McLaren

In his biopic The World's Fastest Indian, director Roger Donaldson paid tribute to the record-breaking achievements of ageing New Zealand biker Burt Munro. Here, he turns his attentions to another Kiwi racing legend Bruce McLaren, although this time Donaldson has opted for a straightforward documentary tracing the extraordinary career - and tragically short life - of the founder of the iconic Formula One motor racing team. Unfolding at a suitably zippy pace, the film tracks McLaren's childhood battle with Legg-Perthes Disease (which left him immobilised in traction for two years), the years as a teenage racing prodigy in his homeland in the 1950s and his triumphs on the international stage in Formula One, the Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans in the 60s. As well a treasure trove of classic racing footage, there is also a wealth of interviews - both new and archival - with colleagues and fellow drivers such as Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti. And while his racing exploits are rightly celebrated, Donaldson devotes equal time to his ability to build ground-breaking cars and the creation of the Formula One team that still bears his name. Petrolheads will be in seventh heaven, but this tale of a brilliant yet down-to-earth man is inspiring enough to appeal to those who have little time for the sport.