DVDs of every Formula 1
Discussion
Having just watched "Formula 1 : The Killing Years" has just reminded me to search for DVD's of the older races. I only became an F1 fan in the early 80's but would like to have a complete collection of the earlier races. Does anyone know if the footage from every race has been transferred to dvds and if so who are they available from?
With thanks in advance
With thanks in advance
The races are certainly not available. As I understand it the licensing arrangement for the footage involves selling your soul to Bernie for all eternity. You may have some luck finding illegal copies on the internet.
It's probably worth saying that most of the races before then don't exist in full anyway - you may find extended highlights though.
It's probably worth saying that most of the races before then don't exist in full anyway - you may find extended highlights though.
How far back do you want to go? Formula 1 began in 1946.
Before 1981, the record is patchy. FOCA acquired the TV rights for Formula 1 in 1981 (part of the original Concorde Agreement) and every race in the F1 world championship from the 1981 season is available on a DVD season summary.
Before 1981 there was no one rights holder so the recordings of televised F1 races are the property of the TV channels that covered the races. Many TV channels did not retain the recordings as they had a policy of wiping and re-using their video tapes. The further back in time you go, the less likely you are to have a TV recording at all. South Africa, for example, didn't even have a TV station until 1974 (nobody in South Africa saw Neil Armnstrong walk on the moon in 1969, for example).
Other forms of recordings were made, of course. Brunswick Films made a Marlboro sponsored series of films covering the seasons 1970 to 1980 which is one source of GP coverage. However, they didn't attend every race in those seasons and they had a limited number of cameras at each venue.
Once you get to the 60s and earlier you have even less to look at. Youtube has surpirsed me with some decent bits of unexpected TV footage and ESPN have found some good TV recordings from the mid 1970s.
Good hunting.
Before 1981, the record is patchy. FOCA acquired the TV rights for Formula 1 in 1981 (part of the original Concorde Agreement) and every race in the F1 world championship from the 1981 season is available on a DVD season summary.
Before 1981 there was no one rights holder so the recordings of televised F1 races are the property of the TV channels that covered the races. Many TV channels did not retain the recordings as they had a policy of wiping and re-using their video tapes. The further back in time you go, the less likely you are to have a TV recording at all. South Africa, for example, didn't even have a TV station until 1974 (nobody in South Africa saw Neil Armnstrong walk on the moon in 1969, for example).
Other forms of recordings were made, of course. Brunswick Films made a Marlboro sponsored series of films covering the seasons 1970 to 1980 which is one source of GP coverage. However, they didn't attend every race in those seasons and they had a limited number of cameras at each venue.
Once you get to the 60s and earlier you have even less to look at. Youtube has surpirsed me with some decent bits of unexpected TV footage and ESPN have found some good TV recordings from the mid 1970s.
Good hunting.
Keep your eye on the ESPN Classic channel.
They run all the 70s Brunswick recordings as a full series over a couple of weeks every now and again.
I had them all on Sky+ at one point, but they got removed so the missus could put some things like crap films and "how do we solve a problem like dancing with xFactor on ice" on it instead.
They run all the 70s Brunswick recordings as a full series over a couple of weeks every now and again.
I had them all on Sky+ at one point, but they got removed so the missus could put some things like crap films and "how do we solve a problem like dancing with xFactor on ice" on it instead.
SeeFive said:
Keep your eye on the ESPN Classic channel.
They run all the 70s Brunswick recordings as a full series over a couple of weeks every now and again.
I had them all on Sky+ at one point, but they got removed so the missus could put some things like crap films and "how do we solve a problem like dancing with xFactor on ice" on it instead.
dittoThey run all the 70s Brunswick recordings as a full series over a couple of weeks every now and again.
I had them all on Sky+ at one point, but they got removed so the missus could put some things like crap films and "how do we solve a problem like dancing with xFactor on ice" on it instead.
PhillT said:
This is what you want: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002W1AYQ
Sort of.That's the Brunswick Films collection. It's not bad but does have its limitations. The narration (by an American) is a bit odd as he mispronounces quite a few of the more exotically named drivers.
As an earlier poster stated, the complete races are not available, but 30m highlights of each of the 70s seasons are available on DVD.
From the 1981 season onwards, you can buy an official FIA highlights dvd (some of the early 80s ones were narrated by Clive James!).
Try Duke Video for mail order, or Demon Tweeks or the Alex Reade F1 shop in London to get these
From the 1981 season onwards, you can buy an official FIA highlights dvd (some of the early 80s ones were narrated by Clive James!).
Try Duke Video for mail order, or Demon Tweeks or the Alex Reade F1 shop in London to get these
Eric Mc said:
Sort of.
That's the Brunswick Films collection. It's not bad but does have its limitations. The narration (by an American) is a bit odd as he mispronounces quite a few of the more exotically named drivers.
I think they must do several versions - the commentary on the vids I have is by an Englishman and I didn't notice any glaring mistakes of omissions. Apart from completely ignoring the death of Helmuth Koinigg at Watkins Glen.That's the Brunswick Films collection. It's not bad but does have its limitations. The narration (by an American) is a bit odd as he mispronounces quite a few of the more exotically named drivers.
Eric Mc said:
Sort of.
That's the Brunswick Films collection. It's not bad but does have its limitations. The narration (by an American) is a bit odd as he mispronounces quite a few of the more exotically named drivers.
Saw one of these a few years back. Seem to recall the commentator referring to Keke Rosenberg. That's the Brunswick Films collection. It's not bad but does have its limitations. The narration (by an American) is a bit odd as he mispronounces quite a few of the more exotically named drivers.
rabbitonagain said:
Having just watched "Formula 1 : The Killing Years" has just reminded me to search for DVD's of the older races. I only became an F1 fan in the early 80's but would like to have a complete collection of the earlier races. Does anyone know if the footage from every race has been transferred to dvds and if so who are they available from?
With thanks in advance
Hi,With thanks in advance
There's much more available than you realize! From 1978 every race is "available" live (with a few races missing here and there), I'd say there is footage from most races from ~1970 onwards. Oldest live television recording that I have is Monaco '59.
I'd say BBC didn't wipe everything - it could be clearly seen that the footage from last nights 'Racing Legends: Sir Stirling Moss' of the '57 Aintree GP was from the television broadcast back then.
As a little side project I've been listing TV broadcasts on my site (http://motorracingvideoarchive.com/ - TV Broadcasts tab). Rather incomplete but hopefully it'll give you a bit of an overview of TV coverage back in the day. A friend of mine has been listing broadcasts on his own page (https://skydrive.live.com/view.aspx?cid=8D94CC199E340254&resid=8D94CC199E340254!149).
Without wanting to make it sound like an advertisement (especially with my first post!), send me a PM if you're after old recordings
I used to work at the BBC, and indeed, in the Film & Videotape Library. They wiped TONS of stuff, obviously not JUST motor racing, but racing footage from the 50's and 60's is virtually non-existent. Aside ; take a peek at my Lotus 72 dvd : www.lotus72dvd.com
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