Over the next few weeks I am going to look at some great sports documentaries, beginning with “Senna”, the 2010 examination of the Brazilian Formula One triple world champion Ayrton Senna.
It is rare for a movie to convey successfully the experience of sport. The documentary is the finest method – the uncontrived story and compelling footage already exist.
A famous figure who dies prematurely is an easy subject. And for a documentary on the great and charismatic Senna it was even easier: the cameras, including his family’s, were always on him.
It’s not often you see a sports film win audience awards at film festivals but this one did: Sundance, Los Angeles, Melbourne and Adelaide. It also collected a prestigious BAFTA for Best Documentary.
Much of the film covers Senna’s disintegrating relationship with his great rival and McLaren teammate Alain Prost; the sort of situation we have seen with Alonso and Hamilton, and more recently with Webber and Vettel: “That’s when the gloves come off within a team. That’s when engineers stop sharing their information. That’s where drivers start looking over their shoulders to see who is giving what to whom”.
It was also where each teammate causes the other to crash (1989 and 1999) to ensure they take the championship.
The film is about Senna not just because he died but because he was special. In a 2009 poll by Autosport magazine he was judged by his peers to be the greatest driver ever. Presumably four-time world champion Prost was one of them.
As a driver he had an ability to go to another level that many saw as irresponsible and dangerous. Prost at one point says: “Ayrton has a small problem. He thinks he can’t kill himself because he believes in God. That’s very dangerous for the other drivers”
When Jackie Stewart took him to task about the number of accidents he had been involved in Senna replied: “I find it amazing that you make such a comment. Being a racing car driver means you are racing with other people. And if you no longer go for a gap that exists you are no longer a racing driver.”
Senna though also held fears about his racing mind: Talking about his qualifying runs at Monaco in 1988 he admitted: “I was no longer driving conscious. I was in another dimension. Then, suddenly, something just kicked me. I kind of woke up. It frightened me because I realised I was well beyond my conscious understanding. Immediately my reaction was to back off, slow down. I drove slowly to the pits and I didn’t want to go out any more that day.”
He was unique in other ways. A shy, polite, intelligent and religious man who had endeared himself to his troubled country. Despite his privileged upbringing he was not comfortable with fame. He just wanted to drive.
During his last visit to Australia in 1993 he said his fondest time was go karting: “It was pure racing. There wasn’t any politics then, right. No money involved either. It was real racing. I have that as a very good memory”.
Professor Sid Watkins, the chief Formula One medical officer at the time recalled: “He had a wonderful humility which is not common among racing drivers”.
Throughout, the film gains momentum as it approaches its final twenty minutes – when it documents the fateful 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.
As early as the opening credits we are reminded of Senna’s destiny when his mother says: “May God protect him from all the danger he may face. That’s my greatest fear.”
Later, we are on-board, riding with him during the last fifty seconds of his life, as he negotiates the difficult chicane at Variante Alta, descends the long straight down to the dual corners of Rivazza, through Variante Bassa, and into the main straight as his Williams screams towards Tamburello curve.
It is here that the guilt of watching hits home. Do we have a right to witness someone using up the final seconds of their life? Shouldn’t it be preserved for loved ones only? Perhaps, but we’re morbidly compelled to keep looking.
Senna’s helmet, in the colours of his beloved Brazil, is visible in the side mirror shuddering with the g-forces and about to take the violent impact that will instantly kill the famous man inside it.
Tamburello was also referred to as a corner, and a turn. Curve though is the correct term, for it was negotiated at speeds in excess of 300km/h – the speed that Senna left the road. Telemetry tells us a two second application of the brakes and a two gear downshift slowed him to 220km/h before he slammed into the concrete wall.
His body was unharmed in the impact. What killed him was the right front tyre that was torn off, striking him in the head causing multiple skull fractures. The exposed suspension then pierced his helmet and visor causing further head trauma.
“Ayrton ran out of luck. He didn’t have a broken bone in his body. He did not have any bruising. If that piece of assembly had gone six inches higher or six inches lower he would have walked back to the paddock”, remarked an ESPN commentator.
The cause of the accident has been put down to a steering failure or cold tyres resulting from a safety car phase following a nasty accident at the start of the race. The danger of front tyres being flung from wrecks had been clear for a very long time. Previously they had killed and injured mainly spectators.
The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix highlighted the danger and callousness of the sport. There were four serious accidents.
The one on the grid at the race start resulted in nine spectators being injured from flying debris and a wheel. A young Rubens Barrichello was fortunate to survive a high-speed crash during qualifying.
Austrian rookie Roland Ratzenberger and Senna were killed in separate accidents and yet the race went on – to be won by the next great Formula One champion Michael Schumacher. Schumacher’s Benetton can just be seen entering Tamburello as Senna leaves the track.
The depiction of these accidents is a reason the film also won a BAFTA for editing.
In an unnerving piece of footage Ratzenberger is seen shaking his head, and heard speaking to a member of his crew in the pits:
Ratzenberger: “I just need to get myself under control. I’m doing things with that car that no-one…”
Crew Member: ‘Throwing it around a bit?”
