Rush (2013 film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | September 2, 2013 |
| Founder | Ron Howard (director), Peter Morgan (screenwriter) |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom, Germany, Austria |
| Products | Biographical sports drama film |
Rush is a 2013 biographical sports drama helmed by director Ron Howard with a screenplay by Peter Morgan. The narrative centers on the intense competition between Formula One racers James Hunt and Niki Lauda throughout the 1976 season. The film features Chris Hemsworth portraying Hunt and Daniel Brühl as Lauda.
The movie debuted in London on 2 September 2013 and was subsequently showcased at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival before its official UK release on 13 September. It garnered acclaim for the performances of Hemsworth and Brühl, Howard’s direction, the dynamic racing scenes, and the musical composition by Hans Zimmer.
Plot
James Hunt, known for his bold and confident demeanor, clashes with the meticulous and analytical Niki Lauda, sparking a fierce rivalry that begins in 1970 during a Formula Three event in London. Lauda secures a substantial loan from Austria's Raiffeisen Bank to join the BRM team in Formula One, while Hunt competes for the emerging Hesketh Racing squad as they enter Formula One competition.
Lauda later signs with Scuderia Ferrari, teaming up with Clay Regazzoni, and captures his inaugural championship in the 1975 season. Meanwhile, Hesketh Racing folds due to lack of sponsorship, prompting Hunt to transfer to McLaren. During this time, Hunt marries supermodel Suzy Miller, while Lauda begins a relationship with socialite Marlene Knaus.
The start of the 1976 season sees Lauda dominating early races, whereas Hunt struggles to find form. Hunt claims victory at the Spanish Grand Prix but is later disqualified over car width violations. McLaren encounters difficulties adapting to new Formula One regulations, compounded by Hunt’s personal challenges when Suzy becomes involved with actor Richard Burton. Following his divorce, Hunt regains momentum; his disqualification is overturned, restoring his points and positioning him as a championship contender. Lauda marries Marlene but worries that his newfound happiness might distract him from racing.
Ahead of the German Grand Prix, Lauda calls for cancellation due to hazardous rain conditions at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, but Hunt resists, accusing Lauda of leveraging safety concerns for competitive gain. The race proceeds despite the weather; during it, Lauda crashes after a suspension failure causes his Ferrari to ignite. He sustains severe burns and lung damage, requiring six weeks of hospitalization while Hunt dominates in his absence.
Ignoring medical advice, Lauda makes a remarkable comeback at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing fourth as Hunt fails to complete the race. The championship battle culminates at the rain-drenched Japanese Grand Prix. Hunt’s strong finish late in the season narrows the points deficit to three. Although Hunt advocates for cancellation due to unsafe conditions, the race continues because of global television commitments. Mid-race, Lauda withdraws citing safety concerns, enabling Hunt to secure the championship by finishing third despite adverse weather and injuries.
After the season concludes, Hunt embraces a lifestyle of fame and excess, while Lauda pursues aviation by flying private planes. At a private airstrip near Bologna, Lauda advises Hunt to concentrate on defending his title; however, Hunt prefers indulging in his glamorous existence. Reflecting later, Lauda believes that Hunt’s indulgent lifestyle curtailed his potential achievements and contributed to his premature death at 45 but acknowledges their rivalry drove both drivers to exceptional performances that year; Lauda admits that Hunt was the only person he ever envied.
Cast
- Chris Hemsworth portrays James Hunt, the British Formula 1 driver representing McLaren
- Daniel Brühl plays Niki Lauda, the Austrian F1 competitor and Hunt's adversary racing for Scuderia Ferrari
- Olivia Wilde appears as Suzy Miller, the spouse of James Hunt
- Alexandra Maria Lara takes on the role of Marlene Knaus-Lauda, wife of Niki Lauda
- Pierfrancesco Favino depicts Clay Regazzoni, Lauda's fellow driver on the team
- David Calder acts as Louis Stanley, chairman of BRM
- Natalie Dormer features as Nurse Gemma, one of Hunt's romantic interests
- Stephen Mangan portrays Alastair Caldwell
- Christian McKay appears as Lord Hesketh
- Alistair Petrie plays Stirling Moss
- Colin Stinton takes the role of Teddy Mayer
- Julian Rhind-Tutt embodies Anthony 'Bubbles' Horsley
- Patrick Baladi represents John Hogan
Archival footage from the 1970s and 1980s includes appearances by Hunt and Lauda, with a brief clip of Lauda from 2013.
