(Shockingly, the DVD of "Grand Prix" - probably the best racecar movie ever made - is still (Nov. 2003) missing in action. I just checked the release calendar at DVD Journal and once again, there's no news.)
Update, 2010: Well, it's now available on DVD and on HD. That's the good news. The bad news is that the Speed Channel material I mention below didn't make it onto the special edition or onto any other edition. Most likely this is a rights issue, but it could also be sheer laziness. The extras for the DVD special edition are okay, but could have been much better. Shame.
It's a crying shame, especially when you consider that the US television channel which specializes in cars (I forget the name of it; "Speed Channel?") several years ago ran a special showing of the film, in widescreen and stereo, which featured, along with the movie, over an hour of interviews between director Frankenheimer, star James Garner, and GP fan Bruce Dern. In other words, most of the work of creating material for a "Special Edition" has already been done. All that's needed is the rights clearance.
Remember too, that almost all of the big-budget, widescreen, multi-star, roadshows from the 50s and 60s have already been put out on DVD. Why? Because, being shot originally in 70mm, hence, boasting super-detailed images and multi-track sound, they are perfect candidates for digitalization. Not that anyone from the studios is listening, but please, release this title now.
Update, 2010: Well, it's now available on DVD and on HD. That's the good news. The bad news is that the Speed Channel material I mention below didn't make it onto the special edition or onto any other edition. Most likely this is a rights issue, but it could also be sheer laziness. The extras for the DVD special edition are okay, but could have been much better. Shame.
It's a crying shame, especially when you consider that the US television channel which specializes in cars (I forget the name of it; "Speed Channel?") several years ago ran a special showing of the film, in widescreen and stereo, which featured, along with the movie, over an hour of interviews between director Frankenheimer, star James Garner, and GP fan Bruce Dern. In other words, most of the work of creating material for a "Special Edition" has already been done. All that's needed is the rights clearance.
Remember too, that almost all of the big-budget, widescreen, multi-star, roadshows from the 50s and 60s have already been put out on DVD. Why? Because, being shot originally in 70mm, hence, boasting super-detailed images and multi-track sound, they are perfect candidates for digitalization. Not that anyone from the studios is listening, but please, release this title now.