Best racing movie for sound?

[darien87]

Hey all,

I just realized that I don't have any racing DVD's. (Pretty strange since I'm such a car nut). What is the best racing movie out there for sound? Please don't mention anything with the words "Fast" and "Furious" in the title. I HATE that rice-rocket crap. The only thing that would make me watch that Tokyo Drift movie is to see some hot Japanese chicks. (I LOVE Asian women).

Anyway, I digress. I was thinking Days of Thunder, but that's so old, I don't know how the mix is on that DVD. Have they done a re-mix and re-release like they did with Top Gun?

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Hey all,

I just realized that I don't have any racing DVD's. (Pretty strange since I'm such a car nut). What is the best racing movie out there for sound? Please don't mention anything with the words "Fast" and "Furious" in the title. I HATE that rice-rocket crap. The only thing that would make me watch that Tokyo Drift movie is to see some hot Japanese chicks. (I LOVE Asian women).

Anyway, I digress. I was thinking Days of Thunder, but that's so old, I don't know how the mix is on that DVD. Have they done a re-mix and re-release like they did with Top Gun?

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks.

IIRC Days of Thunder had a decent, not great, soundtrack. It is also a great racing movie, "rubbing is racing." Also check out the IMAX movie, Super Speedway, definately a must have. Off the top of my head, I really don't recall any really other watchable racing movies with a good soundtrack. I mean, there were either good movies with bad sound or bad movies with good sound (like Driven, I had heard). Someone told me the ESPN movie about Dale Earnhardt (?3?) had good sound, but I haven't seen it personally, so I really can't say. Also, the chase scene from Bullit with Steve McQueen was pretty impressive for an older movie, you could almost feel the engine in the car.

I'd be interested to see what turns up, I love a good racing flick.

Jack

 

[Sheep]

Gone in 60 seconds (new version) had good sound, and lots of nice cars. Not really racing, but still good.

Talladega Nights had decent sound and it was a racing movie. Funny too. Nopt out yet though.

Not really a whole lot I can think of. I should pick up some, love racing too.

SheepStar

 

[AndrewLyles]

I don't particulary like Nicholas Cage, but the newer Gone in 60 seconds is a good DVD for sound. I've used the chase scene with Elanore to test all of my systems, the engine rumble alone is enough to make it wirth purchasing. I picked up the IMAX film NASCAR. It's got very nice sound, but it's short and there's not enough for me to say it's great. I did pick it up at Walmart for $4 though so I won't complain to terribly.

I haven't heard the Days of Thunder DVD, but it was a great movie so probably warrants an audition. Driven is another good Race flick in my opinion. The sound is good, I don't recall it having the same greatness that GOne in 60 seconds did, but I haven't watched on my new set-up. It's probably been about 3 years since I've watched it. I'll have to do a rewatch and get back to you on it.

I'm looking forward to Talledage Nights though, the sound at the theater was impressive so I can't wait to get it for home. That's all I can think of at the moment.

 

[Ax-man]

While listening to the NASCAR channel on XM radio I heard that there is a new movie in the works about the life of Dale Earnhardt as told by Teresa Earnhardt and the #3 car owner Richard Childress ... sounds as if they thought the previous "3" movie wasn't a very accurate depiction regarding the life of Dale Earnhardt. From what I understand there will be quite a lot of home movies dating back to his childhood and behind the scenes footage from the track as well as home. I don't know about racing scenes, but I'm sure it should have 'em. I believe the movie is supposed to be out on DVD in about a year from now, which BTW is a theatre movie and not just a documentary.

The new movie will be called "Dale".

 

[darien87]

IIRC Days of Thunder had a decent, not great, soundtrack. It is also a great racing movie, "rubbing is racing." Also check out the IMAX movie, Super Speedway, definately a must have. Off the top of my head, I really don't recall any really other watchable racing movies with a good soundtrack. I mean, there were either good movies with bad sound or bad movies with good sound (like Driven, I had heard). Someone told me the ESPN movie about Dale Earnhardt (?3?) had good sound, but I haven't seen it personally, so I really can't say. Also, the chase scene from Bullit with Steve McQueen was pretty impressive for an older movie, you could almost feel the engine in the car.

I'd be interested to see what turns up, I love a good racing flick.

Jack

Yeah, I was thinking Driven also. That's the Sly Stallone flick right? I don't remember much about it, other than the scene of him picking up coins with his tires. I remember not liking the movie, but maybe the sound will be worth it. Maybe I'll check it out. I saw that IMAX Super Speedway on one of the HD channels a little while back. Pretty cool flick. But it seemed to have more single-car testing audio, than actual racing footage.

I should probably go and buy Gone in 60 Seconds, since I'm a Mustang guy. I didn't like that one though. Oh well. Unfortunately, it seems like pickings are kinda slim when it comes to racing flicks. Weird.

 

[Nick250]

This is more like the best race movie ever, but if you are a race fan read on since it only came out on DVD recently. It's Grand Prix from the mid 1960s. A beautifully filmed period peace like The Great Escape. If you are a race fan, you owe it to yourself to see it. For some great the full tilt racing footage Sterling Moss drove a modified Ford GT40 camera car (and scared the crap out of the cameraman, which if you know anything about Streling Moss is his idea of having fun).

"In 1966, John Frankenheimer set out to make a racing movie unlike any racing movie made before [or since in my opinion] - and succeeded magnificently... He sent the actors to race driving schools, so when you see a close-up of James Garner in a formula car with the streets of Monaco receding behind him at speed, it's not on a sound stage with a projected background, it's taken with a camera mounted ON the car, and that IS James Garner, and it IS Monaco, and they're going pretty damn fast.
too small to have the same effects.

