Jupiter’s south pole, taken by Cassini NASA.
In June of 1971, with an estimated budget of $7.6 million and another $2 million spent on promotion, Le Mans was released. Behind the scenes, the film had cost McQueen even more: his marriage, his production company, and many friendships. The film failed to earn back its cost, having gone close to $1.6 million over-budget, and McQueen didn’t attend the premiere.
Despite this, Le Mans became a cult film over time. McQueen had wanted to make more of a documentary than a traditional Hollywood blockbuster; with its meticulous attention on the race and the cars, rather than the drivers and drama, Le Mans is one of the most exciting and realistic racing movies ever made – the ultimate racing movie.
Not many people know that the Spiratone auxiliary fish-eye lens (also sold branded as Kenko and Samigon) was used by Stanley Kubrick as the "eye" of HAL9000.
