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I fell in love with 1950s Italian sports cars through watching film clips which lodged themselves in my sub-conscious mind. The curves of the front wings down to the headlights specifically intrigued me.
I've recently chased down a few films that feature those cars- even though the stories are fictional- the producers often used actual footage from the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and similar road races.
I can recommend "Checkpoint". Amazon says- "Stanley Baker's O'Donovan is sent to steal the plans of a rival company's racing car designs, to ensure his employers win the competition. However, when opening a safe containing the plans, he triggers an alarm leading to a gun battle where he kills a number of people. James Robertson Justice, alarmed by the scandal surrounding the killings, orders his agent be killed surreptitiously to hide his involvement with the plot. The film uses original footage from the Mille Miglia , an Italian open-road endurance race, featuring classic period racing cars. "
Another favourite is "The Green Helmet" ironically available in B&W... there's plenty of Maserati action where Bill Travers "drives" a Birdcage in the Sebring 12 Hours. Later in the Mille Miglia scenes, his special is overtaken by, and then overtakes a Maser. Lots of Aston Martin mentions and Jack Brabham has a speaking part. A young Sid James is a car builder/team mechanic who plays his part as an Australian by interspersing his speech with "sport" and "beaut". The dialogue is actually very good and in terms of authenticity, the film must be up there with Rush and Grand Prix.
I know it's only a short film and there's always been a certain amount of doubt whether or not it's authentic etc etc, but still very enjoyable 'Rendezvous', basically a Ferrari 275GTB racing through Paris.
I know it's only a short film and there's always been a certain amount of doubt ...
You don't actually see the car... The general consensus is that it was done on a quiet Sunday morning in an old Mercedes with the engine sounds being dubbed in later to sound like a Ferrari (from PistonHeads). It is obviously undercranked to make it seem faster. The few cars overtaken are not going a lot slower!!!
I know it's only a short film and there's always been a certain amount of doubt whether or not it's authentic etc etc, but still very enjoyable 'Rendezvous', basically a Ferrari 275GTB racing through Paris.
Andy
I bought this DVD when it was re-mastered and have always doubted the authenticity. Some parts just don't look right and appear to be speeded up, though could just be an effect of the low camera angle. That said, the driver undoubtedly took many risks, especially with red lights. But doesn't France use flashing red stop lights at night to mean take heed rather than 'stop'?
There's load of info on the web if you want to find more, and there are some interesting references on the wiki page.
Many reckon the director, Lelouche, used a Merc 450SEL to film it and overdub the sound from his Ferrari later on, but the Ferrari sound appears well-matched to the rate of progress so perhaps the Merc story is a smoke screen. All part of the charm, I suppose.
If you're a rally fan, this one is folklore. Ari Vatanen and Terry Harryman on the 83 Manx. It's the one with Harriman's infamous 'dear God' shout at 2mins in. http://youtu.be/0ubdVZP1oV8
If you're a rally fan, this one is folklore. Ari Vatanen and Terry Harryman on the 83 Manx. It's the one with Harriman's infamous 'dear God' shout at 2mins in...
"We have a bit of a puncture?" !!!
BUT- I'm thinking more about films in which you see the cars, not just interior looking out...
I bought this DVD when it was re-mastered and have always doubted the authenticity. Some parts just don't look right and appear to be speeded up, though could just be an effect of the low camera angle. That said, the driver undoubtedly took many risks, especially with red lights. But doesn't France use flashing red stop lights at night to mean take heed rather than 'stop'?
There's load of info on the web if you want to find more, and there are some interesting references on the wiki page.
Many reckon the director, Lelouche, used a Merc 450SEL to film it and overdub the sound from his Ferrari later on, but the Ferrari sound appears well-matched to the rate of progress so perhaps the Merc story is a smoke screen. All part of the charm, I suppose.