Director: Frank Simon.
Starring: Jackie Stewart, Roman Polanski.
Running Time: 93 minutes.
Synopsis: A digitally restored, new version of the exciting and insightful documentary on the life of 1970s World Champion racing driver, Jackie Stewart.
Watching a documentary on a sport you know little about and a sporting star about whom you know even less can be tricky. You can’t say whether the film makers are doing the personality justice or covering the event, in this case The Monte Carlo Grand Prix, in the right way. So as a Formula One novice, I can say that I loved WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION and am now enamoured with Jackie Stewart. It’s an archival piece filmed in 1971 in which Roman Polanski (yes, I’ll get to that) follows our hero around while he prepares for the big race. Stewart comes across as witty, urbane, strong and incredibly sexy. A phenomenally talented driver who does what nobody else has ever managed to do; get me interested in driving.
He talks about his car with a romanticism befitting any leading man and describes the mechanics of his art in a way that is both engrossing and entertaining. A sequence in which he speeds through the course with Polanski sat beside him and describes his method in exquisite detail is so fascinating, I could watch him talk and drive for the entirety of the film.
Director Frank Simon and his editor Derek York move things along at a clap, stopping only to hear more intriguing insight from the man himself. And that’s not all you should listen for, as the soundtrack of revving engines and screeching tires is utterly invigorating and builds the tension to the tremendously exciting climactic showdown. Then the camera pulls back from a hotel television to reveal Stewart and Polanski as they are now, sat in the exact suite in which they shared breakfast forty years ago. We are treated to an epilogue where they discuss the film, the fashion of the time and how Formula One has changed, particularly regarding the high death rate.
There is no way around it, though, the presence of Roman Polanski does add a touch of sourness to proceedings. The overall creepiness of the guy detracts from the enjoyment of an otherwise excellent piece of cinema. So the best way to view WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION is by watching the documentary and remembering that the original footage of Polanski is before he did what he did, and thoroughly enjoying the presence of one of the greatest racing drivers of all time. Although this is coming from someone who has only seen races in which Dick Dastardly sets booby traps.
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