Top F1 movie posters

From Brad Pitt to James Garner and Al Pacino: the stars of F1’s best film posters

Above: Brad Pitt strikes a suitably heroic pose as Sonny Hayes in this poster for the new film F1, released on July 25. Note the use of the official F1 logo indicating the collaboration between sport and studio.

Above: Brad Pitt strikes a suitably heroic pose as Sonny Hayes in this poster for the new film F1, released on July 25. Note the use of the official F1 logo indicating the collaboration between sport and studio.

Warner Bros

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Motor Sport

Left: Al Pacino was at the height of his powers in 1977 when cast as Bobby Deerfield, a wistful racer in this romantic drama. But even he and clips from the '76 F1 season couldn't rescue a cliché-rich plot

Al Pacino was at the height of his powers in 1977 when cast as Bobby Deerfield, a wistful racer in this romantic drama. But even he and clips from the ’76 F1 season couldn’t rescue a cliché-rich plot

Getty Images

 

Above: The 1966 classic Grand Prix was the first to bring the world of F1 to the big screen. Starring James Garner, the film drew on real race footage, plus cameos from the likes of Hill, Fangio and Clark.

Above: The 1966 classic Grand Prix was the first to bring the world of F1 to the big screen. Starring James Garner, the film drew on real race footage, plus cameos from the likes of Hill, Fangio and Clark.

 

John Frankenheimer’s Grand Prix was a commercial success upon release, grossing .8m in the US and Canada alone, and a further .3m in rentals, earning back around triple what the filmmakers spent (estimated m). It celebrated three Academy Awards following its release, for Best Sound, Best Sound Effects and Best Film Editing. It was the first motor sport title to win such awards, and the only until Ford v Ferrari, over 50 years later.

John Frankenheimer’s Grand Prix was a commercial success upon release, grossing $20.8m in the US and Canada alone, and a further $9.3m in rentals, earning back around triple what the filmmakers spent (estimated $9m).

Getty Images

 

It celebrated three Academy Awards following its release, for Best Sound, Best Sound Effects and Best Film Editing. It was the first motor sport title to win such awards, and the only until Ford v Ferrari, over 50 years later.

It celebrated three Academy Awards following its release, for Best Sound, Best Sound Effects and Best Film Editing. It was the first motor sport title to win such awards, and the only until Ford v Ferrari, over 50 years later.

Getty Images

 

It was the first motor sport title to win such awards, and the only until Ford v Ferrari, over 50 years later.

It was the first motor sport title to win such awards, and the only until Ford v Ferrari, over 50 years later.

 

Above left: 1974’s One by One was a documentary that followed the often tragic events of the 1973 Formula 1 season, starring Peter Revson.

1974’s One by One was a documentary that followed the often tragic events of the 1973 Formula 1 season, starring Peter Revson.

Getty Images

 

Above right: This short 1962 film simply featured Lance Reventlow lapping Riverside International Raceway in his 1960 Formula 1 Scarab.

This short 1962 film simply featured Lance Reventlow lapping Riverside International Raceway in his 1960 Formula 1 Scarab.

Getty Images

 

Right: It’s a documentary, but unlike any other. Steeped in never-before-seen footage and with incredible insight, Senna (2010) was entertaining, informative and also highly emotional.

It’s a documentary,but unlike any other. Steeped in never-before-seen footage and with incredible insight, Senna (2010) was entertaining, informative and also highly emotional.

Alamy

 

Left: In A Race for Life (1954) a driver struggles to choose between racing and his wife.

In A Race for Life (1954) a driver struggles to choose between racing and his wife.

Getty Images

 

Above: The casting crew excelled themselves with Rush (2013). Daniel Brühl had the role of Niki Lauda sewn up early doors, but Chris Hemsworth auditioned for James Hunt while also playing Thor in The Avengers. The end result was a box-office hit as the pair played out a dramatised version of Hunt and Lauda’s 1976 rivalry. In terms of numbers, the filmmakers splashed out m, but received a world-wide gross of .2m. Costs were trimmed by many scenes being shot at UK circuits such as Donington Park and Snetterton.

Above: The casting crew excelled themselves with Rush (2013). Daniel Brühl had the role of Niki Lauda sewn up early doors, but Chris Hemsworth auditioned for James Hunt while also playing Thor in The Avengers. The end result was a box-office hit as the pair played out a dramatised version of Hunt and Lauda’s 1976 rivalry. In terms of numbers, the filmmakers splashed out $38m, but received a world-wide gross of $98.2m. Costs were trimmed by many scenes being shot at UK circuits such as Donington Park and Snetterton.

LMPC

 

Left: Formula 1 Nell’Inferno del Grand Prix was an Italian production from 1970 following fictional driver Ken Stark and rival Frank Donovan, with cameos from Graham Hill, Giancarlo Baghetti and even Giacomo Agostini. It was released as Maniacs on Wheels in the US.

Formula 1 Nell’Inferno del Grand Prix was an Italian production from 1970 following fictional driver Ken Stark and rival Frank Donovan, with cameos from Graham Hill, Giancarlo Baghetti and even Giacomo Agostini. It was released as Maniacs on Wheels in the US.

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