Senna - Genie, Draufgänger, Legende

Ein ähnlicher Fall wie der Dokumentarfilm Klitschko. Die Formel-1-Rennen kommen mir normalerweise nicht besonders interessant vor. Die Geschichte von Ayrton Senna ist aber eine Legende, die auch dann fesselnd ist, wenn man sie nur in groben Zügen kennt. Und dieser ausgezeichnete Film vertieft diese Züge, er stellt den ein wenig seltsamen Charakter eines Mannes, der nur für den Sieg lebte, perfekt dar, er zeigt ihn als lebende Legende… Er ist – ohne zu übertreiben – total genial. Der emotionalste Moment kommt aber nicht am Ende, wenn Senna tödlich verunglückt, sondern nach Sennas erstem Sieg in Brasilien, wenn er trotz der großen Schmerzen den Pokal hochhebt und Champagner trinkt… Großartig… Aber auch bei anderen Szenen läuft einem der Schauer über den Rücken. Manchmal bekommt man sogar feuchte Augen. (25.12.2013)

A truly great documentary, filled with emotions and interwoven with an impressive sports atmosphere. Personally, I never cared much for Formula 1, but Senna was truly a giant, a consummate role model and a likable man in every way, so his life journey, great triumphs and tragic apotheosis was something I was very happy to learn about, and in the end it was hard to hold back the tears. I never thought that a biography consisting mostly of interviews and racing footage could be put together in such an engaging and flawless way. I was wrong. 100% (06.10.2012)

At first glance, an ordinary document about a person who achieved a lot in their sport, but unfortunately, their life was completed too soon for them to accomplish more, but late enough to become a legend. However, the film is presented in a way that gradually builds up and leaves you breathless. You don't even want to see those last moments. (12.04.2016)

I can’t remember a documentary that was so smart and managed cleverly and effectively to work with such a wide range of emotions and was so strong that it could slam any objections to the fact that everything was presented in a way that was uncritical to the immaculate heritage of Ayrton Senna (or else poor Prost who is presented here almost like the devil himself). (03.02.2014)

At first, I was wondering what sort of a lunatic would be capable of creating an almost three-hour documentary about Formula One for the world to see. But in the end, I have to admit that those three hours had a purpose. They cover the Formula One situation at the beginning of 1990s beautifully. Nowadays, as we’re all used to the modern era, one could say that it’s almost unbelievable how political Formula One used to be. Senna seemed very good-hearted. And he probably was since the whole of Brazil mourned for him. This documentary didn’t actually show any negative sides of Senna, but I didn’t really mind that. What’s important is the things he did well, the things he really mastered and could utilize so perfectly that the racers nowadays pale in comparison. But it’s not only about Senna. It’s about the other racers, too. Especially Alain Prost. I think that if Senna hadn’t fought the politicizing and the unauthorized car improvements all his career in Formula One, he probably wouldn’t have gotten mentioned as much. He was the kind of person who decided to oppose the system and use reason over money. Of course, as it happens, not everyone liked it. And he deserves a lot of respect for that. Our politics could use someone like him. But such people are probably born once a decade. (17.11.2013)