release dateMay 1969director James Goldstonestarring Paul Newman
Joanne Woodward
Robert Wagnerrating & Run TimeM / 2h 3mFun FactRichard Thomas’ first major acting credit. Where to watch Amazon Prime

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Although it’s now older than most car movies, Winning is a good examination of the American racing scene in the late 1960s. It’s also worth noting that, because of this film, Paul Newman got into racing. Winning is one of those rare car-oriented films that takes its subject seriously and treats it with the appreciation it deserves.
Living Two Lives

Winning is a 1969 drama about professional racecar driver Frank Capua (Newman). After winning a CanAm race at Elkhart Lake, Frank meets Elora (played by Newman’s wife, Joanne Woodward). After a whirlwind romance, Frank and Elora get married. Elora has a teenage son from her first marriage, Charley (Richard Thomas), and the two become very close; Frank becomes a needed father figure, and Charlie gives some much-needed grounding to Frank’s life. 

But, like many racers, Frank is so obsessed with what he does he starts to neglect his marriage. Elora has an affair with Frank’s main rival and teammate, Luther “Lou” Erding (Robert...