Senna - The Movie

[fizzwheel]

I've been waiting for this to arrive in UK cinema's for a while. Released on June 3rd, anybody else planning to go and see it ?

[DJFridge]

I'd love to. Probably end up watching it on DVD though. Sad that so few people remember Roland Ratzenberger who died the same weekend - never had a chance to really shine in F1

[fenjer]

I think I will... I remember watching the crash with my dad on the tv.

[robh539]

I will be, I saw the trailer the other week. Brought back so many memorys of great racing, not like today.

[flymo]

I have the original footage from that days F1 tv on VHS tape, very sad to watch

[MR UKI (1)]

Definitely wanna watch this. I was only 12 at the time and clearly remember the moment my dad shouted to me to tell me the news, weird some of the things you remember, but will never forget it.

[andrewsmith]

Wee rebirth

DVD came out Monday gone, I missed this at the cinema.
Very sad weekend in racing for all involved. That is the first time I've properly seen the Ratzenburger accident

[andrewsmith]

Wee rebirth

DVD came out Monday gone, I missed this at the cinema.
Very sad weekend in racing for all involved. That is the first time I've properly seen the Ratzenburger accident

[hardhat_harry]

Is the DVD in English?

[DJFridge]

Wee rebirth

DVD came out Monday gone, I missed this at the cinema.
Very sad weekend in racing for all involved. That is the first time I've properly seen the Ratzenburger accident

Worth buying then? I'm looking forward to the Hunt/Lauda film as well

[andrewsmith]

its 60/40 (Portugese/ english)

There is a lot of subbed sections but that doesn't bother me

[andrewsmith]

Worth buying then? I'm looking forward to the Hunt/Lauda film as well

Yes as I'm watching some extras on the 2nd disc and its a lot of more info from people that were there

[Milky Bar Kid]

The Ratzenburger crash is horrendous. It's the way his head moves. Was obviously instant. Poor guy.

[Stenno]

Yeah I saw this during the week too. Such sad events. Also hinted at a very corrupt organisation in F1. Thankfully the drivers seem to have more say these days on track safety.

[Balky001]

Just watched the Senna film. Beautifully done I thought

Watching his rise was just like being in 1984 again. And that only seemed like yesterday....to me at least

[Gordon B]

Most amazing part of this film was definitely the in car footage. You have to respect anyone that could drive one of those cars.

The whole film was brilliant as well mind...

[missyburd]

Fantastic film, just watched. What a bloke. My dad always followed the racing closely as I was growing up, the loss of Senna affected him a lot. A very worthy tribute to a unique racer.

[MisterTommyH]

Just watched this. Amazing film.

I remember seeing it happen and being upset, but was to young to get the politics.

Does anyone know if there is any truth to the Benettons still having traction control in 94? And was the establishment really so blatently against him, changing rules and grid positions, or is that just the way it's portrayed in the film?

[Specialone]

Not sure tbh, it certainly came across that way, it was very cliquey back then.

I wasn't an ardent fan back then tbh, I watched it but wasn't fanatic.

I agree, the film is amazing, I had it for Xmas, very moving.

[Sid Squid]

was the establishment really so blatently against him, changing rules and grid positions, or is that just the way it's portrayed in the film?
It's a film from Senna's perspective - it's hardly unbiased.

I remember those times in F1 very well, but the past is a different country - they do things differently there. And it must be held in mind that the whole emphasis of motor racing of all kinds has changed significantly since then, then it still had a more than a trace of the gladiatorial violence that hallmarked the '50s and '60s, and that is simply missing from modern times.
Perspective: Simoncelli and Pedrosa argue over a corner quite legitimately and Pedrosa ends up in the dirt, Simoncelli gets a ride through penalty and much derision from other riders - undeservedly I feel. Contrast with racing incidents from the era of Schumacher and Hill, contrast even further with incidents that were not even contested let alone adjudged 'racing incidents' from the late '80s and early '90s.

For all Senna's brilliance, he was hardly the most sporting or sometimes even the most careful driver, he explains that as 'being a driver' and 'if you no longer go for the gap you're no longer a true competitor'*, and was, (only occasionally remember), sanctioned for the incidents resulting from that ethos.
Clearly the obvious incident was Suzuka in '90 where he left the grid with the quite deliberate intention of running both himself and Prost off the track in order to win the championship, arguments about which grid position is pole are irrelevant - he didn't by mistake cause a collision, but created one by his action, risking not only his life, but that of a rival which to my mind diminishes Senna's achievement somewhat.

He was much accused of being a dirty driver at the time, but the eulogising of history is upon him and much has been forgotten, and for all the reverence he receives now his career stats are not as good as some other contemporary drivers.

