Steve McQueen - 1970 Le Mans start

[@42degreesouth]

Thanks for posting this clip. What memories. Like being in a time machine. Now 77 years old, I am the photographer (then only 28) running backwards and shooting in the first 14 seconds. When the production company decided that the non-pro photographer/extras over-dramatised, I was one of about 9 professional photographers hired to bring some authenticity to the pit scenes, When that opening scene was shot, I'd arrived on set from London, virtually half an hour before and been slotted straight into the scene by the director, Lee Katzin, still wearing the clothes I had been travelling in. I came to hate that outfit, especially that snake-skin belt because, for continuity, I then had to wear the same clothes for the next three months. Mind you, I shouldn't complain. We were very well-paid with liberal expenses (in cash in USD) and by keeping my cameras loaded, I still earn money from my photographs on that movie, to this very day.

[@JCDenton95]

wow...that is an incredible story, Mr. Walls. Thank you so much for sharing it on here.

[@ryanodonnell6748]

Wow... Got to be 1 of the comments I've ever read from a KZbin video.. Thanks for sharing with us all... Glad you still make some PAPER from your work.. Best wishes 👏👏👏 🍀

[@arjunmurali6548]

You had a wonderful professional life back then and now telling us that amaze me.

[@MrSstiel]

Remarkable story sir. Have you seen the film Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans?

[@42degreesouth]

Simon Stiel I have.

[@brycewilliams6542]

what a piece of cinematic perfection. Who needs a script... the script is the sights and sounds of some of the most beautiful and iconic race cars of all time. Absolutely love this movie.

[@michaelmeliambro5117]

LOL Except it's NOT a movie without a script, dummy!!!

[@SmithersJones]

Zero CGI, authentic competition cars, and arguably one of the best lead ups to the start of a race.

[@marshalloneill]

Seen this movie loads of times. Just epic. Does anybody else turn the sound up at the start? Can’t help it. Awesome cinematography. Awesome sound.😊

[@GBURGE55]

Oh yes, the sound of flat 12 917's & V12 512S. Mozart couldn't compose better sounds!

[@nigelphillips7405]

@@marshalloneill sound up every time.😁😁😁

[@spartanbr6884]

It was - and still is - the BEST car racing movie ever made. Period. Hollywood has been trying to top this movie ever since. Nothing else done later has come close.

[@j.s3300]

Rush

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

This is a fantastic movie. Saw it in my youth many times. Greets from the Netherlands 🌷, T.

[@svogender]

Yeah.. Same here... Cheers from Denmark..👍

[@raymondyee2008]

This scene was just plain epic. Very well done.

[@scottb5960]

This is a great clip. Steve McQueen’s race car can be seen on display at the just opened Brumos Museum in Jacksonville , Florida. It was auctioned off in 2017 for just over $14,000,000. Looks as good as new when I saw it at the Grand Opening.

[@jacksalami9945]

Wow!

[@michaelmeliambro5117]

And I should care, why????

[@SvenTviking]

@@michaelmeliambro5117You care enough to post a pointless comment.

[@michaelmeliambro5117]

@@SvenTviking .......out of protest against this type of content.......

[@AndrewDorsey27]

Its about to go up for sale again at the Mecum Kissimmee auction in a few weeks here. Id imagine it eclipses that $14mil

[@davidmcclellan9955]

Steve McQueen was a amazing actor in many movies

[@alvardiez838]

He was a racing driver so made the gratest car movies of all time

[@JamesHunt0207]

@@alvardiez838 👏👏👏

[@Caroni100]

@@JamesHunt0207 "I'm not sure if I'm an actor who drive race cars or if I´m a race driver who acts" "I don't believe in those false hero things" "I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth" "Races are life, everything that happens before or after is just waiting" “I have learned that life is a long and difficult road, but you must keep going, or you will have to fall by the wayside” "I live for myself and answer to no one" “I am one of those who challenge people. That appropriately challenges them, and their assumptions" “I am certainly not what people think I am. I always do what I want to do, and my films are personal to me" “Stardom equals financial success and financial success equals security. I have spent too much of my life feeling insecure" Steve McQueen Greetings from Venezuela

[@buddhaboy-]

No kidding?😂

[@24secondsperframe68]

My favourite piece of film and sound editing.

