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Grand Prix

Play trailer Poster for Grand Prix Released Dec 21, 1966 2h 59m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
The most daring drivers in the world have gathered to compete for the 1966 Formula One championship. After a spectacular wreck in the first of a series of races, American wheelman Pete Aron (James Garner) is dropped by his sponsor. Refusing to quit, he joins a Japanese racing team. While juggling his career with a torrid love affair involving an ex-teammate's wife, Pete must also contend with Jean-Pierre Sarti (Yves Montand), a French contestant who has previously won two world titles.
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Grand Prix

Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Republic There’s so much plain and fancy hard work involved in a production like Grand Prix that it begins to seem almost cruelly flippant to watch it for the same reasons we’d watch a lousy old movie on television. Sep 19, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy The predictable soap-opera elements might be strictly Formula One, but there’s innovation to spare when it comes to the mounting of the spectacular race scenes. Rated: 3/4 Aug 4, 2025 Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal The did-it-for-real granddaddy of contemporary racing films & the apex of god-tier go-fast cinema, at worst unrivaled by anything since & at best the recipient of loving homage. To boot, it offers a ruthless understanding of professional racing business. Rated: 4.5/5 Jul 30, 2025 Full Review Nathanael Hood Unseen Films It's a rowdy, roaring, ecstatic hallelujah of movement and speed. Rated: 9/10 Jun 8, 2020 Full Review Penelope Houston The Spectator Frankenheimer can make one feel that there's no more exhilarating place to put a camera than on a Formula One. Jul 9, 2018 Full Review Tim Brayton Alternate Ending Turns a high-speed death-defying stunt into a collection of beautiful pictures assembled with visceral effectiveness,. Rated: 4/5 Aug 30, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mate P Grand Prix revolutionized the way racing films are shot and I love it for that. The writing is overall mixed. I like the characters, I think they are quite well-written. It's interesting that everyone is in a grey area, nobody's black or white. The story was probably secondary behind spectacle and it shows. I like how some of it is unpredictable, but at the same time it's also messy. The dialogues are mixed. Some of the lines have weight and meaning, but most of them feel forced and unnatural. The cinematography is amazing. The lighting is good, but the camera movements and angles are what revolutionized the way racing films and car scenes are shot in general. You can see how some shots inspired F1: The Movie or one of the best car chase sequences of all time, in Ronin (also directed by John Frankenheimer). The editing can sometimes seem weird with a modern eye, but at the time it must have been mesmerizing. The transitions between the split screens must have also been revolutionary. The sound design and mixing helps the cinematography in achieving the feeling of racing and its realism. The score is always beautiful, but not always fitting. The acting performances are mixed. I could feel that the non-English speaking actors had a hard time acting in a different language. The line deliveries felt forced. On the other hand, the physical acting is great. Grand Prix aims for spectacle over substance and delivers. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/02/25 Full Review Mark B Racing sequences are excellent. Eva Marie Saint Yves Montand scenes are soap. Jump over every scene and shot that Saint is in and the movies pacing and story works. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/20/24 Full Review Ray L Hard to believe spectators were allowed to line the track the way they did. Great movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/26/24 Full Review Judith S Splendid action, photography, direction and a close up of life in the 1960’s. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/19/24 Full Review Alec B If you can get passed the predictable melodrama the editing, cinematography, direction, and Saul Bass montage designs will more than see you through the lengthy running time. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/24 Full Review jrnation5788 A terrific time capsule for 60's Formula 1 racing with expert cinematography, a solid story, and character performances to go along. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/05/22 Full Review Read all reviews
Grand Prix

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Movie Info

Synopsis The most daring drivers in the world have gathered to compete for the 1966 Formula One championship. After a spectacular wreck in the first of a series of races, American wheelman Pete Aron (James Garner) is dropped by his sponsor. Refusing to quit, he joins a Japanese racing team. While juggling his career with a torrid love affair involving an ex-teammate's wife, Pete must also contend with Jean-Pierre Sarti (Yves Montand), a French contestant who has previously won two world titles.
Director
John Frankenheimer
Producer
Edward Lewis
Screenwriter
Robert Alan Aurthur
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Cherokee Productions, Joel Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 21, 1966, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 18, 2010
Runtime
2h 59m
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