Still brilliant though. But also charismatic, handsome and stylish - things that Prost markedly wasn't, and there's nothing like dying young to cement and enhance your position in history.

*I paraphrase, I don't recall his exact words - but the sentiment is accurate.

[Nobbylad]

I'm with Sid on this, I haven't seen the film yet (planning to watch it on Sky this weekend), however I do remember Senna being one of the more sinister drivers at the time.

Racing has deffo changed a lot over the years

[Reeder]

I watched it the other day and enjoyed it very much :D

[MisterTommyH]

It's a film from Senna's perspective - it's hardly unbiased.


I thought as much. Just couldn't remember it clearly.

[Stuuk1]

Watched this the other day. What a film!

Still have the TT film in its cellophane wrapping...

[DJFridge]

Must buy the Senna DVD (Xmas list was too long). I had assumed the Lauda/Hunt film was also going to be a documentary (I know, cue the "what a muppet" comments). For anyone else in the same boat:

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/rush-ron-howard-james-hunt-niki-lauda-film-2012-01-20

[hardhat_harry]

The film is a montage of old clips detailing Senna's rise and fall, although well done there is nothing original there.

It definetley should not have got best documentary against TT 3D

[fenjer]

I watched this on sky the other day, and I remember watching the crash with my dad. I remember crying then and looking at my dads face, stunned.

I do recall him as being one of the better (more dangerous?) drivers, he had a skill and ability to drive a car like few others of his time, he took the risks and made the races worth the watching.

even today if he were still alive I dont think there would be many that could outdrive him, especially in the wet.

[fizzwheel]

Prost is always going to come across badly in a film that was made looking at it from Senna's perspective.

Senna IMHO went to far at Suzuka when he punted Prost's Ferrari into the gravel and I think the film does give a little bit away that perhap's Senna felt a bit like that to. Ron Dennis talks about him being in conflict with himself over what he had done.

He was charismatic, intelligent and a fully fledged red blooded racing driver. But I think Senna the racing driver and Senna the man were two very different people and the film does touch on the other side of his character, taking his nephew water sking, being around his family etc.

He took many risks, and to portray him as whiter than white, as somebody that could do no wrong is wrong. Read what somebody like Martin Brundle who raced against him in the lower formula's has to say about him. His driving style changed the way that F1 drivers drove. Something I think Michael Schumacher realised and copied. Brundle has talked before about how Senna would turn in for a corner and if the other drivers didnt give way he would crash you.

I think its a great film, about an era and one incident that re-defined F1 forever.

I'm looking forward to the Ron Howard Film "Rush" coming out, about Nikki Lauda and James Hunt's 1976 F1 season. I think its more of a film / story based on real events, rather than a Documentary like the Senna film is though.

[MR UKI (1)]

Watched it this morning on Sky Movies. Truly excellent film 'documentary' IMO with a very poignant part near the end with the words of Prof. Sid Watkins. Worth watching :thumright:

[mpsricky]

Senna movie is on Sky Atlantic on 22nd @9pm for all those who dont have movies on sky

[carelesschucca]

I watched Senna on Saturday night when Andy Murray got too much for me. Dunno if it was too wise watching it with the gaffer though...

She got very upset about it especially the Martin Donnelly crash, she now knows he survived, but I think the fact the pictures were in a similar vain to the Marco crash made her get very upset.

There have been quite a few frank discussions since... She's now said she's gonna worry even more when I'm out on the bike because life is precious and fragile.

I kinda wish we hadn't watched it... I don't need here worrying any more than she already does.

[Wideboy]

Don't show her tt3d then :lol:


I still got senna on sky plus from ages ago, not had time to watch it yet

[The Idle Biker]

There have been quite a few frank discussions since... She's now said she's gonna worry even more when I'm out on the bike because life is precious and fragile.

I kinda wish we hadn't watched it... I don't need here worrying any more than she already does.

Derail alert: I heard a biking acquaintance of mine died a couple of weeks. My first reaction was to ask if he died in a bike crash. But no, not at all. This guy was as fit as a fiddle, tea total and very health conscious. he'd been training for an Iron Man triathlon, went to bed as right as rain, and a blood clot caused a heart attack or something similar while he slept. He didn't wake up.

So....please tell your missus this story, carry on drinking beer and riding your bike. If she doesn't change her mind tell her to **** off nicely and go out on your bike.

Hope this helps and this fellas life was not in vain. :smt073 having said that, forget I mentioned it, she might not let you go to sleep.

[carelesschucca]

Don't show her tt3d then :lol:

She actually coped with that. She was fine with things till the Marco incident. Really cut her up


So....please tell your missus this story, carry on drinking beer and riding your bike. If she doesn't change her mind tell her to **** off nicely and go out on your bike.

sounds like there may be a divorce coming, god only 8 weeks married too...