[@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503]

Talk about a time machine thumbnail.... Riverside International Raceway 1970s Los Angeles Times 24 hour Grand Prix of Endurance.... Serious racing going on! Eric Underwood Class of 81 Downey High school CA ✌️

[@rick_fortune]

One of the great scenes not only in motor racing film, but in film, period. Sets the scene beautifully.

[@cabby0120]

Racing is life. Everything that happens before or after is waiting. .. Steve McQueen, Le Mans 1970

[@justinsmith4941]

The heartbeating music really sets the scene

[@frankendreads]

Anyone who don’t find this film a classic, is not a racer or petrol head! Grew up loving this film Captured the moment in all races perfectly... Recently rewatched it after several decades... Loved every moment!

[@grumpyg9350]

I know for certain that I’ve watched this movie more than 500 times. Never gets old.😎

[@mikelumbreras4903]

Reminds me my childhood in my hometown Le Mans. Those guys like Mc S Queen & P Newman were real heroes for me. Had posters of this men and their race car covering the wallpaper in my bedroom. Time goes by but one's a year I can never miss those 24 h of Le Mans and praying for my heroes. Thanks for this upload. Have fun.

[@tsf5-productions]

For most auto racing fans of this type of racing cars...in fact, just about any auto racing...this is a real classic. It's "simple" ads of 50 years ago on cars & racing uniforms was just that - simple compared to the past 30 - 40 years that auto racing has been literally advertising and somewhat less on drivers and teams. Now, that's my opinion. The late, great Steve McQueen was 40 years old when he did this movie back in '70. It was released in the theaters during 1971. I, for some reason, never went to see it in a theater. I waited some years to see it before it showed on TV. I was very impressed with his driving. Though there seems to be little dialogue in the movie, if I remember, it did have car action. The centering on one of auto racing's best known motor products - Porsche - is great. Those cars - racing types & consumer type - have tops in the history of car manufactures. I take it that McQueen really enjoyed this movie. It's a shame that he was cast in some part in the 1966 "Grand Prix" movie with Jim Garner.

[@rotorhd2]

I was 15 when I saw this in the theater, I think I went back at least 5 times to watch it from the front row. Years later it was on TV, didn't look good. It was the sound, too! This movie is one of the few that affected my life...who cares about the story, but , I admit, Johann Ritter's wife was my first crush lol.

[@thedwightguy]

Garner mentions that McQueen was pretty choked about Garner putting "The Checkered Flag" together as a jump from McQ. plans to do a grand prix film. But McQueens EGO is the size of Brazil, so I really don't have that much sympathy for him!

[@jean-marcelgoger]

With John Sturges& Mac Keen, Le Mans film was a real success❤🎉🎉

[@Farus2007]

Scene that leaves the nerves on edge.

[@raymondromero6982]

The king of cool 😎.

[@rbmedd]

Such a great movie! When I saw this in my youth, I was dreaming of having a Porsche 914-6. Ended up getting a new 1972 914-4 for $4006 with an AM radio. But, I always wanted to be McQueen at that start!

[@MichaelStewart-y3u]

This and James garner in grand prix. 2 amazing classics..

[@Hellodarknessmyolefriend]

This is when racing was at its best.

[@robertaitken5922]

Thank you for bringing this fantasticvideo bring back fantastic memories

[@porkscratchings5428]

Just watched this, not much said, great footage and that was about it! I thought my tv was bust earlier losing sound but that was part of the film lol. I still enjoyed it, great to see Le Mans how I remembered it as a kid in the 70’s. Didn’t appreciate all the access to the pits, hanging out with the drivers who knew my father who worked in the industry back then.

[@chriscosby2459]

This is a great movie -- I saw it when it came out and I saw it again a couple of months ago. It stands the test of time.

