Vive le Tour

Vive le Tour is a rousing and exciting homage to the world-renowned annual bicycle race, the Tour de France. Initially released in 1962, this beloved classic was directed by the celebrated French filmmaker Louis Malle. Starring renowned sports personalities like Jean Bobet, Jacques Anquetil, and Raymond Poulidor, the film provides an exclusive and unparalleled look into the realities of competitive cycling and passion for the sport.

The movie pairs actual footage from the 1962 Tour de France event with Malle's outstanding storytelling to cast a spotlight on this physically demanding and emotionally exhausting competition. Despite it being categorized as a short documentary, the film focuses chiefly on its captivating narrative than sheer statistics and technicalities.

Vive le Tour offers an insightful look at the world of professional cycling by featuring the struggles, triumphs, and camaraderie of these athletes. Jacques Anquetil, a five-time winner of the race, is presented in his prime. Similarly, Jean Bobet and Raymond Poulidor are notable cyclists who feature alongside him. The exacting physical toll and mental strain the tour has on these remarkable athletes is shown candidly.

This documentary superbly encompasses the scale of the 4,000 kilometers, 22-day race. The cinematic approach brilliantly captures the breath-taking landscapes of France. It also explores the crowd's reaction, an enthusiastic, supportive French public that is an integral part of a race as exhaustive as this one.

Through Malle's eyes, we also see the behind-the-scenes aspects of such a high-stakes competition that are usually obscured from public view: the strategic planning that goes into every stage of the race, the tour's rapid and intense dynamics, the team's backstage dynamics, and, paradoxically, the loneliness each individual rider must overcome as they push their limits.

Vive le Tour doesn't mince words when it approaches the toll the race takes on cyclists. The film takes a clear-eyed perspective on the race, showcasing the raw determination and resilience required to tackle each stage. Sweat, pained expressions, injuries, and exhaustion are laid bare in this candid depiction of the Tour.

Consequently, the spirit of sportsmanship among the athletes and the true spirit of the Tour de France unfurl brilliantly on the screen. The film gives equal weight to the riders collapsed by the roadside, unable to continue due to exhaustion and the elation and pride of the cyclists at the finish line, laying bare the essence of the sport.

This film also offers a historical glimpse of the Tour as it was in the 1960s, offering a priceless snapshot of a unique period in the history of one of the world's most prestigious annual sporting events. It is a treat for sports historians and enthusiasts, providing a complete picture of the sport at a different time and era.

Mere glimpses of this event of enormous magnitude feel insufficient to present a complete portrait of it. Yet, through Malle's masterful direction and the impeccable performances by the athletes, Vive le Tour manages to encapsulate the spirit, journey, and anticipation that surrounds this grand event in a mere 18-minute duration. It showcases the human spirit at its pinnacle, pushing boundaries, transcending limits, and celebrating the shared joy of accomplishment.

The stirring narration, together with the strongly-effective black-and-white cinematography, only serve to enhance the raw, emotional roller-coaster that is the Tour de France.

For those uninitiated to the world of cycling, Vive le Tour provides a gateway, an enthusiasm-sparking initiation to the sport. To those already keen on it, the film is a testament to the indefatigable spirit of the athletes who take part in this race and a manifestation of the passion that underlies every pedal, every mile, every win, and every defeat.

In concluding, Vive le Tour is more than just a documentary filmabout the 1962 Tour de France; it is an ageless testament to the human spirit's capacity to conquer adversity and taste victory even amidst unimaginable hardship. Whether or not one is a fan of the sport, the film immerses the viewer in a world of determination, dedication, and raw emotion that is both inspiring and infectious. A movie that remains as vital and stirring now as it was nearly six decades ago. Considered one of Malle's lesser-known works but is nonetheless a masterpiece that is not to be missed.