3 - The Dale Earnhardt Story (2 Disc Collector's Edition)
by Russell Mulcahy
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DVD details
Actor: Barry Pepper, Elizabeth Mitchell, J.K. SimmonsDirector: Russell Mulcahy
Brand: Team Marketing
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 92 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-12-14
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Espn
Product features:
- Officially Licensed
- Highest Quality Recording
DVD Reviews of 3 - The Dale Earnhardt Story (2 Disc Collector's Edition)
DVD Review: Good idea, but unfortunately innacurate
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm glad to see Earnhardt's memory being cherished and honored. I think the actors all did a very good job. And the first part of the movie, showing Earnhardt's tough upbringing, was exceptional (hats off to J.K. Simmons, but I'm used to that by now).
My problems with the movie come during the later stages of it.
Problem number one: Dale's relationship with Darrell Waltrip. In reality, while they were fierce rivals, they were also very good friends. In the movie, they are portrayed as despising each other's very existence. The one scene that really galled me was when Waltrip bragged about telling the press they could "write whatever you want about Earnhardt and his team, they can't read anyway". Are there any NASCAR fans that can imagine DW saying that, not just about another driver, but about a close friend? (which he was, regardless of the movie's inaccurate portrayal)
Problem number two: Earnhardt's general actions off the track when he converses with other drivers. While Dale was certainly a tough, strong-willed, independent guy, he wasn't the malcontent grump that all the other drivers hated in the movie. With the exception of Neil Bonnet, no driver ever showed Dale any kind of respect, instead offering nothing but hostility. Not even close to the truth.
Problem number three: I do NOT like the way the movie ended. They show clips of the 2001 Daytona 500, then show the crash clip. When they show the crash, it starts just as Marlin gets into Dale, then just as Dale's car hits the wall, it fades to white, and there's a shot of Dale as a boy meeting his late father, presumably a "racetrack in heaven type thing". In my opinion, this is just irresponsible, because it fails to show just how much his death hit home. I would have included a montage showing the paramedics arriving, Earnhardt Jr. running to his dad's car after the race, the press release, the memorials all over the country, the silent third laps, Harvick's win at Atlanta, Earnhardt Jr.'s win at the Pepsi 400, etc. Someone with no prior knowledge could even think NASCAR was glad to be rid of him, because all they see is a malcontent guy everyone hates getting killed. The omission of tributes removes an essential piece of the movie-showing just how much Dale meant to NASCAR. People should know about the silent third laps for the rest of the year. People should know about Harvick, driving in just his third race, winning in Dale's car, and driving a victory lap with three fingers out the window and then dedicating it to Dale in victory lane. People should know about Earnhardt Jr. winning the very next race at Daytona, with Waltrip right behind him, then the two of them, in tears, hugging on top of Earnhardt Jr.'s car. All these things should have been included in the movie.
Description of 3 - The Dale Earnhardt Story (2 Disc Collector's Edition)
Biographical story of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. starts with his young life and growing up with his father, Ralph, who raced for a living, but initially wanted more for his son. When Dale quits high school to start driving full time, his father aids him and shows a reluctant pride when he is initially successful. Armed with many of his father's philosophies, Dale pushed himself to be the best. His aggressive track mannerisms earned himself fans and detractors. Fellow racer Neil Bonnett was one of those long time friends and whose death deeply affected Dale. Darrell Waltrip clearly was a detractor and the two men's rivalry is clearly depicted. Off the track, Dale's determination to make it impacts two marriages. Third wife Theresa was closer to racing and met Dale when he had started his rise into the Winston Cup circuit. The story also looks at his relationship with his children, particularly son Kerry from his first marriage and whom he did not see again after age 5 until Kerry in his late teens showed up to meet his father again. Similar to his own father, Dale drove Dale Jr. to be the best, including temporarily sending him to military school when his grades slipped, but like his father, Dale Jr. only wanted to race. Contains mild profanity.Despite a limited TV budget and a tight 20-day shooting schedule, ESPN's 3 pays honorable tribute to NASCAR's greatest hero. Barry Pepper (the ace marksman in Saving Private Ryan) is perfectly cast as Dale Earnhardt, who rose from humble beginnings as a cotton-mill worker to legendary status as "the Intimidator," whose aggressive racing style was frequently controversial. While basing its drama on Earnhardt's relationship with his stern father Ralph (himself a fearless dirt-track champion), Robert Eisele's teleplay struggles with trackside clichés while functioning as both intimate portrait and highlight reel of pivotal races from Earnhardt's career. As directed by Russell Mulcahy (Highlander), the film succeeds as a blue-collar drama about a man driven by destiny--and ominous fate--who embodied the best (and sometimes the worst) of NASCAR culture, popularizing the sport like no driver before or since. All of the essential bases are covered, and the superb supporting cast includes Elizabeth Mitchell as Earnhardt's third wife, Teresa, J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson from the Spider-Man films) as Ralph Earnhardt, and newcomer Marshall McGee as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Titled after Earnhardt's black #3 Goodwrench Chevy, 3 is a conventional TV biopic, but it's essential viewing for those who loved--or even hated--the man who died too young, at age 49, on the final lap at Daytona in 2001.
Bonus features in this two-disc set are abundant and excellent, including an in-depth "making of" featurette, a definitive ESPN documentary on Earnhardt's life and career (featuring a virtual who's-who of NASCAR superstars), a generous archive of Earnhardt interviews, and extensive highlights from four historic races, including Earnhardt's controversial contact with Terry Labonte to win the 1999 Bush 500 at Bristol, and the Earnhardts' (Sr. and Jr.) 1st- and 2nd-place wins at IROC round 3 that same year. All in all, this is DVD heaven for NASCAR fans. --Jeff Shannon
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