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Great Grand Prix Heroes
(10 DVD Disc Set)
Region 2/4 PAL Version - Brand New
DVD
FEATURES:
Description:
This important new series,
narrated by Sir Stirling Moss, recalls the real personalities of an
amazing era, the men whose antics on and off the track made them
heroes to millions and not always just to race fans. Created by
Brunswick Films, which was behind the 1970-79 Grand Prix Collection,
each DVD profiles a racing great, with action footage and period
interviews from the Brunswick archive which reveal why these names
still cause excitement today. They are not detailed life stories,
but celebrations of the driving skills and colourful characters
which defined a motor racing era.
This exquisite box set features 10 DVDs recalling some of the
greatest characters in Formula One history they weren t all World
Champions, but they were all Grand Prix Heroes. The series comes
from Brunswick Films, the same team behind the acclaimed 1970s
Formula One reviews, and features archive action footage, rare
interviews and film from behind-the-scenes as we remember why these
legends became GP greats. Includes: Clay Regazzoni Ronnie Peterson
Jackie Stewart Emerson Fittipaldi Peter Revson Niki Lauda James Hunt
Mario Andretti Jody Scheckter Frank Williams
Clay Regazzoni
Flamboyant, determined and wonderfully talented, it is little
wonder Regazzoni was a favourite among fans. His control of a
Formula One car could be masterful, almost to the point of
genius, but he had an infuriating habit of throwing it all
away with victory in sight. Inconsistency prevented Regazzoni
winning the Formula One World Championship, but his
always-exciting driving ensured his place as a Grand Prix
Hero. Evocative archive footage reminds us of the highs, and
lows, of a decade-long Grand Prix career which marked the
Swiss great out as something special. Alongside period
interviews with Regazzoni, this is a treasure trove of
action-packed racing film, starting with his debut, at the
Dutch Grand Prix, with Ferrari. Sir Stirling Moss narrates as
we recall the days of genius, including his maiden Grand Prix
win (in his first year, in a Ferrari and at Monza no less),
the victory at the Nurburgring in 1974, considered by many to
be his finest win, his graceful, faultless drive at Long Beach
in 1976 and one of his most incredible days – recovering from
16th to finish second on the narrow streets of Monaco in 1979.
Regazzoni will be remembered for securing the Williams team
its first win, becoming a darling of the passionate Tifosi,
coming within just a handful of points of the title in 1974
and the remarkable feat of being re-hired by the great Enzo
Ferrari just a year after being sacked! These wonderful
memories are all featured. We also recall the dark days,
including his battles with an unreliable BRM in 1973, spinning
out of the lead of the 1974 Monaco Grand Prix and the crash at
Long Beach in 1980 which left him paralysed. Notably, this
programme includes the horrific crash at the 1973 South
African Grand Prix which almost cost Regazzoni his life.