[@celsoluismachadogarcez3576]

Assisti no cinema este filme no início dos anos 70 na minha pré-adolescência. Filme espetacular, cenas muito bem feitas. A tensão crescente dos momentos que antecedem a largada faz-nos sentir como piloto dentro do carro. Os acidentes filmados com precisão e depois repetidos em câmara lenta e a definição do vencedor na volta final é de tirar o fôlego. Um filme épico.

[@donlarocque5157]

I remember watching this at a drive in outside of Detroit. But, I was 5.

[@thomasb1889]

This like the eight minute start to Once Upon a Time in the West and could be a short movie on its own.

[@ianburrell9116]

Nice one rob!......to be a part of the greatest race movie ever.....WOW.......very lucky guy!!

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

This scene and movie is a moment in time. Unique. Unrepeatable.

[@sagatuppercut2960]

When I was a kid, I LOVED the Lola race cars of the 1960s & 1970s. I wish I had one today.

[@carlosbrites8201]

Epic times,Epic Actor Thanks.

[@janetyer7147]

Four minutes in is the cameo appearance of number 40, class winner underdog VW-Porsche 914/6 GT. The understated external appearance belied the high performance exhibited in that 24 hours of racing, finishing first in class and sixth overall.

[@gtracer6629]

1970 when this film came in I drove at my first endurance race. It was a 4-Hour race at some point West Virginia. I drove a Corvette and we finished quite well. From that race I fell in love with endurance racing. This movie along with Grand Prix were my inspirations. The following year I get involved with IMSA and the Camel GT series. Nothing like the 24-hour but they were good clean competition. My lifelong dream was to drive at LeMans. U00nfortunately I never made it. I found out what it cost to do that and that didn't fit in my reality

[@gtracer6629]

That's Summit Point West Virginia

[@Iamrichilf]

Happy 90. B day Steve

[@mojmirudatny1112]

legendary movie in Golden Era of 24 Hours LeMans , fantastis and best famous racing car in all the time , all history - of motorsport - Porsche 917 K - and with him Top Speed in Hunaudieres more than 380 Kilometers !!! And Steve McQueen ( 1930 - 1980 ) - my childrens idol , no many words but more fantastic experiences ... Hi Steve and never forgotten

[@oscarrasadore7120]

Uno de mis idolos y un actor supremo

[@DeickFranfan]

Another of my favorite movies from the legend Steven McQueen, I love these golden classics as I would have liked time to have frozen in those years, especially for the good manufacturing and applied and assertive engineering for those times 🤩👍💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎

[@TimothyHall-r9q]

remember this movie when i was a kid!! now im going on 68

[@jacksalami9945]

Great video. Thank you my Son !

[@jessejuliano5336]

What a shame we never got to watch him grow old and grey with time

[@TwistedCantQuickscope]

What an absolute opening start of the movie.

[@simonbarker4017]

I met Brian Redman at Le Mans with this 917 and the told me the tale of how he came to own it for peanuts as he winched it back into the trailer. Up for sale next month for a bit more😂

[@PLUMPTONFILM]

Watched it one night and did not realise it was in some foreign language ( to me) until the first pit stop . Was so tied up watching the scenes and the car sounds🤣

[@teresapuppo1388]

The King of Cool😍

[@caymanista2906]

Mi sono innamorato della Porsche dopo la 1000 km di Monza quando c erano i fratelli Rodtiguez e dopo questo film

[@fredbuckles919]

Fantastic movie, fantastic plot, fantastic acting, fantastic cars. Generally, cars are cars even expensive ego strokers; but, PORSCHE is the Automobile above all else.

[@liberatetutemeexinferis5902]

The Porsche 917 looks so sexy.

[@Carlos-r5n2b]

Best looking, sounding racecar for 55 yrs JMO

[@neilalbaugh4793]

Just to add a note- the Team Manager of those Gulf Racing Porsche 917s, John Horsman, died two years ago. He was a great source of information about the movie. RIP, John.

[@donnewton415]

Always loved that shot of the #40 Sonnato 914. Raced one for a very long time, before I had to hang it up. This movie hooked (ruined) me for life on Porsche. Still own my original purchase 1983 911 (just drove it today!) and the 914. I blame Steve McQueen.

