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Grand Prix D'europe (1958)

1958 · Short film · 25 min

  • War
  • Documentary
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Synopsis

Presented by Castrol, this 1958 documentary "Grand Prix D'Europe 1958" covers that year's Belgian Grand Prix which was a Formula 1 race held at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, also known as Spa. Located near Liège, the 15 km course offers views of the Belgian countryside including the forests of Ardennes. This film was produced by the D. A. Clarke Film Unit, established in 1940 by Denis Arthur Clarke, as part of the British Ministry of Information. It helped produce propaganda films during World War II on a wide range of topics related to the military and civilian life during wartime. After the war, the D.A. Clarke Film Unit shifted away from war propaganda and towards other documentary films such as this one.(00:09) The 335-foot high Atomium at the World's Fair in Brussels(00:44) The exhibition grounds feature gardens, fountains, and pavilions for different countries.(01:28) The historic quarter of Brussels with the Ardennes forest in the distance. It featured the 1958 World Championship of Drivers, which commenced on 19 January 1958 and ended on 19 October after eleven races. Englishman Mike Hawthorn won the Drivers' title after a close battle with compatriot Stirling Moss and Vanwall won the inaugural Manufacturers award from Ferrari. Hawthorn announced his retirement from racing after the season, as he had been profoundly affected by the death of teammate Peter Collins. Unfortunately retirement would not save him from tragedy at the wheel -- he died a short time after…

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Details

Running time
25 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

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