The Racers 1955 DVD - Kirk Douglas / Bella Darvi

Race-car driver Gino Borgesa meets ballerina Nicole Laurent when her pet poodle causes a crash at the track. Nicole persuades an ex-lover to fund Gino's new car, and romance blooms, though Gino warns her that racing always comes first. After Gino wins a grueling 1,000-mile race, he’s hired by a successful team managed by the hesitant Maglio, who is convinced to take a chance thanks to veteran driver Carlos Chavez. Nicole soon finds herself troubled by Gino’s callousness after a mechanic's death at the track. A major crash in Brussels leaves Gino badly injured, and only Nicole's intervention prevents doctors from amputating his leg. As he recovers, Gino becomes addicted to painkillers and begins racing recklessly, alienating those close to him. He even insults young French driver Michel Caron, upsetting Nicole even further. Gino’s self-destructive path comes to a head when he refuses to let Carlos win his final race, despite instructions from Maglio. Isolated and forgotten as his reputation declines, Gino pleads for Nicole’s return, only to discover she's now with Michel. In a redemptive moment, Gino allows Michel to surpass him on the track, coming to terms with his past. Cast: - Kirk Douglas as Gino Borgesa - Bella Darvi as Nicole Laurent - Gilbert Roland as Dell'Orro - Cesar Romero as Carlos Chavez - Lee J. Cobb as Maglio Runtime: 88 minutes