[.ca] Grand Prix (Widescreen Special Edition)

Amazon.com Essential Video:
Light on story, this 1966 spectacle directed by John Frankenheimer was shot in 70 millimeter, with a cinematically enthralling emphasis on unique, visceral new ways of capturing the sensations of a car race. James Garner, Eva Marie Saint, Yves Montand, and Toshiro Mifune are part of the stellar, international cast whose characters plod through assorted relationship and business conflicts. But the film's real hook is the thrilling and inventive means by which Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate) brings an urgency to the drama happening on the racetrack. A true master of the plastic techniques of obtaining and cutting kinetic footage, Frankenheimer offers more than a joyride to viewers: he makes action part of the compelling language of stories. Cameras are strapped to vehicles as they round the track, shots are taken from a helicopter, the screen is split between angles for maximum impact--even if Grand Prix doesn't rank among the director's best character-driven stories, it is certainly driven on its own terms. --Tom Keogh

Grand Prix, Grand indeed!:
It has been said that this is the best racing movie ever made. It is. No movie before or since has been able to capture the feeling and essence of racing in the 60's or any other era. What director Frankenheimer does in this movie is still exciting even by today's standards. Even though I am a huge Steve McQueen fan, Le Mans definitely takes second place to Grand Prix. I was really excited to see the movie Driven with Stallone, until I saw it. All I kept saying to myself was "This is not even close to Grand Prix". Grand Prix has not only raised the bar, but has set it as well. Do yourself a favor, don't rent, but rather buy this film and get ready for an education on how great movies were made and should be made.

Oh, that sound!:
For a race fan, Grand Prix is not just about the sights, but the sound as well. Frankenheimer outdid himself on this one, going for supreme accuracy on the sound effects. The Ferrari sounds absolutely different than the BRM, which sounds different than the 'Yamura.' Sure, the visuals are brilliant, but the sounds are the most incredible part. Actual period F1 race cars were outfitted with tape recorders to capture each make's unique voice. Brilliantly synchronized, and spectacularly authentic, to hear those shrieking engines echoing through the streets of Monaco or reverberating down the straightaways at Spa will blow you away. Forget the plot, which is quite thin. Forget the acting, which is stilted at best. Concentrate on the sights, the sounds and the cameos of all those famous race drivers, probably their only appearance outside of news or sports interviews. Relive the glory days of the sport, when tires lasted several races, brakes were a bad dream, and drivers manhandled those frail bombshells around tight tracks without traction control, semi-automatic transmissions and pit radios. In my collection of car movies, Le Mans and Grand Prix top the list. I find it difficult to choose between the two films because their intent is so different. Still, despite its 'Grand Hotel', soap-opera feeling, Grand Prix remains the Big Daddy of them all, and Frankenheimer will forever reign as 'Commendatore' with me.

Grand Prix:
One of the best racing movies of all time. The racing footage is the best.

Beware: Pan and Scan:
Be aware that this is a Pan and Scan version of the film, a fact that is omitted in the product description. As a result, many scenes that were thrilling in Cinemascope and awkward here. Nonetheless, I fully concur with other reviewers - this is a must have film for car buffs and racing fans.

A moment in time:
Never mind the fluffy plot. This is an opportunity to see classic F1 cars (minus all of today's technological aids) racing against each other - and possible carnage. We shall never see the like again. The in-car shots of the Monaco GP alone are worth the price. Thank you for finally releasing this on DVD!