LE MANS

Cinema Center/National General 1971

Directed by Lee H. Katzin

Released 23rd 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".

 

Belgian poster

 

Australian poster

 

Another Australian poster

 

Czech poster

 

French poster

 

German poster

 

Italian poster

 

Another Italian poster

 

Another Italian poster

 

Another Italian poster

 

Another Italian poster

 

Another Italian poster

 

Another Italian poster

 

Another Italian poster

 

Another Italian poster

 

Another Italian poster

 

Another Italian poster

 

Japanese poster

 

Another Japanese poster

 

Mexican poster

 

Swedish 1982 reissue poster

 

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