Le Mans (1971) Review in 2025
Le Mans is a 1971 film about the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race, directed by Lee H. Katzin and starring Steve McQueen, Sandra Knight, and Gian Maria Volontè. The movie follows the story of a driver who competes in the prestigious race.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
This movie is not suitable for young children due to its intense racing scenes and mature themes.
CineReview Recommendation
This movie is worth watching for fans of racing and action movies. However, it's not suitable for young children due to its intense racing scenes and mature themes.
Spoiler Alert!
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The movie follows the story of Michael Delaney, a professional driver who competes in the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race. Delaney is a skilled driver, but he's also a bit of a rebel, and he clashes with the team owner, Luigi Minazzoli. As the race progresses, Delaney becomes more and more obsessed with winning, and he begins to take risks that put himself and others in danger. Meanwhile, the team's mechanic, Jean-Pierre Sarti, tries to keep the car in working order, despite Delaney's reckless driving. In the end, Delaney's obsession with winning ultimately leads to a tragic outcome.
Review Details
story8.00/10
The story is engaging and well-paced, with a clear focus on the racing action. However, the plot is somewhat predictable and lacks depth.
acting8.00/10
The acting is generally good, with Steve McQueen delivering a standout performance. However, some of the supporting actors feel a bit wooden and lack chemistry with McQueen.
characters7.00/10
The characters are well-developed, but some of them feel somewhat one-dimensional. Steve McQueen's performance is excellent, but the other actors are somewhat overshadowed by his presence.
direction8.00/10
The direction is solid, with a clear focus on capturing the excitement and intensity of the racing action. However, some of the scenes feel a bit slow-paced and could have been edited more tightly.
cinematography9.00/10
The cinematography is excellent, with stunning shots of the cars and the French countryside. The camera work is smooth and fluid, and the use of close-ups and wide shots is well-balanced.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The movie has excellent cinematography, a solid direction, and a standout performance from Steve McQueen. The racing action is intense and exciting, and the movie's themes of obsession and risk-taking are thought-provoking.
Cons
The plot is somewhat predictable, and some of the supporting actors feel a bit wooden. The movie's pacing could have been tighter, and some of the scenes feel a bit slow.
Notable Quotes
"I'm not just racing for myself, I'm racing for all of us."
"The only thing that matters is winning."
"The only way to win is to take risks."