Frankenheimer's racing scenes were taken during the 1966 Formula 1 season, in the two days following each race, so the backgrounds are completely authentic (except the 1966 Italian Grand Prix didn't use the Monza high banking...) He had his own fleet of F3 cars - each modified to look like a specific F1 prototype, so that the "Ferraris" LOOK like Ferraris, the "BRMs" LOOK like BRMs, and the "Yamuras" look an awful lot like F1 Hondas.

It's fun to see *real* F1 drivers (Phil Hill, Graham Hill, Ritchie Ginther, Dan Gurney, (all credited - and I thought I saw John Surtees) appearing in the background, some with a few lines
The sound track and DVD transfer are excellent, with a bit of *faint* light vertical striping appearing in a few scenes."

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B000FFJYCU/ref=cm_cr_dp_pt/002-8816742-6554433?ie=UTF8&n=130&s=dvd

 

[Jack Hammer]

A must see movie for racing fans...

This is more like the best race movie ever, but if you are a race fan read on since it only came out on DVD recently. It's Grand Prix from the mid 1960s.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B000FFJYCU/ref=cm_cr_dp_pt/002-8816742-6554433?ie=UTF8&n=130&s=dvd

Definately, one of the best racing movies ever made. James Gardner is at his best in his role. Even though a lot of the 'technology' from the movie is a bit dated, the story and attitudes are still very relevant to racing in general.
I didn't know it was out on dvd. I'll have to add it to my collection - regardless of sound quality. It's that good.

 

[j_garcia]

SUPER SPEEDWAY IMAX Nothing else I've seen gives you that "you are there" feeling more than this, and the sound is great.

 

[Sheep]

SUPER SPEEDWAY IMAX Nothing else I've seen gives you that "you are there" feeling more than this, and the sound is great.

Downloading now.

SheepStar

 

[rynberg]

I own Super Speedway. I don't think it holds a candle to the scenes from Grand Prix. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes racing....the shots are unbelievable, with damn near perfect sound editing. This is the real stuff, no CGI, blue screens, or stock Hollywood sound clips here.

 

[billnchristy]

Grand Prix is also out on HD-DVD. I havent bought it yet, but certainly will!!

Lemans is a great movie, but I only have it on tape so I cannot attest to its SQ.

I always liked the chase scenes in Ronin as well.

 

[JoeE SP9]

Grand Prix is also out on HD-DVD. I havent bought it yet, but certainly will!!

Lemans is a great movie, but I only have it on tape so I cannot attest to its SQ.

I always liked the chase scenes in Ronin as well.

There is no reason why a VHS HiFi recorder shouldn't have very good sound. Listen to The Fifth Element on VHS HiFi for example. This and other VHS tapes sound very very good when played back using Dolby ProLogic. Don't get so hung up on technology that you ignore something good.
I have Grand Prix on DVD. I even have the original sound track LP. It's the best pure racing movie I've ever seen.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I have Grand Prix on DVD. I even have the original sound track LP. It's the best pure racing movie I've ever seen.

Definately get Grand Prix, I just watched it (dvd) it's really, really good. The sound is mainly from the fronts, but it sounds great. While it won't shake your house down like some modern movies will, it pulls into the racing. That and it's a good movie too.

 

[billnchristy]

Ok, lemme rephrase that.

I only have Lemans on tape and I have not watched a tape that didnt have three identical letters as its rating in about 3 years.

That better?

 

[DNelms]

I have to agree with many of the posts regarding Grand Prix. This is a fantastic film and the use of the widesceen image is great. However, I am not as happy with the DVD sound mix as I was with the Pro-logic laserdisc. With the matrix encoded surround it seemed to follow the onscreen action better than the DD DVD. The best example of this is is when James Garner's character is being interviewed prior to the big race. The onscreen interview moves to the right side of the screen and the sound of the race cars engine quiets but stays in the center and left channels, allowing you to focus on the interview.

The fidelity of the sound is dated so do not expect any tremendous bass thumps. This in my opinion is much better than the artificially augmented, overly bass heavy sound that is out there today.

Super speedway is also very good. Again I feel the laser disc is better especially with DTS audio.

 

[Duffinator]

SUPER SPEEDWAY IMAX Nothing else I've seen gives you that "you are there" feeling more than this, and the sound is great.

Get Super Speedway. This is one of the better soundtracks of any DVD available. It will sound like Mario and Michael are driving through the middle of your living room. It has a DTS soundtrack and that's the one I always listen too. Not a great movie like Grand Prix but killer soundtrack.

 

[j_garcia]

Not exactly a movie, more or less a documentary centered around showing off IMAX and a little Indy car tech, both old and new. Yes, the sound has a lot of studio effect added to it, but it still sounds great, especially in DTS and the video is excellent. Remember he said best SOUND, not best MOVIE.

 

[Sheep]

Initial D: The Original Drift

I just picked this up today because the AE86 is my favorite car. Turns out, this movie has a DTS: ES soundtrack (only in Cantonese). I watched it through once in DD (english) and it was still really good(the sound). Great use of surrounds with engine and BOV sounds all around you. Decent bass when called for too.

If you're into drifitng, and like the Eight-Six, this movie is for you!

SheepStar

 

[darien87]

Thanks to all who recommended Grand Prix. I took advantage of my local Tower going out of business and picked up a few DVD's and CD's. Grand Prix has some great racing scenes, with great sound. Too bad it's so old. They should remake it with 21st century technology.

I also bought Driven and Gone in 60 Seconds. Driven has some nice racing scenes, but the damn soundtrack gets in the way. The music is WAY too loud. I want to hear screaming engines and screeching tires, not music. That's one of the things that makes Grand Prix so good. No stupid techno music getting in the way.