[@vintagestereocollector4159]

Steve is the king of Racing

[@32ModB]

The sound of the 20th century (earth) burning♥️

[@chilliwilli4971]

God, I love this short. Greatest racing movie ever made. Car guy movie made by car guys. Love "Grand Prix" too, but it is 2nd to this. "Rush" and "Ford vs. Ferrari" next in line. There are some others out there too, but these are the top four racing movies ever made (IMHO)..

[@stevethomas760]

McQueen's 917 is going up for auction at the Mecum Kissimmee Florida 1/25. Should bring the big bucks. At the '20 Mecum Kissimmee sold the Bullit Mustang for 3.4M. Both are incredible pieces of automobile history.

[@guidotorrejunior6928]

Viveu 50 anos, apenas, porém, intensamente, quisera muitos terem tido uma vida igual. A vida que valeu a pena

[@marioa-b5345]

Iconic,legende

[@chuckfrost5624]

Their mistake was to make this as dramatic Hollywood film. They should have made it as a 90 minute racing documentory. This is why the film flopped at the box office. Steve did a great job, as he always does.Steve McQueen had that natural charisma, you either have or you don't. The film only works for die hard racing fans.

[@luizalbertorodrigues4560]

Great actor

[@Caroni100]

Descanse En Paz Elga Andersen (2 de Febrero 1935 - 7 de Diciembre 1994) Nacida Helga Hymen en Dortmund, Alemania. Actriz y cantante. Huerfana de padre desde su niñez por causa de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, a sus 16 años abandonó la escuela secundaria y se empleó como intérprete de inglés y francés para ayudar económicamente a su madre. Trabajó en más de doce películas francesas durante los años 50 y 60. En 1958 actuó en "Buenos días, tristeza / Bonjour Tristesse" dirigida por Otto Preminger, quien le puso el nombre artístico de "Elga Andersen" Cantó los temas "Treu Sein" y "Sundenlied" en el clásico film bélico "Los cañones de Navarone" (1961) Junto a su segundo esposo, Peter Gimbel, participó en una expedición de buceo a los restos sumergidos del SS Andrea Doria en 1981. Descanse En Paz Siegfried Rauch (2 de Abril 1932 - 11 de Marzo 2018) Actor alemán quien inicialmente quiso ser arquitecto, vino al mundo en Landsberg am Lech, Alemania. Su formación e inicio fue en el teatro y luego incursionó en el cine. Uno de sus papeles más recordados es el del Capitán Oskar Steiger en "Patton" (1970) También escribió varios libros, entre ellos "Unser Le Mans, Steve McQueen - Der Film Die Freundschaft Die Fakten" (2016) acerca de su amistad con Steve McQueen, quien fue padrino de su hijo. En 2017 fue premiado con la "Medalla del Estado Libre de Baviera" Saludos desde Venezuela Rest in peace Elga Andersen (February 2, 1935 - December 7, 1994) Born Helga Hymen in Dortmund, Germany. Actress and singer. Without a father since childhood due to World War II, at the age of 16 she dropped out of high school and took a job as an English and French interpreter to help her mother financially. She worked in more than twelve French films during the 50s and 60s. In 1958 she acted in "Good morning, sadness / Bonjour Tristesse" directed by Otto Preminger, who gave her the stage name "Elga Andersen" She sang the songs "Treu Sein" and "Sundenlied" in the classic war film "The Guns of Navarone" (1961) Together with her second husband, Peter Gimbel, she participated in a diving expedition to the submerged remains of the SS Andrea Doria in 1981. Rest in peace Siegfried Rauch (April 2, 1932 - March 11, 2018) A German actor who initially wanted to be an architect, he came to the world in Landsberg am Lech, Germany. His training and start was in the theater and then he ventured into the cinema. One of his most remembered roles is that of Captain Oskar Steiger in "Patton" (1970) He also wrote several books, including "Unser Le Mans, Steve McQueen - Der Film Die Freundschaft Die Fakten" (2016) about his friendship with Steve McQueen, who was his godfather´s son. In 2017 he was awarded the "Bavarian Free State Medal" Greetings from Venezuela

[@anthonyleighton4754]

A true passion project...not much of a story....but the cars and racing action were superb,...