Alongside the footage, we hear from Mike Hailwood, who risked
his own safety to pull the unconscious drivers from his
stricken car. Typically, Regazzoni was racing again just seven
weeks later, and with an even stronger ‘devil may care’
attitude. As much as his artistry on the track, it was his
personality off it that won fans. Seemingly always with a
broad smile beneath his trademark moustache, Regazzoni could
be relied upon to liven up any situation – how many men would
mark crashing out of a race by punching a policeman? Although
never a champion, Regazzoni was a real Grand Prix Hero. |
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Emerson Fittipaldi
During a long and illustrious career Fittipaldi was twice
crowned Formula One World Champion. The statistics are
impressive, but it was the way in which he overcame setbacks
and fierce rivals in faster cars that marked him out as a
Grand Prix Hero. This fascinating programme examines the
Brazilian legend’s road to becoming double World Champion,
with breathtaking archive footage, interviews with ‘Emo’ and a
rare chance to listen in on team talks and race strategy at
key moments. From the moment he burst onto the Grand Prix
scene with Lotus, including his 1970 British Grand Prix debut,
to the tension-packed final race of the 1974 season where
Emerson snatched the title, this DVD, with narration by Sir
Stirling Moss, is filled with action-packed racing film and
Fittipaldi’s own thoughts on the cars, rivals and races –
including revealing the ‘most difficult’ Grand Prix of his
career. The tragic death of Jochen Rindt promoted Fittipaldi
to Lotus team leader for 1971 and it proved a tough season,
although we witness moments of genius, like his drive back
from 17th to 3rd at the French Grand Prix. In 1972 he became
the youngest World Champion ever – a record he held for almost
30 years – and we are treated to his calm, controlled driving
style at classic circuits like Jarama, Brands Hatch, Monza and
the Österreichring. The drama continued in 1973, and we see
his title defence start with an unforgettable home victory at
the very first Brazilian Grand Prix. It ultimately proved a
season to forget, nowhere more so than at Zandvoort, where a
practice crash left him in agony – the pre-qualifying warning
about painkillers having the same affect as ‘one whiskey’
reminds us what a different world Grand Prix Racing was in the
1970s! The programme concludes with dramatic racing and
revealing interviews from throughout 1974, a definitive year
in Emo’s career. He switched to McLaren and despite not having
the fastest car and racing wheel-to-wheel with the charging
Niki Lauda for most of the season, his thoughtful and mature
approach to winning a championship brought him the title at
the very last round. With four races to run, Fittipaldi was
lying fourth in the championship standings – but his
never-say-die commitment ensured he was there at the bitter
end, and guaranteed his place as a Grand Prix Hero. |
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Frank Williams
Sir Frank Williams CBE, the driving force behind one of the
most successful Formula One teams in Grand Prix history.
Success has made him a legend, but it was his determined
battle against the odds which first made him a Grand Prix
Hero. In this film, narrated by Sir Stirling Moss, we remember
the star drivers who played their part in the story of the
Williams Grand Prix team, including Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost,
Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve and Nelson
Piquet. However, the focus in on the early years and the
turbulent decade before Williams enjoyed his first World
Championship victory. Spectacular archive footage, interviews
and rarely-seen ‘behind-the-scenes’ access follow the journey
from backmarker to frontrunner as Frank Williams guides his
eponymous team through tragedy, unreliability, financial
strife and, ultimately, victory. There’s action from
throughout the 1970s and, of course, the World
Championship-winning 1980 Formula One season. Alongside
dramatic racing from classic circuits including Monaco,
Kyalami, Spa-Francorchamps, Brands Hatch, Montjuich and many
more, we chart the story of the early years of struggle, when
the team only had enough cash to survive race-to-race and with
a seemingly constantly changing line-up of ‘pay drivers’. The
turn in fortune came in 1977, with the formation of the team
we recognise today, and technical genius Patrick Head at its
heart. The film recalls the emotionally-charged first victory
in 1979, and the highlights of 1980, including the stunning
drive by Alan Jones at Paul Ricard and the title-winning
one-two at the Canadian Grand Prix – delivering the success
Frank Williams had battled for a decade to achieve. Throughout
there are period contributions from Williams, plus, as the
championship fight reaches its climax in 1980, we listen in on
the team in the pits at Zandvoort and Imola. It is a
fascinating insight into the workings of the early Williams
team, and reveals the hands-on dedication of Frank Williams
which drove the team to staggering success, making him a Grand
Prix Hero. |
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Ronnie Peterson
During a Formula One career cut tragically short, Peterson
experienced the full range of motorsport’s highs and lows.
Despite never truly delivering his full potential, the Swede’s
natural talent, astonishing car control and easy-going
personality ensured his status as a Grand Prix Hero.
