1976: Hunt vs. Lauda

Filmmaker Matthew Whiteman's exciting BBC-aired documentary recounts the story of the 1976 Formula One racing season, which essentially came down to a duel between flamboyant British racer James Hunt and the highly-disciplined Austrian Niki Lauda (also told in Ron Howard's 2013 movie Rush). 1976: Hunt vs. Lauda focuses not only on the contrast between the competitors' personal and professional styles, but also on the conflicts between their teams and instances in which one or another driver felt sabotaged by a Grand Prix host. Lauda participated in the making of this documentary (Hunt died in 1993), and his honest insights into the season—-including the accident that nearly killed Lauda and left him permanently scarred—-provide a personal context for this incredible chapter in racing history. Narrated by Ed Stoppard, the film also features interviews with Lauda's Ferrari F1 team manager, Daniele Audetto, and Hunt's McLaren F1 manager, Alastair Caldwell, who lead viewers through the many ups and downs of the 1976 season: the disqualifications, collisions, and pressures of TV coverage on driver safety. Hunt and Lauda liked and admired one another off the track but were fierce opponents behind the wheel and their intertwined story reaches its climax here in the 1976 season's fateful final race. Sure to appeal to racing fans, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)