They then have a chuckle.
The film cuts immediately to the Austrian taking off, with that unholy shriek only an F1 car is capable of, for a qualifying lap. It shows him completing an aggressive turn with a wheel briefly locking up. What isn’t shown is the car sustaining damage to its front wing at Variante Alta. It will cause him to lose control at 320 km/h on the Villeneuve curve.
Next is a grainy amateur film taken from behind a safety fence opposite the concrete wall that Ratzenberger is seen ploughing into. The squealing engine is silenced as you hear the deep thud of the collision and the sound of the car scraping along gravel and grass.
A distraught Senna is shown watching replays of the accident. The collision can’t be seen on the official front-on footage but the wreck suddenly appears from behind the fence, losing momentum and slowly swinging around on to the track at Tosa corner – revealing the huge gash in the cockpit and Ratzenberger’s lolling head. Senna looks away.
When it becomes obvious medical staff are trying to resuscitate Ratzenberger, Senna cries out, turns and hurries away from the screen.
The next day the world will be watching as Senna’s own body is extricated from its cockpit and forlornly worked upon.
The footage from the helicopter is remarkably clear and still, good enough to notice a slight movement of Senna’s head.
More importantly for the director the helicopter then slowly ascends as Sid Watkins narrates: “He [Senna] sighed and his body relaxed and that was the moment, and I’m not religious, that I thought his spirit had departed”.
As a sport documentary the film is excellent for many reasons, but its greatest attribute is its examination of a unique person (a type that exists in all fields of endeavour) – the genius who is driven to greatness but is incapable of happiness on attaining it. Madness or death awaits them.
In a sport where women are viewed as grid girls, groupies, or gold diggers it is significant that the person who understood Senna and his fate better than anyone was his mother Neyde:
“I once asked Ayrton when he would stop racing. ‘Mum, I’ll stop when I become world champion’. I know deep inside it is not true. We all know that.”
Dave Webber
Guest
As a life long motor racing fan and long time competitor I have to agree that Senna was certainly among the all time greats along with with Nuvolari, Bandini, Fangio, Moss, Brabham, Clark, Hilll, Prost, Lauda, Villeneuve, Schumacher Alonso and now Vettel. That is just the F1 crew not even bringing into the argument the other categories of rallying and sports car racing. You would then have to start bringing into the mix names like Ari Vatanen and Derek Bell et al. Different times and different circumstances bring forward many names that could possibly be considered the greatest but I for one don't subscribe to the 'best driver ever' theory. Some are tactical, some are methodical, some are courageous, some are cunning and others like Jack Brabham are able to design the car, run the team and drive it to victory. Not many have been able to do all that let alone win a world F1 driver and constructor championship in their own car. If I have one that l would admire the most though it would more than likely have to be the all rounder Brabham, but watching Villeneuve was certainly very exciting. He was nuts, Hunt was fun, it goes on. You may have noticed that Mansell was omitted from my list, I couldn't stand him. I can't pick a favorite but I can certainly nominate my most unfavorite. Talk about a drama queen. All that aside the documentary "Senna" that Andrew has reviewed was outstanding as was the main character.
Mark Young
Roar Guru
It is a remarkable film, with some new footage, especially of the title fights at Suzuka that made the hardcore F1fanatics light up in delight. Something that has gone large underappreciated is the quality of the sound, not just the terrific soundtrack (partially lifted from the dire Halle Berry movie 'Perfect Strangers' I kid you not) but the sound of the cars, the ferocity of the accidents, especially Ratzenbergger (as Andrew notes) and Barichello's is incredible. However, before taking Senna as gospel there is one thing to remember, that this was made with the express approval of Senna's family, which is why two aspects of his career have been glossed over. Firstly, he was the first driver to use his car as a weapon. This disgusted the majority of the F1 community who had only recently moved on from regularly having to bury their friends from fiery accidents. Senna's actions at Suzuka, Portugal etc meant his respect as a champion was balanced by condemnation of his on track antics. Secondly, Prost is terrible treated throughout. In the Poll that Andrew mentions, Alain was ranked the 4th greatest F1 driver ever, behind only Senna, Fangio and Schumacher. Indeed, were that poll taken today he would easily eclipse the German. Prost was always considered the faster driver in clear race conditions then Senna, with the Brazilian matching him with his astonishing Qualifying and brutally efficient dispatching of lapped traffic. Furthermore, he was a great champion, a likeable friendly interview subject and an enormously popular man. Sadly, 'Senna's suggests he was almost a 'sneaky frenchman' using his contacts and wiles to outwit the brave Brazilian. Prost was Senna's match on the track, his four world titles are testament to that. He was overcome by Ayrton's incredible focus and staggering self belief. But hey, look who I chose as my Avatar! If you haven't seen this, make it a date!
John Davidson
Roar Guru
http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/15/sensational-senna/ Never been an F1 one, but this was a fantastic film and Senna's story extremely compelling and engaging.
