Rush (2013)
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The film depicts the intense rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the 1976 season.
The story
Rush centers on the intense rivalry between two Formula One drivers, James Hunt and Niki Lauda, during the 1976 Formula One season. The two men possess contrasting personalities and racing approaches, first clashing in a Formula Three event in 1970. As the 1976 season unfolds, the narrative follows their competing paths through the high-stakes world of professional racing. Hunt, driving for the fledgling Hesketh Racing team, faces various hurdles, while Lauda, competing for Scuderia Ferrari, navigates the pressures of championship contention. The film explores their differing philosophies on risk and success as they navigate the dangerous and prestigious circuit of Formula One.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
James Hunt and Niki Lauda, two Formula One drivers with contrasting personalities and racing approaches, develop a rivalry after competing in a Formula Three event in 1970. Lauda joins the BRM team before moving to Scuderia Ferrari, where he wins the 1975 championship. Hunt joins McLaren after his team, Hesketh Racing, closes. The 1976 season begins with Lauda dominating early, while Hunt struggles. After a disqualification in Spain is overturned, Hunt enters the championship contention. During the German Grand Prix, a heavy rain leads to a fierce race where Lauda crashes and suffers severe burns. He is hospitalized for six weeks but returns for the Italian Grand Prix. The season culminates at the Japanese Grand Prix, where Hunt wins the championship by a single point after Lauda retires due to safety concerns. The film concludes with a look at their lives post-1976, with Lauda reflecting on their rivalry and Hunt's subsequent lifestyle.
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 123
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; Germany; United States
- Original languages
- English; Austrian German
- Directors
- Ron Howard
- Writers
- Peter Morgan · writer
- Cast and characters
- Chris Hemsworth · Hunt; Daniel Brühl · Lauda; Olivia Wilde; Alexandra Maria Lara; Pierfrancesco Favino
- Genres
- biographical; sports; drama
- Themes
- rivalry; risk; determination
- Tone and mood
- intense; dramatic
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; sports; racing
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics for the performances of the lead actors, the direction, the racing sequences, and the musical score.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 89% · scale: percentage · review count: 235; Metacritic · score: 74 · scale: 100 · review count: 43
- Production trivia
- The film was shot on location in the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria.; Ron Howard originally intended for Russell Crowe to make a cameo appearance as Richard Burton.; The film's score was composed by Hans Zimmer.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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