The Tortoise and the Hare

During a miserable wet day at school in the early 70's, we were herded into the school assembly hall after lunch, and some 6th formers put this film on the reel to reel projector. I was about 12 at the time. The film was amazing, fantastic scenery and a pretty girl driving an E-Type Jaguar. I don't recall any particular story line, just a lorry and the car overtaking each other. I loved the music and there wasn't any dialogue that I can recall. Sadly classes started before the film ended. I read that this was actually a promotional film from tyre maker Pirelli. I've looked for this film online with no luck. Strange how such a random film made such a great impression.

First saw this film as a supporting film to some main feature in the late 60s. Can't even remember what the main feature was now - does anybody know? Thought it was much better than the main film - the continued soundtrack of Spencer Davies' Keep on Running and the stunning scenery of the Costa Del Sol. Didn't know Dora at the time (see other posting for this film) but married to her now - and have lived the dream - and hope to keep on running for some time yet! We would love to find a copy of this film - does anybody know where to find it. It is only a short film but was beautifully made. I read somewhere else that it was sponsored by Pirelli and made as a promotional film to show off the benefit of Pirelli tyres. It is indeed a remarkable piece of work, short and full of impact and as I said earlier beautifully photographed in Italy. Are Dora and I the only people to have remembered this film? Roger.

I remember this film well.

I ran this film when I was a Projectionist in Liverpool, England.

I have seen it on YouTube in 4 parts but it is a Cam recording of a film showing. Worth a look.

There is a great part where the truck driver is swigging from a huge bottle of red wine while driving on the motorway

I recently confused it with Two for the Road (same year, driving etc) I just watched that one and was waiting for Keep on Running all the way through.

Peter

For all of our hi-tech drone technology nowadays, I doubt we'd ever be able to make a more enjoyable travelogue of Italy as we follow the glamorous young Liz Allsop in a stylish E-type Jaguar as she crosses the country in a sort of race, but not really, with Gino Gottarelli who is at the wheel of a lorry barely capable of making a minimum speed limit never mind a maximum one. As both make their way, they encounter each other whilst the accompaniment plays us a wide variety of Italian (and other) popular and classical music. Aside from being quite a testament to the construction of the Autostrada Del Sole through some of the more hostile geography of this mountainous land, it also serves to show off just how beautiful Italy can be - both in it's ancient towns and villages with the pink stone and slate glinting in the sun through to the jagged mountain tops and sunsets that split the forests with a perfectly photographed brilliance. There's a little mischief, loads of product placement and I couldn't help but wonder why they picked a British car to tour a nation of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Alfa Romeo but the pace of their respective travels works engagingly here. It's clearly designed to showcase all things Italian from the landscape to the Gucci and the Pirelli, and if you just sit back and let it wash over you, then the least you will want is some Chianti with your Mozzarella.

I saw this film as the supporting film - I can't even remember now what the main feature was- in my local cinema in England. I still recall the stunning photography, especially the night scenes, and the soundtrack mixing Spencer Davies Group's 'Keep on Running 'and Italian opera as the lorry driver and the girl in the sports car continuously overtake each other down the (I think) Autostrada del Sole. Enough to make a 13 year old fall in love with Italy. I would love to know if I could get my hands on a copy somehow, along with a lot of other short films from around that time, such as The Home Made Car etc.

As you see from my location - 40 years on - still in love with Italy Dora