Detailing the turbulent production of Steve McQueen’s ill-fated passion project Le Mans, Steve McQueen is a fascinating and entertaining documentary which offers plenty of interesting facts and tidbits, as well as some excellent never-seen-before archive footage.

Always lively, Steve McQueen adroitly balances its examinations of both the man and the film of its title. Interviewees are well-chosen, with McQueen’s first wife, son, and many former colleagues contributing anecdotes to form a well fleshed-out account of McQueen’s most difficult years.

However, it veers, at times towards the faintly hagiographic, as McQueen rarely appears to be held remotely accountable for Le Mans’ near failure.

Steve McQueen: The Man and Le Mans is enjoyable and revealing, but it never quite feels like it’s digging as deep as you’d like it to.

RATING: 3/5

INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Gabriel Clarke, John McKenna

SYNOPSIS: Documentary. Steve McQueen: The Man and Le Mans is the behind-the-scenes story of the difficult production of Steve McQueen’s motor-racing passion project, Le Mans.

Steve McQueen: The Man and Le Mans was screened as part of the Thrill Gala at the 2015 London Film Festival.