[@hawlikd]

The King of Kool . . . !

[@JohnSanJuan-zp1ed]

Steve McQueen was a good driver.

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

Monster cars and engines.

[@radekfuris1942]

Dobrý film.

[@CarDudes1]

✌They say as ornery as McQueen was, he was one of the better actors of his time and fit the characters well in many movies.

[@spittinvenom9843]

Nice watch

[@msdsinc.2194]

Our #40 Sonauto 9146gt way back there on starting grid>> but finished P1 in gt class/ 6th overall 🏁

[@marcushinze1347]

Super. Unerreichbar.

[@frankbutta9344]

I’m 61, and I loved the older cars of this era. Having said that, the pollutants spewing from the exhaust always made me nauseous. I had an anemic 1965 Mustang in 1977, and a monster 1970 Boss 302 in 1978. I drive a Miata now, but have just as much fun.

[@williambush7971]

That car is being auctioned at Mecum in Kissimmee Fl. in Jan. of 2025. It will go for millions.

[@gilbertodeangelis997]

Troppo forte steve

[@JoaoOliveira-hb7gi]

Steve McQueen, sempre esteve vários degraus a mais.

[@KD-oi9sk]

The 2024 start is going to be as crazy as this..

[@eduardoleandro5651]

A legend. My ídols are gone

[@gartwilliams3347]

McQueen’s Porsche 917 comes up for auction at Mecum Kissimmee!

[@tangerinedream7211]

The number 40 Porsche went the whole race on the same set of tyres.

[@davidbrown8517]

No it didn't

[@spartiate13]

Steve Mc Queen 🟦⬜🟥

[@dickiesmith3283]

Introduce the cars Get to Deleany Everything stops Heart beat fades in Gets louder Louder Flags moving Clocks ticking Closer to 4pm Closer Heart stops beating Starts thumping Faster Faster Heart stops thumping Starts motoring. Flag is up. Everything silenced Flag drops BANG!!!

[@miguelangel.5488]

❤️

[@hoonaticbloggs5402]

Sounds better than a e-tron or a diesel

[@tr7b410]

The film;Ford vs Ferrari is a great biopic about this race.

[@has4896]

SteveMacquin 😂best movie BULITE

[@Pilotc180]

Stienfield owns that 917 Porsche now and turned down a 23 million dollar bid yesterday 1-18-25

[@Nighthawke70]

I noticed that all Gulf Oil Porsche 917's had the numbers of the Mercedes cars at the 1955 Le Mans: 20, 21, and 22.

[@marks7197]

They weren't though, Mercedes were 19, 20 and 21. One of Briggs Cunningham's cars was no. 22 in 1955.

[@Anas_Anaqi]

The first year they stopped doing the classic run start

[@mikedelta9590]

Do imagine the same scenery with e-powered engines in 2024... 🤯

[@precioustraveler]

If the director, Steve McQueen (Hunger, Shame, 12 Years a Slave) is not working on a biopic of the actor, Steve McQueen, starring Micheal Fassbender, then what are they even doing with their careers? Come on guys. Get it done!

[@TheSeafordian]

When did they stop having the drivers run to the cars at the start?

[@jean-charlesperret7682]

Mc Queen stay in France une idole for us!

[@jimgracey3822]

Ironic, watched this earlier today.

[@gregoryshore9878]

The most beautiful woman in the world at 3:05 in this clip. Elga. Makes the 917 look plain.

[@joseluizpagliaro4022]

É 10!!!

[@TheJagjr4450]

This Car is coming up for sale in January 2025 at Mecum Florida... Jerry Seinfeld is the current owner, it still has the camera mounts in it.

[@tayzer22]

The Stig suits up...

[@stidesheaven]

Ah yes, the Porsche Fighter Jet.

[@Kelly14UK]

Heart palpitations along the lines of 02:18 >

[@davidbrown8517]

The iconic Gulf liveried 917 never won Le Mans except in the Steve McQueen film. Helmut Marko of Red Bull fame won Le Mans in a Porsche 917.