A feature-length documentary about legendary British Formula 1 driver James Hunt has gone into production with top motorsport figures thrown in to support it. The film, titled ‘Hunt: We Need to Talk About James’, examines the life of the sprinter who died in 1993 aged 43, and is being produced with the support of the Hunt estate.According to Deadline, Deep Fusion, a production and technology company, is helping to produce. F1 champion Damon Hill and motorsport mogul Bernie Ecclestone have been confirmed as contributors to the documentary, which highlights how the rebellious Hunt became one of the sport’s most enduring and beloved figures. The film is set to be released on the 50th anniversary of Hunt’s spectacular Formula 1 victory in 1976.
Production team and production information
Benjamin Field directs and produces the script, with John Gore serving as executive producer. Ewan Atkinson co-produces the Hunt estate, while Jamie Anderson and Richard Wiseman also serve as business producers, with Wiseman overseeing the legacy. The film’s score is being composed by BAFTA-nominated composer Sam Gale.
The upcoming documentary also traces James Hunt’s journey from Formula 1 champion to one of motorsport’s most memorable figures. Photo credit (Instagram)
Director and Deep Fusion founder Field spoke about his ambitions and importance. “This film wants to do for James Hunt what Senna did for Ayrton Senna, by providing a rare treat to F1 and motorsport fans around the world and to documentaries who love a good story. Hunt: We need to Talk About James is a very personal story, painting the full picture of a man who was flawed, completely driven and unexpectedly mysterious. The film shows a circular image of a human being. Hunt is still one of the biggest names in British sports and this film means a lot to me personally. Growing up listening to his commentary made me the F1 fan I am today, so directing this documentary is a real privilege,” he said.
James Hunt’s son, Freddie Hunt, says the documentary will provide a more complete and personal portrait of the Formula 1 legend. Photo (Instagram).
Freddie Hunt’s thoughts on writing
Freddie Hunt, James Hunt’s son, expressed his interest in the project and the opportunity to provide a full portrait of his father. “Dads are often portrayed as something of a caricature. I am very happy that, for the first time, the world will see both sides of a man – and already during the filming, stories have come to light that have never been told before,” said Freddie Hunt.
The Director’s previous work is a technical process
Field is best known for his work on the Thunderbirds documentary Gerry Anderson. The film, ‘Gerry Anderson: A Life Uncharted’, which was created as a platform for distribution and purchase worldwide, used AI technology to recover old footage and bring Anderson back to the screen to talk about his life and work, showing Field’s artistic approach to filmmaking and his ability to combine the past with modern technology.