Le Mans is a film released in 1971, directed by Lee H. Katzin. Starring Steve McQueen, it features footage from the actual 1970 race.
The film is today still popular among race fans as it is a relatively accurate depiction of the era, with a lot of racing but very little dialogue (Indeed, there is no discernible dialogue until approximately 35 minutes into the film). Due to this, and partly to the American market's general low awareness of the Le Mans 24 Hour race, it was only a moderate success at the box office there. It followed in the wake of the similar 1966 film Grand Prix.
A 35mm film camera mounted on the front of a Porsche.
Steve McQueen in discussion with actual Le Mans legend, Derek Bell.
There is very little plot; the movie entertains primarily by the sight and sound of Porsche 917s and Ferrari 512s, iconic racing cars with lots of visual and audio appeal to racing enthusiasts. There are, however, some elementary plot devices. The race itself is a fierce competition between the Porsche and Ferrari teams. Since it is a 24-hour race and the cars must have at least two alternating drivers, there is time for the resting drivers to have some human interaction. The main character, Michael Delaney (McQueen) has a strong rivalry with Ferrari team driver Erich Stahler. Delaney was involved in an accident the previous year at Le Mans, an accident in which a driver named Piero Belgetti was killed.
"When you’re racing, it... it’s life. Anything that happens before or after... is just waiting"
- Michael Delaney (McQueen)
To illustrate the enduring 'cool' of Steve McQueen and this movie, one only has to look at the items from the film sold at auction recently, or in particular the prices they reached...
Steve McQueen's race overalls - sold at auction December 2011 for $984,000.
Steve McQueen's beautiful Porsche 911S driven by McQueen in the opening sequence of the film and given to him by the film company - sold at auction August 2011 for $1,375,000.
The Heuer Monaco 1133B Caliber 11 Automatic watch, worn by McQueen in the film - sold at auction June 2009 for $87,600.
Steve McQueen in discussion with actual Le Mans legend, Derek Bell.
