Movies and Videos You Can't Miss
- Better Turn Up the Volume
The intense rivalry between drivers and their cars, each striving to outpace the other, is a thrilling experience for even spectators and viewers. Let's delve into the captivating world of motorsport films and documentaries that elevate excitement and immersion, even through screens and monitors.
Movies and Videos You Can't Miss - Better Turn Up the Volume
Adrenaline Drive:
Movies with a Documentary Feel
Grand Prix | 1966
A true legendary work. Shot with Super Panavision 70 cameras and presented in Cinerama (70 mm), this film brings to life the exhilarating F1 racing scenes with a focus on realism over embellished dialogue. Clocking in at 176 minutes, it extensively showcases "real" drivers and "real" audiences filmed during "actual" Grand Prix races on "real" tracks.
The low-angle onboard cameras authentically convey the speed, intensity, and ambiance of F1 racing without relying on computer graphics, which are commonplace today. Winner of the Oscars at the 39th Academy Awards in 1967 for editing, sound editing, and sound effects, this film lives up to its poster tagline, "All the glamour and greatness of the world's most exciting drama of speed and spectacle!" The undeniably exciting F1 race is the highlight of this movie.
Le Mans | 1971
Starring Steve McQueen, who turned down Grand Prix due to contractual issues, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, is an endurance race where competitors vie to see "who went the farthest" over the course of a full day, unlike F1, which focuses on "who came in first." With a documentary-like approach, the film authentically captures every aspect of the race, including the circuit, vehicles, and actors, as the production team participated in the actual 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1970.
As a film that remains iconic enough to be played whenever the motorsports genre is mentioned, the movie is filled with symbolic scenes: Steve McQueen awaiting the start in the movie, Porsches racing alongside thunderous noise, and spectators blocking their ears. The close-up shots of racing cars, as if the camera is about to crash into them, provide a thrilling sensation. Despite criticism of weak storytelling and neglected narratives, it is a work whose value as a motorsports film has been re-evaluated over time. The brief review "Le Mans 24 Hours itself" is the most accurate interpretation and the highest praise for this work.
Rush | 2013
The review "Watch it, even if you don't know F1" succinctly captures the value of this film. This biographical film portrays the clash and camaraderie between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, hailed as "the greatest genius rivals in history," focusing on the 1976 F1 German Grand Prix (Nürburgring) and Japanese Grand Prix (Fuji Speedway). Hunt, characterized by his overconfident and reckless playboy demeanor, is depicted as an instinctive genius, while Lauda, known for his meticulous calculation and unwavering determination, is portrayed as a diligent genius. Their ultimate showdown, which gripped the world's attention, leaves a touching impression.
The thrilling racing sequences and the dramatic conflict between the two protagonists are executed with precision, while Hans Zimmer's soundtrack adds to the atmosphere of the film. The tragic fate of rivals teetering on the edge of life and death, and the gripping final race inherent to motorsports, accelerate the viewers' heartbeats. "Running at 270 kilometers per hour. It's like a bomb on wheels." This line from the movie perfectly captures the overwhelming spectacle.
Ford v Ferrari | 2019
This movie is incredibly engaging, offering both entertainment and a profound message. As a biographical film rooted in a true story, it meticulously delves into historical research of the era (specifically the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans) and masterfully recreates real-life figures such as Henry Ford II, Lee Iacocca, Enzo Ferrari, Carroll Shelby, and Ken Miles. The pride of Shelby, a retired American driver and race car designer who triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, clashes with Miles, a British driver and engineer based in the United States, living up to the values of Ford and Ferrari.
The narrative unfolds with Ford, a powerhouse in the global automotive market but considered an "underdog" in motorsports, failing to acquire Ferrari and subsequently striving to dominate the 24 Hours of Le Mans with an in-house developed race car. The story unfolds dramatically, with exhilarating driving sequences brought to life brilliantly. The roaring engine, the rumble of the road surface, the squeal of brakes, and the surreal rush of wind noise immerse viewers in a sensory whirlwind of excitement. The film won the Best Sound Editing and Best Editing awards at the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020.
Gran Turismo | 2023
The title "Gran Turismo," derived from the Italian term for "Grand Tour," refers to a 17th-century European tradition where upper-class youths embarked on educational journeys across various countries before entering society. The term also gave rise to the concept of Grand Tourer (GT) cars, high-performance vehicles designed for long-distance travel. The movie is based on a true story and the popular PlayStation game series of the same name, which debuted in 1997 and ran until Season 7 in 2022. It follows the journey of Jann Mardenborough, a graduate of the "GT Academy," which aims at transforming gamers into professional drivers.
As portrayed in the film, the transition from gaming to real-world racing poses a daunting challenge. "You're going to take a kid who was playing games and make him sit on a rocket at 320 kilometers per hour?" The protagonist's journey from virtual to reality is filled with obstacles, but he ultimately overcomes them, achieving what initially seemed impossible. The film captures the exhilarating speed of racing, whether on the virtual track or in real life, in a truly dazzling manner. The relentless pace, depicted through race cars from Nissan, the brand that trained Mardenborough, as well as other iconic manufacturers like Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren, Audi, Chevrolet, Ford, and Honda, is a spectacle to behold.
Myths of Challenge, True Stories of Inspiration:
Movie-like Documentaries
A Porsche 908/2 embarks on a commemorative drive, reminiscent of its days as a vintage race car. Steve McQueen filmed racing scenes for the iconic movie Le Mans by deploying a race car equipped with a camera into a real-life race.
