This portrait of Jacques Anquetil is first and foremost a way to see through appearances, to understand and love, over and above physical attributes. The most genuine cycling genius, along with Fausto Coppi will always remain an enigma in the eyes of the public at large. The portrait of the champion cannot be separated from that of the man, who offers two radically opposed faces (cold, measured, careful and calculating in society, but a big spender and generous with those close to him). It also opens our eyes to his history, and reminiscences of a changing era – Anquetil is emblematic of the Sixties, and was a forerunner of the modern age.

Credits

Directed by

Philippe Kohly

Produced by

Cie des Phares et Balises, France 2, INA

Distribution:

INA

Technical information

Copyright :

1997

Running time:

55 minutes

Broadcasts :

France 2 (7/07/1997)

Awards

Silver Paladino at the 19th international sporting film festival in Palermo, 1997

Press reviews

‘An intelligently produced document, which is well put together and gets its facts straight, interspersed with most valuable interviews’ – TELERAMA, French TV magazine