Subtitles:

English, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Japanese, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, none

Extras:

Racing-car buffs will probably flip over "Le Mans." The color photography of this film, encompassing every conceivable technical aspect of this world-famous competition, is dazzling. Thanks to director Lee H. Katzin and his semi-documentary framework, and to a pair of ace cameramen, you are really there, roaring around the road web centering on Le Mans, the French village hub.

And let's say this for Steve McQueen, a noted speed wheeler off the screen: The actor, who is the only familiar name in the cast, looks perfectly at home behind his wheel here.

Excerpt from Howard Thompson of the NY Times located HERE

Le Mans explores the intense and thrilling world of endurance racing as seen through the eyes of Michael Delaney (Steve McQueen) who is participating in the 24 Heures du Mans, a yearly event in France. The race is commonly referred to as the Grand Prix of Endurance and it's the oldest endurance race in motor sports. Due to the high speeds and length of the race some of the deadliest crashes in motor history have taken place during this annual event. Le Mans examines how a deadly accident has affected driver Michael Delaney and impairs his budding relationship with the widow (Elga Andersen) of another racer. Yet, the film's slim script leaves little room for story or character development; instead, the real focus is on the race itself and how it's experienced by the men who participate in it and the women who support them.

Excerpt from TCM located HERE

Image :    NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Colors were one of the most notable characteristics of Le Mans when it Premiered theatrically 40-years ago and it is still a distinguishing factor via Blu-ray today - from Paramount. The image quality shows grain in a pleasing proportion and while there is not a lot of sharpness - this seems to be more in-line with the style it was shot. The textures here are wonderful for the dynamic sections of the filmed race.  This is dual-layered with a solid bitrate. Contrast exhibits healthy, rich black levels and the colors are impressive. There are a lot of daylight scenes and these add a layer of vérité to the spectacle. This Blu-ray has a nice thick feel and easily advances beyond any SD editions. This is a film where the preferable method or presentation would be positively be 1080P where is it brings out the best attributes of Le Mans.

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio is wild on this Blu-ray. Along with the option of the original mono in lossless - as well as uncompressed DUBs - we get a rip-roaring DTS-HD Master 7.1 at 4927 kbps which will tear through your home theater like you are on an active airport runway. Films 'back then' knew how not to be excessive with the effects and this supports the film so well as your heart rate rises and climbs with the action. Impressive in both depth and range this, surely, is the way Le Mans was meant to sound. There are optional subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

Extras :

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
Le Mans is definitely a film that benefits from the hi-def upgrade - especially true of the aggressive audio segments. What a spectacle! I was caught right up in this film which I *don't think* I have ever seen before - certainly I have never viewed it as penetrating, and memorable, as this. The Blu-ray offers an impressive presentation, well beyond the scope of car buffs, and we certainly recommend! 

Gary Tooze

May 17th, 2011