Ferrari remakes one-take C’était un rendez-vous

Ferrari SF90 Stradale in Monaco for the filming of Le Grand Rendez-vous

Is this sacrilege? Ferrari has recreated the cult classic C’était un rendez-vous, this time on the streets of Monaco instead of Paris…

Ferrari has recreated one of the most famous cult car movie classics – with a twist. The Italian car maker has joined forces with French movie director Claude Lelouch (who directed the original 1976 one-take 10min feature) to put a modern spin on the legendary blast through Paris that created the 1976 underground hit C’était un Rendez-vous, or simply Rendez-vous.

Director Lelouch told BFM TV about the filming: “We’re going to try to offer a message of hope, to show that despite this crap life goes on, that despite this virus, cars keep on running. It’s a message of hope to show that things may be a little different now, but that the enthusiasm is still there.

“I had a great time. We’re going to try to give you a great ride on this circuit, which is the most beautiful in the world. I hope that this ride will give us hope and desire to continue to play with life.”

Ferrari SF90 Stradale in Monaco for the filming of Le Grand Rendez-vous

In the original, Lelouch thrashed a Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 through the streets of Paris in a daring driving display where the car reportedly hit more than 200km/h – skilfully dodging pedestrians, trucks and other cars along the cobblestoned route before meeting a mystery blonde lady at the finishing point of Sacre Coeur.

But the soundtrack of the car screeching and revving through the streets was replaced with that of a Ferrari 275GTB, its V12 engine providing the perfect aural accompaniment for the excitement of the iconic short film.

Ferrari SF90 Stradale in Monaco for the filming of Le Grand Rendez-vous

Rather than an illegal run done under the noses of authorities, the modern Rendez-vous took place in Monaco and was sanctioned by Monaco police and Prince Albert II of Monaco, who even makes an appearance in the film, titled Le Grand Rendez-vous and to be released in full on June 13, 2020.

Rather than just the sound of a Ferrari, the car used in the modern Rendez-vous was indeed a Ferrari in the form of the upcoming SF90 Stradale, complete with three electric motors and a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that combined make 736kW, or 1000 horsepower.

Fittingly, the movie shoot took place on the day the Formula 1 cars were due to race around the streets of Monte Carlo in the 2020 Monaco Grand Prix, which was cancelled due to coronavirus.

Ferrari SF90 Stradale in Monaco for the filming of Le Grand Rendez-vous

Behind the scenes images show two red Ferrari SF90 Stradales were used for the film shoot, one with a sizeable metal boom mounted to its tail to carry cameras. The SF90 Stradale was driven by young Ferrari Formula 1 ace Charles Leclerc, who knows the streets of Monaco better than most; he was born in Monaco and is the first Monégasque F1 driver since 1994.

Ferrari SF90 Stradale in Monaco for the filming of Le Grand Rendez-vous (left: Claude Lelouch and F1 driver, Charles Leclerc)

Leclerc had a clear run of the 3.3-kilometre Monaco grand prix track, which includes the slowest corner on the F1 calendar, some stunning seaside scenery and the legendary tunnel.

During filming he hit 240km/h in a car claimed to hit 100km/h in 2.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 340km/h.

Ferrari SF90 Stradale in Monaco for the filming of Le Grand Rendez-vous

“I was a bit scared with four-wheel drive at the beginning but I have to say I’m just extremely impressed,” said Leclerc after the high-speed blast. “It’s so fun to drive and the rear is still moving quite a lot.” Not that the 22-year old F1 driver is planning a shift to the bright lights of Hollywood anytime soon. “I don’t consider myself as an actor after today because at the end the only thing I’ve done is driving, which is what I do for most of the season,” he said.

This isn’t the first time a car maker has had a crack at remaking LeLouch’s original short film. Ford (which Lelouch was involved with), Nissan. Jay Leno, Jeremy Clarkson and others have all produced homages to the original. The film will be shown on 13 June.

Watch the original:

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