©ShutterstockSteve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans | 2015
This documentary offers a glimpse into the era when Steve McQueen, a Hollywood legend and a real-life motorsports enthusiast during the 1960s and 1970s, took personal charge of producing the 1971 film Le Mans. Under his real name, it features footage from the production and interviews with crew members and family from that time. Premiering at the 68th Cannes International Film Festival in 2015, this documentary sheds light on McQueen's profound passion for motorsports, epitomized by his involvement in Le Mans.
McQueen, once renowned as a speed aficionado with a collection of 201 motorcycles, 55 cars, and 5 airplanes, journeyed to Le Mans, France in 1970 to realize his lifelong dream of making a racing film. With a vision to capture the human struggle and the exhilaration of racing on screen, he established a production company and recruited a director. His passion blazed even brighter as he sent a race car fitted with a camera to participate in the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, the documentary also unveils the challenges McQueen faced, including conflicts with investors and unforeseen accidents, evoking a sense of empathy.
Formula 1: Drive to Survive | 2019~2024
"State-of-the-art cars, top speeds, brilliant techniques. But that's just the beginning." With this declaration, Netflix unveils the "real race" that unfolds both on and off the F1 circuit, delving into the competition among drivers and teams. The Netflix documentary series, created in collaboration with F1, explores the teamwork, rivalries, obstacles, and victories experienced by F1 participants since 2018. Season 6, covering the 2023 F1 season, is now available to watch.
Fans of "observation cameras," reality entertainment, and binge-watching will find themselves captivated by content, regardless of their familiarity with F1. It offers a unique opportunity to witness the world's fastest men and race cars, along with the myriad twists and turns that define their existence, as if peeking into a controlled realm. For F1 enthusiasts, each season also provides valuable insights and information.
Schumacher | 2021
What distinguishes this documentary is its authenticity, being the only work officially approved by the Schumacher family. It features rare interviews and unreleased footage of Michael Schumacher, hailed as the "King of F1" and an "All-Time Legend." Through this documentary, viewers can delve deeply and passionately into Schumacher's life, from his early days in karting and F3 to his meteoric rise in F1 in 1991, where he set numerous records and clinched the championship trophy a record seven times.
The documentary portrays Schumacher's unwavering determination, tireless work ethic to overcome challenges, the doubts and anxieties he concealed, and even moments of quiet contemplation. It not only celebrates the illustrious career of "Driver Schumacher," who conquered the world's greatest racetracks, but also sheds light on the personal side of "Human Schumacher," who cherished his private life. Schumacher's parents, children, and his wife, who was also his childhood sweetheart, candidly share their experiences in front of the camera. Through this documentary, audiences will fondly remember and continue to support the eternal champion Schumi, who miraculously emerged from a coma following a skiing accident at the end of 2013, even though he may never be seen behind the wheel of a race car again.
NASCAR: Full Speed | 2024
This documentary chronicles the playoffs and championship races of the 2023 NASCAR (The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) Cup Series. The first season premiered in January of this year. The Cup Series stands as the pinnacle of stock car racing under NASCAR, making it the premier motorsport in the United States. Competitors in this series race with cars manufactured by Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. The adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of the races, depicted in the documentary's subtitle "Full Speed," is enough to elevate heart rates to their maximum limits. The sheer thrill of witnessing drivers, cars, and spectators all immersed in the exhilarating rush of speed makes watching this documentary an exciting experience in itself.
"The moment you push the car to its limits and exceed them, nothing else in the world matters. The excitement and cravings only grow stronger." The sensation of cars zooming past the finish line in a blur, coupled with the intimate portrayal of drivers' experiences, is undeniably addictive. For those intrigued by the captivating stories behind this high-stakes racing event and the drivers who channel dangerous passion as their fuel, this documentary is an absolute must-see.
Hankook Motorsports Makes
a Mark on the Global Stage
The First | 2024
"Tires that effectively bring out the car's performance, the driver's skills, and the team's strategy to the track are paramount." So begins the first episode of "The First," featuring a commentary by Hankook & Company Group Chairman Brian Cho. This documentary sheds light on Hankook ATLASBX Motorsports' (now known as Hankook Competition) journey onto the world stage. Produced to showcase Hankook Tire's passion for motorsports and its cutting-edge technology on a global scale, the documentary chronicles the team's historic challenge in the world of endurance racing in 2023, culminating in their championship victory.
"The First" documents a year in the life of Hankook ATLASBX Motorsports as they prepare for and compete in the "24H Series Powered by HANKOOK European Series 2023." It follows their relentless dedication and collaborative efforts as they strive for victory. Their remarkable achievement, which showcased Hankook Tire's technological prowess and motorsport expertise on the international stage, includes securing three titles: GT Trophy Champion, GT4 Class Champion, and GT Driver Champion. The team's journey takes them through iconic racing circuits such as Mugello and Monza in Italy, Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, and Portimão in Portugal, as well as Toril and Barcelona in Spain, where they left their all on the track.
This project holds notable significance in multiple ways. Not only does it mark a pioneering move in the Korean tire industry by launching branded video content on an OTT platform, but it also represents Korea's inaugural participation in the full-season 5th round of the 24 Hour Series European competition and championship victory. Comprising a total of 8 episodes, "The First" is available for viewing on the Hankook Tire YouTube channel (@hankooktire_global).
- Written by
- Jihwan Song
- Photos from
- Hankook Tire & Technology, Getty Images, Shutterstock
