Porsche 917 - The movie (movie review)

Name: Porsche 917 1970
Brand: Porsche

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Created on February 5, 2025

Text:

Balz Schreier

Photos:

McKlein Publishing

Cover of the movie "Porsche 917 - The Movie"

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Sample page from the booklet accompanying the DVD "Porsche 917 - The Movie"

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Bild von Partner Porsche AMAG Mai Foto-Galerie 2026

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Beispielseite aus dem Begleitbuch zur DVD «Porsche 917 – Der Film»

It brought Porsche its first overall victory at Le Mans in 1970, dominated the one-make world championship and triumphed with over 1000 hp in the Canadian-American Challenge Cup (Can-Am for short): The Porsche 917 is one of the most famous racing cars in history, surrounded by myths and legends.

When we heard from McKlein-Verlag that this film was being made and that Helmut Deimel would be directing it, we were very excited. After all, everyone has fond memories of the fantastic rally films that Deimel had produced, with probably the best film sequences ever made of Group B vehicles. So the question quickly arose: How could Deimel be behind the camera at Le Mans when he actually had his heart fully committed to rallying? Answer: Deimel was given full access to the film archive of Porsche and several television stations, skillfully edited this material with his own filmed impressions of the "Rennsport Reunion" in Laguna Seca - et voilà! The result is a wonderful documentary about this racing icon with a running time of a pleasant 82 minutes.

Sample page from the booklet accompanying the DVD "Porsche 917 - The Movie"

Helmut Deimel thus creates a cinematic monument to the racing car from Zuffenhausen. He tells the whole story of the vehicle from its development and presentation in 1969, through the years in the one-make world championship, the leading role in the Le Mans film, the Can-Am and Interseries successes to the record-breaking drive at Talladega in 1975.

In addition to extensive historical footage, the film contains a number of interviews with protagonists such as Kurt Ahrens, Richard Attwood, Derek Bell, Vic Elford, Peter Falk, Hans Herrmann, Willi Kauhsen, Gérard Larousse, Gijs van Lennep, Herbert Linge, Dr. Helmut Marko, Hans Mezger, Ferdinand Piëch, Dieter Quester, Jo Siffert and many more.

Sample page from the booklet accompanying the DVD "Porsche 917 - The Movie"

The film is available as a DVD or in a premium edition with a stunning 60-page accompanying book in maxi format measuring 28 cm x 28 cm.

This film is a must for Le Mans fans; a number of sequences are beautifully summarized here. However, the film should also appeal to all Porsche and racing fans. Even those who have already seen more than 20 Le Mans summaries from the 70s and 80s should find it very appealing.