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The Great Race (1965)

★ 7.2Approved152 minDirector: Blake Edwards

1965 film by Blake Edwards

The Great Race is a 1965 American Technicolor epic slapstick comedy film directed by Blake Edwards, starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Natalie Wood, written by Arthur A. Ross (from a story by Edwards and Ross) and with music by Henry Mancini and cinematography by Russell Harlan. The supporting cast includes Peter Falk, Keenan Wynn, Arthur O'Connell, and Vivian Vance.

The movie cost US$12 million (equivalent to $92 million in 2024), making it the most expensive comedy film at the time. The story was inspired by the actual 1908 New York to Paris Race. It was co-produced by Lemmon's Jalem Productions, Curtis' Reynard Productions, and Edwards' Patricia Productions.

It is known for one scene that was promoted as "the greatest pie fight ever". It was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning the Academy Award for Best Sound Effects.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is The Great Race about?
The Great Race (1965) — Professional daredevil and white-suited hero, The Great Leslie, convinces turn-of-the-century auto makers that a race from New York to Paris (westward across America, the Bering Straight and Russia) will help to promote automobile sales. Leslie's arch-rival, the mustached and bla
Is The Great Race based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is The Great Race scary?
Content rating: Approved. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.