Le Mans

LE MANS

Cinema Center/National General 1971

Directed by Lee H. Katzin

Released 23^rd June 1971

Steve's Character - Michael Delaney

Steve's Fee - Nil - (It was to have been $750,000 but Steve gave up his salary and his % in the film gross in order to ensure it was finished).

Film Budget - Originally $7,500,000 but spiralled to $10,000,000 by time of completion.

UK quad

US one sheet

US half sheet

US insert

US window card

US advance poster

US original advertising poster (under working title of "Day of the Champion")

Being a big racing fan and driver, Steve wanted to make the definitive racing film. For many years he planned the film which was to be called "Day of the Champion" and directed by John Sturges (who directed Steve in 'Never So Few', 'The Magnificent Seven' and 'The Great Escape'). It was this film that was to become Le Mans. Filming of footage began as early as 1965 but it wasn't until June 1970 that principle photography took place on 'Le Mans'. Steve fell out with John Sturges as director of Le Mans because Steve wanted it to be a documentary-style slice of racing life and Sturges was equally certain that telling a strong, defined story was crucial to the film. Sturges quit the film with the classic parting remark "I'm too old and too rich to put up with this shit". This extremely rare advertising poster is from the sixties when the project was still called "Day of the Champion".