Frank Capua is a rising star on the race circuit who dreams of winning the big one - the Indianapolis 500. But to get there he runs the risk of losing his wife Elora to his rival, Luther Erding, and strains the relationship with his stepson.
Practical Effects
Actual Indy 500 footage—Newman did 150mph on track for real.
Acting
Newman and Woodward's real marriage electrifies the fake one.
Direction
James Goldstone captures racing's lethal poetry before CGI existed.
Director
James Goldstone
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Newman became so obsessed with racing he formed his own team, finished second at Le Mans in 1979, and remains the oldest driver to win a sanctioned race at age 70.
This film essentially created the 'tortured racer' archetype that Days of Thunder and Ford v Ferrari would later inherit—minus the self-aware irony.
US
