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The Great Race

Name: The Great Race
Director: Blake Edwards
Released: 1965
Duration: 160 min

Representation Score

3.7/10

Limited

1965

Director

Blake Edwards

Runtime

160 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Great Race is a large-scale comedy that emphasizes slapstick humor and competition over progressive social representation. While the film benefits from a wide international scope, it remains rooted in its era, using cultural stereotypes and caricatures to fuel its comedic plot. Gender dynamics are heavily centered around a male rivalry, relegating women to secondary roles. Additionally, the film lacks any significant representation of LGBTQ+ identities or disability, focusing instead on the physical comedy of its main characters. Ultimately, the film’s strength lies in its light-hearted dismantling of institutional authority and traditional morality, even as it falls short in providing nuanced or multi-layered character development.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Great Race have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows traditional 1960s structures where everyone is assumed to be straight or cisgender. There are no representations of non-cisgender identities or same-sex relationships, focusing instead on binary romantic relationships.

How does The Great Race portray gender?

Limited

The story centers around a competition between two male characters, Leslie and Fate, emphasizing a male-dominated rivalry. Women are mainly portrayed as romantic partners or spectators, reinforcing a male-focused competitive environment.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Great Race?

Fair

The film features a global setting with diverse characters, but they are often depicted as exaggerated caricatures. The movie relies on broad stereotypes rather than detailed, multi-layered character development.

How does The Great Race represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film challenges authority by showing officials as clumsy obstacles. It portrays anti-social behavior and sabotage as humorous liberation rather than ethical misconduct.

Does The Great Race include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no meaningful depiction of disability. Physical actions are used solely for slapstick humor without giving characters with disabilities any significant role in the narrative.

Present on Screen

The film offers a broad canvas through its global setting, showcasing international variety.
It effectively challenges authority by depicting institutional figures as comedic obstacles.

Limited or Absent

The film relies on cultural caricatures rather than nuanced, individual characterizations.
Gender roles are limited, with women serving mostly as romantic foils to the male leads.
There is a lack of meaningful representation for LGBTQ+ identities and disability.

Official Synopsis

Professional daredevil and white-suited hero, The Great Leslie, convinces turn-of-the-century auto makers that a race from New York to Paris (westward across America, the Bering Straight and Russia) will help to promote automobile sales. Leslie's arch-rival, the mustached and black-attired Professor Fate vows to beat Leslie to the finish line in a car of Fate's own invention.

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