Incredible archive footage from throughout his Formula One
career demonstrates an enormous talent which was stifled by
under-performing cars and team orders. What shines through in
the action-packed race film is Peterson’s extraordinary
ability behind the wheel, and in short interviews and
overheard conversations in the pits, an affable and likeable
man. From his debut at the 1970 Monaco Grand Prix to the
shocking scenes of confusion after the crash which ultimately
cost his life, we remember one of racing’s most gifted
talents. With narration by Sir Stirling Moss, we are treated
to glorious footage of Peterson drifting his way around
legendary circuits including Spa Francorchamps, Zandvoort,
Watkins Glen, the Nurburgring, Anderstorp and many more. We
share the frustrations of his maiden year in an uncompetitive
privately-entered March, the ups and downs of the works March
years, the switch to Lotus in 1973 which brought so much
initial success and on that fateful final year in 1978.
Reunited with Colin Chapman and armed with the bets machinery
available, all that stood between him and the long-awaited
World Championship glory was Mario Andretti, the teammate he
had agreed to play support to. He showed his talents with
victory when possible and dutiful second places when required,
and his class in playing the number two role despite appearing
the more able racing driver. This evocative story came to an
horrific end at Monza that year, a terrible conclusion to the
hopes of a true Grand Prix Hero. |
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Jackie Stewart
As a Formula One statesman and tireless safety campaigner, Sir
Jackie Stewart OBE is an important figure in motorsport. This
action-packed programme reminds us of the brilliant and
fearless racer whose dominance first made him a Grand Prix
Hero. Stunning archive footage transports us to the great
racetracks of the early 1970s to witness the races which
assured Stewart his place in motorsport folklore. This
fascinating reappraisal of a legendary career, which brought
27 wins from just 99 Grand Prix starts and three World
Championships, also includes rarely heard period interviews,
important off-track film and even a run-in with a youthful Max
Mosley! With narration by Sir Stirling Moss, we see Stewart
with his trademark long hair, big sunglasses and Beatles-style
cap climbing into the familiar bright blue Tyrrell and
battling wheel-to-wheel with great names like Fittipaldi,
Brabham, Peterson, Ickx and Regazzoni. There is breathtaking
colour race footage from Monaco, Spa Francorchamps, Montjuic
Park, Paul Ricard, Zandvoort, Mosport and many more of the
world’s greatest circuits. As we revisit the great races,
including Stewart’s domination of the 1971 British Grand Prix,
we also hear him in team talks with Ken Tyrrell and Derek
Gardner, briefing Formula 3 drivers on safety, demanding track
improvements from officials and in interviews – notably
including one record as he drove a Rolls Royce around the
Nurburgring in 1973. Stewart’s brave crusade for safety in the
face of strong opposition was reflective of his bravery behind
the wheel. Although a vocal critic of racing at the deadly
Nurburgring and in dangerous conditions like heavy rain,
Stewart remained a thorough professional and mercurial driver
– just witness his domination of the 1971 German GP and
mastery of the rain in Canada that same year. The tragic death
of teammate and friend Francois Cevert meant what should have
been a 100 Grand Prix career ended after 99 races, but that
was enough for this colourful, intelligent, dedicated Scot to
make an indelible mark on Formula One, and become a true Grand
Prix Hero. |
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Peter Revson
The title of his autobiography, Speed with Style, perfectly
describes hobby-driver turned Formula One race winner Revson.
As he built a stunningly successful American racing career
during the 1960s, Revson flirted with Formula One – but it was
in the 1970s he set his sights on becoming a Grand Prix Hero.
Spectacular archive footage and revealing period interviews
allow us to reassess the cool and dashing American whose rich
playboy reputation could not mask his talent behind the wheel,
or his will to win. After sporadic Formula One appearances,
including the 1971 race at Watkins Glen featured in this
programme, Revson committed himself to his first full Grand
Prix season in 1972, driving for McLaren. Action-packed film
from throughout the year lets us share the American’s journey
as he steadily improves, claiming his first podium and the
incredible race against Emerson Fittipaldi at Mosport during
the Canadian Grand Prix. His dedication brought more results
in 1973, including his only Grand Prix wins. Excellent footage
shows Revson in action at Montjuic Park, Zolder, Monaco, the
Nurburging and other classic circuits as battles to make his
mark on Formula One. The massive pile-up during the 1973
British Grand Prix, captured in this programme, set the scene
for Revson’s first Grand Prix victory after a dramatic drive.
