If some distant civilization were to discover a copy of this film all alone, with no other examples of filmdom in the 1960s, I can only imagine what they would have thought of the civilization of the mid-20th century. How about, "they had great sport watching people get killed or maimed in car races." And another: "They didn't believe much in fidelity in marriage (four of the six leading characters are adulterous throughout)." And, "All race car drivers of that time were loose and carefree about sex." And finally, "They sure were terrible actors."
So, how is it that this film won three Academy Awards? Well, for sound and technical aspects all related to the car and racing scenes. Indeed, the only thing about this film that is any good at all (and that's not great, but good) is its racing cinematography and sound.
The plot is loosely connected throughout, the script is very choppy and poor, and the directing is not good at all. And, besides the notion of adultery and free sex throughout as part of the race-driving milieu, the acting is abominable by most of the cast. James Garner was 38 at the time but had several years of acting under his belt, with many fine films. In "Grand Prix," he appeared almost lifeless. Yves Montand was not as stiff, but still failed to show any life in his character – he was bland. Without a doubt, the worst performance of all was that of Eva Marie Saint. She too, had several good acting years behind her, including an Oscar performance in "On the Waterfront" a dozen years before. But this was hardly the same actress. In each scene she was in, it seemed as though there was a pause before she spoke, as though she had to read the cue card somewhere first. She had zero emotion in this film, and spoke in a monotone throughout.
In a year that had so many high quality films ("A Man for All Seasons," "The Sand Pebbles," "The Shop on Main Street," "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians are Coming," "Georgy Girl," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," "The Fortune Cookie," "Alfie," and others), Grand Prix was far off the mark.
For a really great racing movie – that really captures the feel of the sport – see "Le Mans." That sports car movie is devoid of the Hollywood distractions from the main subject (and consequently the poor script and acting) that take up far too much of the time and footage in "Grand Prix." Steve McQueen, another race-car driver and enthusiast, stars in "Le Mans" which was done just five years after this dud.
So, how is it that this film won three Academy Awards? Well, for sound and technical aspects all related to the car and racing scenes. Indeed, the only thing about this film that is any good at all (and that's not great, but good) is its racing cinematography and sound.
The plot is loosely connected throughout, the script is very choppy and poor, and the directing is not good at all. And, besides the notion of adultery and free sex throughout as part of the race-driving milieu, the acting is abominable by most of the cast. James Garner was 38 at the time but had several years of acting under his belt, with many fine films. In "Grand Prix," he appeared almost lifeless. Yves Montand was not as stiff, but still failed to show any life in his character – he was bland. Without a doubt, the worst performance of all was that of Eva Marie Saint. She too, had several good acting years behind her, including an Oscar performance in "On the Waterfront" a dozen years before. But this was hardly the same actress. In each scene she was in, it seemed as though there was a pause before she spoke, as though she had to read the cue card somewhere first. She had zero emotion in this film, and spoke in a monotone throughout.
In a year that had so many high quality films ("A Man for All Seasons," "The Sand Pebbles," "The Shop on Main Street," "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians are Coming," "Georgy Girl," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," "The Fortune Cookie," "Alfie," and others), Grand Prix was far off the mark.
For a really great racing movie – that really captures the feel of the sport – see "Le Mans." That sports car movie is devoid of the Hollywood distractions from the main subject (and consequently the poor script and acting) that take up far too much of the time and footage in "Grand Prix." Steve McQueen, another race-car driver and enthusiast, stars in "Le Mans" which was done just five years after this dud.