3: The Dale Earnhardt Story

I watched this movie twice during the weekend it premiered, and for the record I have been a die-hard Dale Earnhardt fan and follower since the late 1980's. I really wish somehow that ESPN and the Earnhardt family could have worked together on this; it would have been so much better and more accurate. I also think ESPN could have used the Dale Earnhardt: Determined book by Benny Phillips as a good reference; it was the only book published with Earnhardt's authorization himself. The acting was great considering what they had to work with. I have already read a lot of reviews, most of them expressing concern over the lack of Earnhardt's story on the racetrack. If you have followed Dale's career, the fact that he won so many races, had a love-hate relationship with fans, won 7 championships, and the elusive Daytona 500 is all common knowledge, and we have all been there to experience his on track accomplishments and argue his style and reputation. What we know so little about Earnhardt is his life off the racetrack, how he came to be a Winston Cup driver, and what's most intriguing to me, his relationship with his father, Ralph Earnhardt. That was the focus of this movie. The only things I know about Earnhardt off the racetrack is written in books or expressed vaguely in interviews. There is no doubt that three of the biggest things Dale Earnhardt was most proud of off the racetrack was the guidance of and relationship with his father, his relationship with Teresa, and his concern for Dale, Jr. as Jr. tries to build his racing career. That's what this movie tries to do, but since the Earnhardts and ESPN couldn't come to terms on the movie, it's hard to tell what is true and what isn't. One thing I do know for sure is that the movie could have used a lot more of Richard Childress. Richard was so vital in developing Dale as a driver, and while the movie portrays the relationship with Neil Bonnett extensively, it seems to leave out a third common thread in Childress. Childress was also very close to Neil Bonnett, Bonnett died in a Childress car after Childress seemed to be the only car owner willing to give a hungry driver a chance at a comeback. At the same time, I think ESPN may have been wise to tread lightly on the Childress issue, since Childress was opposed to the unauthorized making of the movie. The other things I think could have been adjusted, but I think was just Hollywood-style filmmaking were the inaccuracies of Dale's quotes (the rattle the cage quote happened after the Goody's 500 in 1999 at Bristol, and the kerosene rag quote was a response to a reporter's question asking Earnhardt's opinion of NASCAR introducing restrictor plates at Daytona and Talladega), Jake Elder leaving after Osterlund sold the race team to Stacy (Elder actually left after Dale's rookie season with Osterlund, putting a 20-year-old Doug Richert in position to guide Dale's first championship, long before Osterlund sold the race team). The Darrell Waltrip stuff early in the movie could have been polished up a little, and a better actor could have been used (although no one can act like Darrell except Darrell himself), but the ending of the movie with Darrell announcing made up for it (many new or non NASCAR followers would probably never realize it was Darrell announcing at the end, though). A lot of people expressed concern over the lack of the Earnhardt-Jeff Gordon rivalry, but you know what? There was no rivalry, because both drivers were great at different times. The only time Gordon and Earnhardt had anything resembling a rivalry was the 1995 season (and here's another great Earnhardt quote not used in the movie) when Gordon edged Earnhardt, and Earnhardt made the remark about having to serve milk at the banquet because Gordon was too young to drink wine. After Earnhardt won the 1995 Brickyard 400, Earnhardt claimed to be the first man to win the race, hinting that Gordon was the first boy to win it when he did the year before. Nothing was ever mentioned about Dale's time with Bud Moore in 1982-1983, while Childress spent time preparing a better race team upon Earnhardt's return to RCR in 1984. I thought the Daytona 500 scenes were a little out of place at times, the first caution with Andretti happened after and not before the last round of pit stops (when Earnhardt came out first, and then-teammate Skinner in second, then the two Andretti cautions came out, the latter that sealed the race for Dale). But nothing was made of Earnhardt's bad luck in the 500 to build up to the triumphant and jubilation of Earnhardt finally winning it in 1998. I would like to have seen a more joyful, prankster Dale Earnhardt, much like the way Neil Bonnett was played. Dale was very sentimental, but not somber and over-reflective as the movie portrays him to be at times. Barry Pepper could have also added a little bulk to his character's stature; Earnhardt was a robust 6'1" 200 pounds, versus the skinny, frail looking Earnhardt we see later in the movie. The crash flashbacks/nightmares I felt were unnecessary because Earnhardt was too fearless and unconcerned about his bad crashes, and never mentioned once at all about being afraid in a race car. If anything, I do remember his voice quivering and almost being in tears after having to give up his seat for Skinner in the 1996 Brickyard, a week after his bad crash at Talladega; that showed a lot about his desire and his determination about being in a race car. As for the ending, I don't think there could be a more emotional, appropriate, and tasteful ending; followed by video clips of the real Earnhardt in the closing credits; reminded me a lot of the Lane Frost material at the end of another tear-jerker in 8 Seconds. All in all, for the entertainment value of the movie it was very good; if you are looking to use this as a factual, biographical account of Dale Earnhardt's life, I don't think it is very accurate and true; but it could have been. Maybe this will prompt the big-name Hollywood folks to take a look at this and create a more complete and accurate movie; but only if they can get the story from the Earnhardt family themselves, that's the only way we'll ever know the true and real Dale Earnhardt. I am looking forward to the bonus features on the DVD in addition to a good, entertaining movie.

