The Blog
This blog will be all about film reviews. I'm going to be watching a lot of movies, writing reviews, and hopefully not spoiling any movies you plan to watch.
Director: Lee H. Katzin Verdict: Thumbs Up 1971’s Le Mans starring Steve McQueen is one of the great sports movies of all time, detailing a thrilling race at the famous French circuit. Focusing on the life of a racing driver and acting as a fictional version of a real race, Le Mans makes extensive use of sound and camera work to help bring the viewer into the life of a racing driver. Following the epic battle between Porsche and Ferrari on the Circuit de la Sarthe and, more importantly between Porsche driver Michael Delaney (Steve McQueen) and Ferrari driver Erich Stahler (Siegfried Rauch). In the previous year’s race, it is hinted that Delaney accidentally killed a Ferrari driver, whose wife, Elga, now detests him. In the race, a big battle on track ensues between Delaney and Stahler along with the other Porsche and Ferrari drivers. Through the night the battle continues. In the closing hours of the race, Stahler spins and causes another Ferrari to crash, resulting in a huge fireball, nearly killing the driver. Delaney, distracted by the flames, crashes out of the race. Stahler continues while Delaney reconciles with Elga but is soon called on by the team manager to get back in another team car to make sure Porsche wins. Delaney rejoins and races with Stahler to the end, holding him up so that his teammate and Porsche would win the race. Katzin went to tremendous lengths to make the viewer feel as though they were at Le Mans, experiencing the race, being the racing driver. In the opening scenes when the massive crowd begins to wake up and prepare for the race, Katzin paces the movie to perfection. The silence slow breaks up as people begin the hussel and bussel, rushing to and fro, excitement rising as the people anticipate the start of the race. The sudden break from the excitement of the crowd to the very quiet life of the racing driver and the racing team as they prepare for the start. That sudden break makes the viewer feel so much more intimate with the driver. As the drivers get into the cars, there is the dim roar of the crowd as the drivers wait for the start in the quiet confines of the cockpit. With the start of the race, the sudden burst of noise from the engines, the close up footage of drivers in the car all help envelope the viewer in the frantic race. When Delaney crashes and there is a series of extremely quick cuts between different views of the accident, making the viewer feel as confused and disoriented as the driver. Whenever there is any sort of incident on track like Stahler spinning, Katzin uses this technique to make the viewer feel this way, to add to the experience. The relationship between Delaney and Stahler helps drive the rivalry between them. It starts out as a very vague relationship, with it being hinted that the two of them are the top drivers in the field. When they speak before the race, it seems as though they are friends. However after the start, both on and off track the rivalry intensifies with Stahler appearing to be the more malevolent force. It is not a hateful relationship, but one of intense respect and determination. Both are racing for the ultimate prize while trying to avoid the ultimate cost. The feud turns into a game of chess with one driver reacting to the other, testing each other and responding as necessary. By the end of the race, the two are flat out, pushing and passing and holding up one another. Ultimately Delaney comes out on top and helps his teammate to victory. Le Mans shows more than just the racing between the drivers, it shows the life of the driver. Through the use sound and editing, Katzin was able to immerse the viewer in the experience of Le Mans and show what the event truly is.
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June 2018
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