McHappy
Guest
Once again great artical - Did you know what Senna's favorite drink was?
Johnno
Guest
It was a beautiful documentary i hope it wins an wards at Cannes, or even the Oscars. Very touching , Senna had a special gravitating appeal to him, like all the big stars in sport, Micheal Jordan, Shane Warne, Tiger Woods, Federer. I remember coming home from high school when it happened, and reading the afternoon newspapers when they used to have afternoon appears in the 90's. Was very empty and genuine sadness, i still feel like crying every now and then about it and i am not even a big car racing fan, just occasionally watch F1 like the aussy GP, or the Japan GP, but really sad. Senna had a larger than life mystique to him, like many champion sports stars too. A lot of charisma very sad. Apart from his family the man I felt most sad for was Prost. I think a part of Prost died when senna died. They were arch rivals who loved each other, hated each other, and needed each other to fulfil there competitive instincts to push each other to the edge despite the dangers that motor racing can be. Prost was devastated by Senna's death that is for sure, like I said i have seen Prost been interviewed about Senna's death and i feel how he comes across when talking about Senna, part of Prost died when Senna tragically died in that F1 race.
apaway
Guest
Well, Andrew, I know which DVD I'll be buying next. Thanks for the review. Hope you take a look at "When We Were Kings", "Murder Ball", Smashing Machine" and for one out of lefdt field "Wrestling With Shadows" over the next few weeks.
Gucci
Guest
Johnno - Are you serious in saying police officers are less corrupt as a whole? In Hong Kong, police is considered only marginally better than gangsters. The unspoken public image of a typical policeman is that he would gamble, drink, smoke, get prostitutes for free, pay informants for info, use most of that info to blackmail others.. you get my drift. Of course, can't prove any of that, but public image doesn't form by accident. I don't know anything about the Scotland Yards, but I find it difficult to believe it would be a completely category of people compared to say the Hong Kong police force?
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
Hi Ben, It's not often you hear that a mother has seen a car racing documentary before her son! The praise it was given by audiences and critics who had no interest in the sport is proof of its quality.
Australian Rules
Guest
Johnno, nothing you have written here is remotely connected to the article...or even furthers your earlier post that 'Mansell was better than Senna'. It's just some gooey tribute to an ok English driver, peppered with incoherent references to morality and God and Country. Weird. The Senna doc is brilliant btw.
Ben Carter
Roar Guru
hi Andrew - brilliant film. Received it for Christmas from my mother, who recommended it after catching it at the cinema. Terrific account, powerful stuff. The Senna legend (as it were) remains intact.
Johnno
Guest
Jock my dear boy. A British invasion I would see not as an invasion but as an expansion of the Commenwealth by dear Jock. So carry on chap, it's all good. Hong Kong is not under British rule any more but the Falklands still is Jock. ANd Australia once was under our mother country too Jock, as was Canada and our ANZUS brothers New Zealand.
MelbCro
Guest
Awesome doco, really powerful and moving
Jock McSporran
Guest
Johhno the only thing old school about Nigel Mansel was his facial hair. He'll be the last world champ to have real hair on his face. Having been a Special Constable could mean he is ethically moral I suppose. Not sure drawing a line between him and those supposed to show absolute morality while burning a Koran or taking some of that drug dealers money for personal reasons is all that good an arguement. What's fair to say is you like him and you like things British. I'd say you'd like a good invasion of a foreign land for pillage and plunder to or maybe a little slavery to go with that. Nice old school things.
Justin
Guest
None of that has anything to do with being the greatest race car driver of all time. Thats just a man crush pure and simple...
Johnno
Guest
Mansel was very British and conservative person a God ,Queen, country type of person like me. He believe in nation, and the commonwealth like me. He was pillored and highly respected member of the community. He was a police officer Jake, and no one is held in as high esteem as someone who is in the police or our defence forces. Ethically and morally you would be hard pressed to find more ethically and morally and less corrupt people than our dear police and military men and women. As they go every day to fight for our freedom and our democracy, and putting the bad guys like drug dealers, and other of the bad people in our society in jail. So naturally one has to hold ethically and morally some one like Mansell in such high regard. And he is from the old school too , he is British Jake , and is from a time when old fashion values and being a gentleman were everything.
Jake Stevenson
Guest
Senna and Mansell are from the same era, and Senna consistently beat him. So I don't know where you're coming from. Back on topic, one of the greatest films I've seen. Fact or fiction. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Hansie
Guest
The Senna biography is an excellent movie. I was a massive fan of Senna, so I didn't think a movie could do justice to the subject, but the movie is compelling and accessible to non-fans.
stam
Roar Rookie
On what grounds do you consider mansell to be the greatest ever? Would that be his one f1 championship or that he moved to ( a lesser league in my opinion) cart and won a championship there? Even if you are from the "old school" I'd hardly call mansell old school.
Johnno
Guest
For me I am from the old school and Nigel Mansell will always be the greatest driver ever. However it will be a pleasure to see the documentary on Senna I will watch it.