I recently saw Le Mans all the way through for the first time, and I was very impressed. The film has often been called 'documentary-like', for its attention to detail and the feel of the film, but it is much more than that. The film is more about making you feel as if you are actually there - as if you are one of the drivers taking part in this 24 hour endurance race. Compared to an average film, Le Mans has very little dialogue. What there is mostly comes from the Race Track Commentator who gives us some background and takes us through what is happening on the track and in the pits. Some of the cars in the race are similar models, but you never lose track of who is who thanks to his updating. To be honest, the film doesn't need much dialogue - and Steve McQueen's presence does enough talking. In fact, many of the character's exchanges take place with just looks.

However, the on-track action - and there's plenty of it - is the reason to watch this film. You'd think that with the percentage of the film that's made up of racing it would get boring after a while, but director Lee Katzin keeps the footage fresh, playing with speeds, camera techniques and racing conditions to keep our attention. It's a testament to him and the editing and cinematography of the film that we're still as fired up at the end of the race as we are at the beginning. And what a beginning it is. The film brings you in slowly, from the dawning of the morning and the individual drivers arriving, to the crowds settling down, and finally into the build-up to the roaring race start. It's great stuff.

I saw about 15 minutes of this film on TV when I was quite young and remember getting annoyed at some of the filming techniques - particularly the occasional periods of silence through the crashes. However, coming back and watching the film again, I can plainly see why it was done. The crashes are some of the most powerful parts of the film and the way they're filmed blew me away. I would take this kind of thing over similar moments in almost any racing film made since.

(MINIMAL SPOILER) I also liked the fact that the 'romance' between the male/female leads was not rushed at all, almost just hinted at - the race is the star here, not the people. I can see why the time taken between them may be frustrating to some people, but I found it to be fairly realistic. It's not likely that they would just fall into bed - especially given the character's unusual relationship. (END SPOILER)

If you're looking for a racing film, give this one a try. It's a little different, and it is all the better for it.

In parts this is classic cool 70s cinema. Widescreen jazz infused. In other parts it's down and dirty trackside racing. Never quite a documentary, but close enough to the action for anyone interested in motor racing. Le Mans is a fascinating race and this is every bit the love letter to it. Dialogue is sparse, McQueen is quiet and brooding. The plot is simple, although could've been a bit more engaging. It's about the racing though, pure and simple and with several sequences that are nothing short of staggering cinematic brilliance, it can be forgiven for any inadequacies elsewhere. With watching racing, it's as much about what's happening off the track, the strategy, the politics and it's exactly the same with this film, the production fraught with issues and squabbles, the trivia section on IMDB is riveting!

As the poster says, "Steve McQueen takes you for a ride in the country. The country is France. The drive is at 200MPH!" "Le Mans" is arguably the best film made about the sport of race car driving. What it lacks in story it more than makes up for in exciting race footage. No process shots, no rear screen projection. What you see is absolutely real. And Steve McQueen is, as always, just great. (McQueen drove race cars as a hobby so he knew what he was doing behind the wheel of that Porsche.) If you've never seen "Le Mans", rent it. But don't expect to see a regular movie, instead, expect to see a fine race documentary.