Senna

Before I begin I'd like to admit that I'm not a fan of F1 (or anything car related to be honest). I look at people who are car obsessives like they are from another planet. Its something to get you from A-B in my eyes, and if it doesn't breakdown then all the better.

However, I remember the Prost-Senna battles and the only time I ever got truly interested in it was when Senna was around. Today they are just men piloting spaceships. He really drove. Plus, my dad hated the sound of it, so used to try and watch it to annoy him!

Documentaries are tricky animals. First you need a fascinating subject, and with Senna, you really have that. He was an idol among the Brazilian people, as well as the sporting world. Kids wanted to be Ayron Senna, women wanted to be with him. His human weakness made him all the more beguiling.



Secondly, you need to tell a story in an interesting and informative manner without boring people with facts and figures. I thought this was paced well and a good length(I understand that there's an extended cut with an extra hour which is way too much). The story has to appeal to the masses, not just fans of the subject. I feel this does. Its a human tale with all the right elements.

There is a great breadth of archive footage used from differing sources that presents a real picture of the man. This is where the film's strengths lie. The footage is used well, breaking up the racing with the story off the track.

A thoroughly entertaining, moving and eloquent piece of documentary film making.