By modern standards 'A Sunday in Hell' is a slow documentary. However, it does capture the true spirit of a one day bike race, starting very slowly first thing in the morning, and slowly cranking up the tension until the final sprint.Jorgen Leth had unprecedented access to the riders: Roger de Vlaeminck shaving his legs, Merckx's none stop fiddling with his saddle (constantly looking for comfort after a back injury a couple of years eariler).
It is an idiosyncratic film, which captures an idiosyncratic nation. The 1976 Paris-Roubaix was marred by demonstrations from striking French printers, and Leth gets it all. Angry workers trying to stop the race who suddenly realise they are stood next to their hero - hilarious. Riders beaten by the pave who get a lift to the finish by passing motorists.
Yes, it is dated, but any footage of Paris-Roubaix is watchable and memorable. 1976 was something very special, though, with its demonstrations and shocks, and suprise winner.
The only problem is the lack of subtitles, so aside from the voice over, you get nothing. Saying this, though, aren't all cyclists & cycling fans fluent in at least four languages!
![A Sunday in Hell - Paris-Roubaix bicycle race [1976]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4170DH61BJL._SL75_.jpg){kind=small}