His second, and last, victory came in the controversy-hit
Canada later in the year when a safety car was deployed in
Formula One for the first time. Throughout, we hear from
Revson himself, as he reflects on life in racing,
relationships, rivals, backmarkers and, poignantly, safety. He
also assesses his own natural talents with searing honesty,
but he is perhaps too modest. As the stunning race footage in
this programme shows, Revson had a bright future, a future cut
tragically short at Kyalami at the start of 1974. His life may
have ended too soon, but Revson’s short Formula One career was
enough to make him a Grand Prix Hero. |
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Niki Lauda
Niki Lauda’s heroic return from life-threatening injury made
him a global sporting superstar, but for Formula One fans it
was his lightning speed, supreme skills and utter domination
which, as much as his bravery, that made him a Grand Prix
Hero. Archive race action, rarely-seen testing footage and
period interviews with Lauda himself recall the highs land
lows of a stunning and inspirational career, including film of
his very first Grand Prix outing in his native Austria in
1971. Although results with March in 1972 and BRM the
following year were disappointing, Lauda did enough to attract
the attention of Ferrari, and a race seat for 1974. With
commentary by Sir Stirling Moss, we enjoy action from those
early, challenging days, and Lauda’s move to the front with
the Prancing Horse – including his first Grand Prix win.
There’s also action from Monaco, Zolder, Anderstorp and
Zandvoort as Lauda dominates the 1975 season on his way to the
World Championship. There’s race footage from the dramatic
1976 season, including the fiery Nurburging crash which it was
feared at the time would claim the champion’s life. However,
Lauda was racing again just six weeks later, and we see his
brave return at Monza, as well as the Japanese Grand Prix
where Lauda, still battling with his injuries, lost the
championship by a single point. More amazing than his rapid
return to action, was the speed with which he regained his
world-beating form, and race action from throughout 1977
records his dominant journey to a second World Championship.
His switch to Brabham for 1978 saw the first stage of his
Grand Prix career fade out, although there were unforgettable
moments – including the Swedish victory in the controversial
BT46B ‘Fan Car’! In addition, we join Lauda for a 1976 Ferrari
test session and five years later as he comes out of
retirement to test for McLaren at Donington. Footage from the
McLaren session provides a fascinating insight into the
decisive moment which saw Lauda return to racing and, in 1984,
score his third Formula One World Championship, cementing his
place as a true Grand Prix Hero. |
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James Hunt
Charming, handsome, irreverent, tenacious and an outstanding
talent, Hunt had everything it took to become one of England’s
most famous sportsmen and a household. However, it was his
dogged determination and epic battles with Niki Lauda which
made him a Grand Prix Hero. Glorious archive footage shows us
the great racer in action, while rare interviews remind us of
the cheeky quips and trademark broad grin. There’s dramatic
racing film from his debut at the 1973 Monaco Grand Prix right
through to the Formula One World Championship-decided Japanese
Grand Prix in 1976, with narration throughout from Sir
Stirling Moss. Despite a reputation which earned him the
nickname ‘Hunt the Shunt’, Lord Hesketh signed up the young
Brit for an assault on Formula One. We are treated to footage
from that first year, including Hunt’s maiden podium at the
Dutch Grand Prix, and action from 1974, when Hunt, with Harvey
Postlethwaite’s Hesketh 308 at his disposal could manage only
three podium finishes. The 1975 season also proved tough for
the team, but the highlight came at Zandvoort when Hunt scored
his first, and Hesketh’s only, Grand Prix win – and archive
footage lets us share the epic battle with Lauda. In 1976 came
a move to McLaren and one of the most fascinating and
turbulent season’s of Formula One racing. Lauda’s Ferrari led
the way with a domination which would have broken the spirit
of most contenders. Not Hunt. Neither was his ambition stifled
by controversies such as disqualification from two GP wins or
a grid penalty ‘mistake’. Hunt kept the pressure on and at the
final race of the year he was just 3 points behind Lauda,
still carrying the scars of his horrific crash in Germany.
