Even as merely a football fan who knows bugger all about F1, I went to see 'Senna' and can say it was absolutely brilliant. What a character and story - those last minutes at Imola had me more tense than any other film I'd ever seen.
Just got back from watching Senna with my son... I'm trying to think of the words to describe it. The word's not incredible or fantastic, and I say that because I grew up watching Senna race (not necessarily as a fan at the time) so knew what he was capable of and that he was fantastic. It's left me feeling, in many ways... a bit empty, but also with much more insight in to Ayrton as a human being. I think I feel empty, as that's how I felt after Imola '94. I'd been watching F1 for 10 years at the time and hadn't seen a death in a race... I thought F1 drivers were bullet proof. When Roland was killed I was stunned to say the least and educated a little. I'd gained whole new respect for what these guys do. Then when Ayrton died on that Sunday, I was just floored. I didn't think it was possible for somebody like him to go in such a fashion. His death, for me left a hole in F1... It marked the end of a very significant era and though I put all my support behind Damon as a fan, It was obvious F1 was never going to be the same. What I loved about this movie/documentary was the very human side of Ayrton... His vulnerabilities, his emotion, his outbursts, his passion.. Seeing how some events really made him question the sport as a whole and how personally he took some of the happenings and how he was actually hurt by them. Also incredible that despite winning 3 World Championships and driving in an incredibly competitive era of the sport, he names Terry Fullerton as his greatest competitor, from one of the purest forms of racing. I don't think I can sum it up in one adjective or two.. or twelve. It's a 100% must see for any racing fan or just anybody with a soul. My 11 year old son loved every minute!
@sgt It is great to hear that even people who wasn't a fan of him rate it so high. You have described the movie beautifully and very well. I really hope everyone here gets to see it.
Thanks, Chrisp.. I really did love the film and thinking of going to watch it again while it's still playing. I really want to see the full DVD now. There were some parts that I thought were a bit iffy.. but in the main... Totally fantastic!
What an utter and complete waste of a life, a man who I believe would have gone on to do even greater things for his country. At the time of Sennas death I believed he was the greatest driver to have lived, although now I have revised that opinion simply due to his occasional unsporting on track behaviour, his driving skills remain up there with the very best ever. I was there at Donington in the rain and cold when Senna took the race apart and showed everyone how it should be done. "It's a 100% must see for any racing fan or just anybody with a soul."
