Vive le Tour (1962)
Directed by Louis Malle

Film Review

Vive le tour is director Louis Malle's affectionate homage to one of France's most treasured institutions, the Tour de France cycle race.  In this short documentary film, Malle and his camera team marvellously capture the ambience of the Tour: the unbridled enthusiasm of the crowds of spectators, the beauty of the French countryside setting, and the gruelling ordeal of the participants.

We see how the cyclists refresh themselves during their marathon races, the sorry effects of dope-taking, the pain and disappointment of injured cyclists and, finally, the indescribable delight of the victors on the podium.  With its eloquent and evocative photography, accompanied by Georges Delerue's enchanting music, this is less a documentary and more a visual poem which says almost all there needs to be said on the greatest cycle race in the world.

Film Synopsis

La Grande Boucle, better known as the Tour de France, is the most eagerly anticipated sporting event in France each year.  In this affectionate documentary short, director Louis Malle pays tribute to the extraordinary heroism and stamina of those who participate in this, the world's greatest cycling competition.  The need to take in refreshments in the course of each stage of the Tour, which can involve impromptu raids on conveniently located bars and cafés, is stressed with some wry humour, before the film turns to more serious matters - the emotional and physical pain of accidents, and the harmed caused by the consumption of performance enhancing drugs.  Whatever personal hardships its contestants have to endure for the love of their sport, the Tour de France remains a great sporting event of national and international prestige.  Malle's film evokes not only the dedication of those who take part in the competition, but also the devotion of everyone who watches it - an annual celebration of human endurance and the noble sport of cycling.