Purchased as used product, arrived new on the box!!!

I wanted to give this DVD 4 1/2 stars but it isn't possible. This movie gives a different twist on Earnhardt, one that allows us to see into the MAKING of the MAN. Intimidated himself by his father, Dale intimately knew what intimidation meant. It stands to reason you can't initimidate, as well as Dale did, without really "knowing" what it means. This movie sheads light on that fact and opens our eyes to deeper demension of our beloved Dale3. If his dad had not been hard on him, Dale may not have been the man we knew. This movie also shows the Earnhardt Racing Legacy. Not just Dale, but Ralph8, Dale3, and Dale Jr8. It shows how racing was a part of Earnhardt blood ... the passion for it ... the words of their patriarch being passed through the generations ... maybe even to Dale III or Dale IV? Ralph8 was a legend in his time when NASCAR racing wasn't as big as it is today. Dale3 an even bigger legend today, and Dale Jr8 the legend to come. This is something I'm sure most Earnhardt Racing fans have never contemplated until this film. Sure, we know Dale's racing facts and I would like to relive more of the facts myself. At the same time, I appreciate any new insight into the INTIMIDATOR. I want to know it all.

Collectible

For all you Earnhardt fans this is a must for your collection!! Barry Pepper is the best they could have had to play the great role of Dale Earnhardt in this film.Its no wonder he was nominated for a Golden Globe and Emmy award.The collectors edition here is loaded with tons of extras you'll enjoy.Movie is 92 minutes,widescreen version,Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundBonus features:Interviews with Dale EarnhardtAn inside look at the LegendSpectacular racing footage from Dales best races on ESPN: 1993 Hooters 500---Atlanta Motor Speedway 1995 Save Mart supermarkets 300---Sonoma,Ca 1999 Busch 500---Bristol,TN 1999 IROC round 3 Mich International Speedway---Brooklyn,MIThe making of "3" featuretteDocumentary on the life & legacy of Dale EarnhardtGuest appearances: 2 minute drill Ultimate outdoors with Wayne Pearson

I’ve seen the movie before and this disc was everything I wanted

I am a new fan to NASCAR, so I really wasn't too up on the life of The Intimidator. Hence, I bought this movie. This was a good movie. I learned a lot about the man, the myth and the legend. From what people tell me it was pretty accurate. The actors were highly believeable, which was important for me, and the movie was not cheesy. It was a solid movie. I am glad I got it and I will certainly watch it again and again. The bonus features were cool as well. Interviews, documentaries, race clips and highlights--it has it all! I was really pleased with this product and learned a lot about Dale Earnahardt.

I owned one of the first copies of this movie back when it came out (it's in storage in another state).There is a few differences in reality with the story, for drama effects. The makers of this movie did get with the Earnhardt "kids", along with others in the Earnhardt and racing circles, to get as accurate and real as possible.With his death being 12 years ago, this is a great way to be able to reminisce about the Intimidater.If you are a Sr fan, this is worth it.

DISK1は９０分の本編（日本語字幕無し／英語字幕付）と特典映像。（メイキング＋マリオアンドレッティやリチャードペティ／バディべーカーのインタビューが入っています。　DISK2はSr本人のインタビューとレースのダイジェストとSrがゲスト出演したUSのTV番組が２本入っています。　レースダイジェストはテリーラボンテをバンプアウトして大ブーイングを浴びたブリストルや唯一のロードコースの勝利、IROCでラストラップに息子をインティミディトして僅差で勝利したレース等入っています。　NASCAR好きは字幕を見なくてもある程度の内容は分かると思います。　　特典映像だけでも十分見応えがあります。　　先日DVDが発売された[1998　DAYTONA500]やCSで以前中継のあった[2001　DAYTONA500][2001　PEPSI400]をご覧になられた方は是非おすすめです　残念なのはリージョン１で作成されているので国内のプレーヤーでは見ることは出来ません。

As a huge Dale Earnhardt fan I was very pleased with this account of his life. As far as TV movies go this was a great effort, lots of time and , I imagine, money spent recreating the cars and scenes throughout the timeline. Barry Pepper does a fantastic job in the lead role - not many actors can pull off playing one character from their late teens all the way through to his late forties with very little if any prosthetic makeup. He also carries of the persona of Dale Sr very well, or at least as I would have expected him to be.The story itself is touching and heartfelt. I would imagine that even someone who had never heard of Dale Earnhardt would still enjoy this movie. It doesn't fall into the typical overly masculine box that many sports and sports biopics can.I must have watched it about ten times and it hasn't faded over that period. That's fairly impressive for, as I said, a TV movie production. Well done to all involved....and God bless you Dale.

Perfect gift

One hell of a video

Loved this movie!