Romulus Returns to Siam (2008)
1h 0min
- General info
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- Synopsis:
This is the story of a famous E.R.A. Fifty years ago a famous racing driver and an equally famous car made motor racing history and became legends. The car's name was Romulus, a British E.R.A. painted in the blue and yellow colours of what was then known as Siam. The driver was Prince Bira. This fascinating film portrays the story of how two Siamese princes, Prince Bira and his cousin and manager Prince Chula, established the White Mouse team and took on the top racing drivers of the 1930's. Bira won the BRDC Gold Star three years in succession and Siam's name became well known in a world predominantly monopolised by European drivers. One dream remained, to race Romulus in front of their home crowd. In 1939, Chula had finalised plans for the Bangkok Grand Prix when the intervention of World War II cancelled the event. Fifty years later, Prince Chula's daughter Narisa Chakrabongse fulfilled her father's dream. Fifteen historic racing cars were assembled for the Bangkok Historic Grand Prix, a two-part event held on the original intended circuit through the streets of Bangkok and at the modern Pattaya International circuit. As well as assembling Romulus and five other ex-Bira cars, Narisa also invited no less than five Bugattis, two MGs and a BMW. Eight cars came from the UK, six from Australia and one from the USA. Romulus, regarded as a legend by the Thai people, led the cars in a demonstration run both at Bangkok and Pattaya, driven by Narisa. Rodney Felton's powerful Alfa recorded the fastest time in Bangkok, but on the twisty Pattaya circuit some delightful surprises took place! Include rare high quality pre-war colour and black and white footage from Narisa Chakrabongse's archives. This is almost 60 glorious minutes of motor racing history. - Studio:
- Duke
- Genres:
- Children & Family, Documentary, Special Interest, Sports & Sport Films