classicsoncall Review of Le Mans

Le Mans (1971)

"On this circuit, the world's most famous motor race is run."

[7/10 · 19 November 2019]

I've read criticisms of this film stating it has no plot and the story line is non-existent. I didn't find that to be the case, though it does come across more as a documentary than a fictionalized story. I'd have to agree it's a must see for racing fans, and even though I don't consider myself to be one, I found it interesting enough to hold my attention. Steve McQueen has been a favorite of mine since childhood watching his Western series "Wanted: Dead or Alive", translating his passion for acting to a side pursuit of auto racing. What shocked me more than anything else in this picture was how old McQueen looked at the age of forty one, that's something I didn't quite expect. The movie's theme can best be summarized by McQueen's character, Mike Delaney, explaining to Lisa Belgetti (Elga Andersen) why men like him pursue a sport that's extremely dangerous and could lead to death - "Racing's important to men who do it well. When you're racing, it's life". Modern day viewers not old enough to have viewed McQueen's rise from TV Western star to iconic celebrity status, probably won't recognize gal pal and future wife Ali McGraw watching the first entrance of the racers to the Le Mans track. Today it might be considered an Easter egg, but back then it was one of Hollywood's hottest romances.