Some say Hunt won his World Championship be default, due to
Lauda’s crash, but the spectacular and determined racing in
this DVD shows he was a worthy winner, and a true Grand Prix
Hero. |
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Mario Andretti
During a career spanning five decades, Andretti proved himself
one of the fastest, most versatile and most determined racing
drivers ever. A winner in NASCAR, Indycar and sportscar, his
determination to master Formula One made the American a Grand
Prix Hero. Spectacular archive footage follows Andretti’s
Grand Prix adventure from the frustrating early days through
to the glory of the World Championship. Alongside
action-packed racing film, we are treated to rarely-heard
interviews with Andretti, team talk from the pits and period
contributions from Lotus genius Colin Chapman. With narration
by Sir Stirling Moss, we witness the early struggles with an
unreliable March and the move to Ferrari in 1971 which would
bring Andretti his first Grand Prix win, on his debut with the
Prancing Horse. His refusal to give up on his Formula One
dream despite numerous setbacks made him a hero to fans, and
we recall in action footage and interviews Andretti’s decision
to renew his World Championship assault in 1974 with the
all-American Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing team. When the
unsuccessful relationship soured, Andretti remained committed
to adding the Formula One World Championship to his list of
achievements, and soon found a new home with Chapman at Lotus.
Stunning colour footage recalls the highlights of the Lotus
years as Andretti finally had the machinery to prove himself:
the Lotus 77, 78 and legendary 79, a masterpiece of
engineering which would bring the team victory after victory
and finally deliver Andretti the crown he had chased for a
decade. Witness the undoubted determination to win in epic
race footage from such iconic circuits as Zandvoort, the
Nurburgring, Kyalami, Long Beach, Jarama and Zolder, plus the
fiery end to Andretti’s race at Monaco in 1975, his dramatic
clash with James Hunt at Zandvoort and the final Formula One
win of a true Grand Prix Hero. |
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Jody Scheckter
In the early days of his career, Scheckter earned a reputation
as the controversial wild man of Formula One, always committed
to driving flat out. However, it was precisely this passion to
win, and his determination to overcome any challenge, which
made him a Grand Prix Hero. In wonderful colour race footage,
we relive the highlights of a tumultuous Grand Prix career in
which the South African charger repeatedly defied his critics
to produce stunning drives against the odds, and in the
hardest of conditions. Plus, rarely seen period interviews are
interwoven with Scheckter’s recollections to reveal the truth
behind the headline-making moments. With narration by Sir
Stirling Moss, the footage begins with Scheckter’s first full
Formula One season, as a fresh-faced 23-yeard-old at McLaren
in 1973. The controversial clash with Emerson Fittipaldi and
the spin which triggered a multi-car pile-up at the British
Grand Prix are both featured, but so are the outstanding
drives which saw him leading races in his maiden season. His
move to Tyrrell in 1974 brought the challenge of trying to
replace the great Jackie Stewart, but Scheckter shrugged off
the pressure to take his first win, and we enjoy the
highlights of his three-year Tyrrell career – including
getting to grips with the legendary six-wheel P34, and giving
that bold innovation its only victory, in Sweden in 1976. A
fresh challenge came in 1977 when Scheckter amazed the paddock
by switching to the struggling private Walter Wolf Racing
team, but, once again, he proved the doubters wrong and took
victories – his Monaco drive against the hard-charging Ferrari
of Niki Lauda is one of the spectacular highlights of this
film. This celebration concludes with the crowning glory of
Scheckter’s Formula One career, his move to Ferrari in 1979
and World Championship victory. Once again, success only came
after a battle, this time with the great Gilles Villeneuve. We
witness the pair in action at Zolder, Monaco, Zandvoort and,
of course, Monza, where Scheckter secured his title by leading
home a Ferrari one-two in front of the adoring Tifosi, and
sealing his place as a Grand Prix Hero. |
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Number of discs: 10
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