Rush
Movie, 2013, The 2010s, Set in Formula One, 1976
Rush is #27 of 35 in release order and #27 of 35 in chronological order in the Sports Movies.
The story
In the 1970s, a rivalry propels race car drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt to fame and glory — until a horrible accident threatens to end it all.
Rush recap
Rush (2013) dramatises the 1976 Formula One season and the rivalry between the British playboy James Hunt and the cool, methodical Austrian Niki Lauda. Ron Howard directs the motor racing biopic from a script by Peter Morgan. James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) first clash in a Formula Three race in 1970. Lauda borrows money to buy his way into Formula One, moves to Ferrari and wins the 1975 title, while Hunt's Hesketh team folds and he joins McLaren. Hunt marries the model Suzy Miller (Olivia Wilde), who later leaves him for Richard Burton, and Lauda marries Marlene Knaus (Alexandra Maria Lara), then worries that happiness has made him vulnerable. At the rain-soaked German Grand Prix, Lauda asks the drivers to cancel the race and Hunt helps vote him down. Lauda's Ferrari crashes and burns, and he is pulled out with severe burns to his head and lungs. Rush follows Warrior and precedes Creed in this list.
Rush ending explained
Rush ends with Hunt winning the 1976 championship by one point and Lauda reflecting on him after his death. Six weeks after the crash, Lauda returns scarred to finish fourth at Monza. In the downpour at the Japanese Grand Prix, Lauda pulls into the pits after two laps, judging the risk too great, and Hunt finishes third. Later, at an airfield in Bologna, Lauda urges Hunt to defend his title, and Hunt says the life is the prize. In voiceover Lauda says Hunt died at 45 and calls him the only person he envied.
Post-credits scenes
No. Rush has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Rush
Rush isn't on a US streaming service right now. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.1/10, Rotten Tomatoes 88%
Where it fits
Cast
- Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt
- Daniel Brühl as Niki Lauda
- Olivia Wilde as Suzy Miller
- Alexandra Maria Lara as Marlene Lauda
- Pierfrancesco Favino as Clay Regazzoni
- David Calder as Louis Stanley
- Natalie Dormer as Nurse Gemma
- Stephen Mangan as Alastair Caldwell
- Christian McKay as Lord Hesketh
- Alistair Petrie as Stirling Moss
- Colin Stinton as Teddy Mayer
- Julian Rhind-Tutt as Anthony 'Bubbles' Horsley
Directed by Ron Howard.