Two weeks ago, we reviewed Lap of the Gods, arguably one of the best F1 videos ever produced.  Now, Terrific Stuff brings us The Saga of Formula One – Volume 1, a cornucopia of footage, interviews and anecdotes.  Alain Boisnard’s films and the voice of Bob Constanduros comprise two programs:

The Drivers That Made History  (approx 46 min B&W/Color)

I find the question, “Who is the greatest driver of all time?” as futile as the question, “What is your favorite food?”  How does one compare rice pudding to pepperoni pizza?  Both are amazing, but they exist on two separate planes — and are enjoyed under very different circumstances.  By the same token, it’s hard to compare champions like Juan Manuel Fangio and Ayrton Senna.  Both came along at completely different times, with completely different equipment.  Even if we could magically put Senna in a Maserati and Fangio in a McLaren-Honda, the “greatest driver” answer would still elude us.

Wisely, The Drivers That Made History sets this argument aside and focuses instead on the greatest in each era — something we can be certain of.  We begin with Georges Boillot, the mustachioed hero of the early 1900s.  As the leader of the Peugeot team, he waged an epic battle with Mercedes — foreshadowing future open-wheel rivalries like McLaren and Williams.  Displaced by the surging Italian teams of the 1920s, the 30s saw the Germans return to the forefront with Rudolf Carraciola and Tazio Nuvolari.  Here, the program cleverly flashes forward — comparing Nuvolari to another man of small stature and immeasurable skill:  Gilles Villeneuve.  The Canadian’s legendary duel with René Arnoux at the 1979 French Grand Prix still stands as one of the greatest in F1 history.  Scratch that — sports history.

Returning to the early years, the Grand Prix circuit received a new crop of talent after World War II.  Drivers like Ascari and Farina succeeded the declining Nuvolari.  But it was Juan Manuel Fangio who became the sport’s most celebrated champion — winning the world title five times.  Fangio received a worthy challenge from Stirling Moss, but the Englishman’s choice of teams put him at a mechanical disadvantage.  Bob Constanduros asserts that Fangio was in the right car at the right time.

The 60s saw the arrival of talents like Graham Hill and Jim Clark.  These men and their contemporaries faced a rapidly changing sport — in terms of popularity, technology, sponsorship and safety (one may wonder how Georges Boillot would react to a Gold Leaf Lotus with high wings).  In the midst of such drama, Jackie Stewart provided a counterpoint of poise and professionalism.  Several short interviews with Stewart show us the intelligent, reflective nature of this 3-time World Champion.  Other greats like Alain Prost and Niki Lauda had to adapt their driving styles to the exotic innovations of turbochargers and ground effects — which they both did with uncommon brilliance.  And as good as these men were, they soon faced a monumental challenge — in the form of a Brazilian with a yellow helmet.

Ayrton Senna’s skills were immediately apparent, even in uncompetitive cars.  His dominance in the wet is represented here with film from the infamous 1984 Monaco Grand Prix, and the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix, his first win.  An epic collision (both literal and figurative) was in the cards; Prost refusing to give way to Senna’s rising star.  Even with hindsight, their altercations at Suzuka still shock the senses.

Overall, The Drivers That Made History is a smart compilation that evaluates the greats while keeping them in their respective contexts.  When comparisons across time are made, they are substantive, not abstract.  Moreover, this is the story of how eras overlap each other (Fangio’s overlapping Nuvolari’s, Senna’s overlapping Prost’s).  This pattern will surely continue into the 2010 season and beyond.

Monaco: The Jewel in the Crown (approx 25 min B&W/Color)

In the dictionary under anachronism, it should say, “See Monaco.”  Since 1929, this narrow, twisting circuit has withstood an endless array of rule changes and technological advancements.  Driving modern F1 cars here is like playing with a remote control boat in a bath tub; you can never exploit the full capability of the machine.  So why has it endured all these years?  Is it the extreme wealth?  The overwhelming glamor?  The pomp and circumstance?  Or is it the fact that this circuit seems to nullify technical advantages, making driver skill paramount?  Maybe it’s just the simple fact that this race is so damned difficult of win.  If you’re invited to the royal box, you must be one of the greats.

Whatever the reason, or reasons, no one can deny Monaco’s inherent, universal appeal.  You may not understand why you like it, but you do.  Monaco: The Jewel in the Crown presents the highlights (and a few lowlights) from this event, spanning some seven decades in the process.  Watching these old films, I’m still amazed at how much F1 has changed — and how little Monaco has.  Think about it:  The Loews hairpin.  Mirabeau.  The Tunnel.  Casino Square.  These signature features have remained virtually unchanged for generations.  As Bob Constanduros points out, the only real alteration to Monaco’s layout came in the 1970s, when the swimming pool complex was built behind the pits — actually adding character to the track!  Name another chicane that can make that claim.

There have been some spectacular crashes over the years, several of which are revisited here in a raucous, jaw-dropping compilation.  Indeed, Monaco has always left zero margin for error.  One minor slip-up, one tiny lapse of concentration, and more than likely, its game over.   However, we learn that two drivers made serious miscues during the race and actually went on to win:  Graham Hill’s 1965 victory came after he went down an escape road, pushed his car back on the track, and then set lap records on his way to the win.  In 1982, leader Riccardo Patrese spun on the penultimate lap, only to find himself the winner when the new first and second place cars ran out of fuel!

Perhaps the most scintillating highlights are provided by Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna.   The latter’s 1991 pole lap is shown in all it’s bone-jarring, V-12 shrieking glory.  Mansell tries every way possible and impossible to pass Senna in the closing laps of the ’92 edition.  Even though we know the outcome, we’re still on the edge of our seats.  All in all, Monaco: The Jewel in the Crown is a rich portrait of a one-of-a-kind race.  Some would argue that this anachronism is very soul of Formula One — the one constant in the ever-changing Grand Prix universe.  After viewing this program, I couldn’t agree more.

To order The Saga of Formula One – Volume 1, visit www.terrificstuff.co.uk