in the film is to ask questions that non F1 fans might be asking - such as "Why do you do this?", or "Are not you afraid of being killed or injured?". As a result, Sarti gets to reply using some of the best quotes in the movie - many of which were based on real responses from real drivers to genuine questions from interviewers.

[catfigs]

why didn't they make the making of grand prix an extra on the grand prix dvd? nuts, as brian wilson says...

[Peter Morley]

UK viewers might want to check Blackstar (www.blackstar.co.uk).

They are offering the Making of Grand Prix dvd for £4.99 with free delivery, when it is released on October 13th.

Sounds better than Amazon's claimed list price of £9.99!!!!!

And for a fiver does it matter if it isn't great?

[Dave Wright]

Originally posted by Peter Morley
UK viewers might want to check Blackstar (www.blackstar.co.uk).

They are offering the Making of Grand Prix dvd for £4.99 with free delivery, when it is released on October 13th.

Sounds better than Amazon's claimed list price of £9.99!!!!!

And for a fiver does it matter if it isn't great?

Have you had good experience of Blackstar Peter?

I recently ordered The BRM Collection - Vol. 4 from them and three weeks later the order was still "in process". I cancelled and ordered from Mill House and the video arrived 3 days later.

[Peter Morley]

Originally posted by Dave Wright

Have you had good experience of Blackstar Peter?

I recently ordered The BRM Collection - Vol. 4 from them and three weeks later the order was still "in process". I cancelled and ordered from Mill House and the video arrived 3 days later.

I have great experience with Blackstar.
I've ordered 100's of dvds (at least 250) through them and have no complaints.
- when one was late arriving (lost in the post) they simply sent another,
- when I ordered a duplicate by mistake they took it back,
- when they sent a duplicate by mistake they refunded the return postage
- when I've cancelled an order (sometimes they come out here (Belgium) before the UK) they don't complain.
- they also send them to arrive on release date whenever possible

Can't recommend them enough - whereas I don't understand Amazon, a company who deliberately sell at a loss (but try to make up for it with huge postage charges), if I was one of their shareholders who was subsidising all their customers purchases I'd be rather upset (& broke!).

[Arjan de Roos]

Some years ago I was lucky to purchase two LP records: One soundtrack of "Grand Prix" with all the music from the movie and one LP with the racing sounds of the cars with commentator Phil Hill explaining all tracks seen in the movie. Now that should fit on a CD as well nowadays (or check out your vinyl antique shop nearby).

[Robbie]

Originally posted by Gary C
lads, take a look at my thread on this very subject from a couple of years ago.............http://www.atlasf1.c...d prix outtakes

And I encouraged your enterprise, though somebody else tried to elbow you out of the way. What happened in the end? The DVD mentioned above?