Production
The film was shot in various locations across the United Kingdom, Germany, and Austria, including Blackbushe Airport (Hampshire), Snetterton Circuit (Norfolk), Cadwell Park (Lincolnshire), Crystal Palace, Brands Hatch (Kent), as well as Germany’s Nürburgring. To maintain historical accuracy, both authentic vintage race cars and precise replicas were utilized.
Funding was secured from several sources: action concept Film- und Stuntproduktion based in Hürth, Egoli Tossell Film, Revolution Films from the UK, and Cross Creek Pictures in the US. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW contributed €1.35 million, alongside additional support from MFG Filmförderung Baden-Württemberg and the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF).
Director Ron Howard had initially intended to include a cameo by Russell Crowe portraying Richard Burton in a scene confronting James Hunt regarding his affair with Suzy Miller.
Music
The orchestral score for the movie was composed by Hans Zimmer. The soundtrack also features classic rock tracks from the 1970s performed by artists such as Dave Edmunds, Steve Winwood (originally by the Spencer Davis Group), Mud, Thin Lizzy, and David Bowie.
Marketing
On 14 July 2013, BBC Two broadcasted the documentary Hunt vs. Lauda: F1's Greatest Racing Rivals, which provided an extensive exploration of the competition between Hunt and Lauda through interviews with Lauda himself and former members of McLaren and Ferrari teams.
A screening event co-hosted by Ferrari & Cinema Society took place at Chelsea Clearview Cinemas in New York on 18 September 2013, with actor Chris Hemsworth attending.
Home media
The film Rush became available on DVD and Blu-ray on 28 January 2014. A special limited edition exclusive to Sainsbury's included additional bonus content. The Australian Blu-ray release featured the 2013 documentary 1. On November 19, 2024, Shout! Factory issued a version on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.
Box office
Rush generated $26.9 million domestically across the United States and Canada, alongside $71.3 million internationally, culminating in a global total of $98.2 million against a production budget of $38 million.
The film debuted with $187,289 from just five theaters before expanding to 2,297 theaters the following weekend, earning $10 million and placing third at the box office. In subsequent weeks, earnings declined to $4.5 million and then $2.4 million, ranking fifth and eighth respectively during those weekends.
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, Rush enjoys an 88% approval rating derived from 234 critiques, celebrated as "a meticulously crafted sports drama featuring thrilling racing scenes and compelling performances by Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl." Metacritic awarded the film a score of 74 out of 100 based on evaluations from 43 critics, signifying "generally favorable reviews." Viewer feedback collected by CinemaScore resulted in an "A−" rating.
Initially, Niki Lauda perceived his depiction as unfavorable but revised his opinion following Bernie Ecclestone's commendation. Lauda subsequently remarked: "There were no Hollywood alterations... It is highly accurate," demonstrating strong endorsement of the film’s faithful representation.
Historical accuracy
The movie portrays the Hunt–Lauda rivalry with dramatic embellishments, despite their real-life relationship involving friendship and cohabitation early in their careers. Some incidents were amplified or invented, such as Hunt attacking a journalist or the Nürburgring being called "the graveyard," whereas Jackie Stewart originally dubbed it "the Green Hell."
Additional inaccuracies include the British F3 race at Crystal Palace, where Hunt competed against Dave Morgan rather than Lauda, along with altered details regarding overtaking maneuvers and final standings in the Japanese Grand Prix. The concluding scene showing Hunt arriving with a flat tire during his television commentary career simplifies a more intricate reality involving financial difficulties and Lauda’s monetary assistance that helped Hunt regain stability and secure broadcasting opportunities.
Accolades
Virtuoso Award Daniel Brühl Template:WonWashington D.C. Area Film Critics Association
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2013 films
- 2013 biographical drama films
- 2013 drama films
- 2010s English-language films
- 2010s American films
- 2010s British films
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