Weekend of a Champion

The year is 1971 and the place is Monaco. The Formula One race is coming up. Jackie Stewart is the world champion of the day. Roman Polanski spends a weekend with him. The camera goes everywhere. The driver’s hotel room, the track, the pits. Stewart explains the preparation he does before a race. The camera watches him getting ready for the race. Tyre choice and the weather are discussed as well. Racing in that period carried lethal risks. That is talked about directly. The film was first shown in 1972. This version was recut and a new conversation was added at the end. Jackie Stewart and Roman Polanski speak in the ninety four minute documentary, an American production Frank Simon finished in 2013.