I recently saw Le Mans all the way through for the first time, and I was very impressed. The film has often been called 'documentary-like', for its attention to detail and the feel of the film, but it is much more than that. The film is more about making you feel as if you are actually there - as if you are one of the drivers taking part in this 24 hour endurance race. Compared to an average film, Le Mans has very little dialogue. What there is mostly comes from the Race Track Commentator who gives us some background and takes us through what is happening on the track and in the pits. Some of the cars in the race are similar models, but you never lose track of who is who thanks to his updating. To be honest, the film doesn't need much dialogue - and Steve McQueen's presence does enough talking. In fact, many of the character's exchanges take place with just looks.

However, the on-track action - and there's plenty of it - is the reason to watch this film. You'd think that with the percentage of the film that's made up of racing it would get boring after a while, but director Lee Katzin keeps the footage fresh, playing with speeds, camera techniques and racing conditions to keep our attention. It's a testament to him and the editing and cinematography of the film that we're still as fired up at the end of the race as we are at the beginning. And what a beginning it is. The film brings you in slowly, from the dawning of the morning and the individual drivers arriving, to the crowds settling down, and finally into the build-up to the roaring race start. It's great stuff.

I saw about 15 minutes of this film on TV when I was quite young and remember getting annoyed at some of the filming techniques - particularly the occasional periods of silence through the crashes. However, coming back and watching the film again, I can plainly see why it was done. The crashes are some of the most powerful parts of the film and the way they're filmed blew me away. I would take this kind of thing over similar moments in almost any racing film made since.

(MINIMAL SPOILER) I also liked the fact that the 'romance' between the male/female leads was not rushed at all, almost just hinted at - the race is the star here, not the people. I can see why the time taken between them may be frustrating to some people, but I found it to be fairly realistic. It's not likely that they would just fall into bed - especially given the character's unusual relationship. (END SPOILER)

If you're looking for a racing film, give this one a try. It's a little different, and it is all the better for it.