Review: 'Schumacher '94' moves as it revisits Imola and the birth of a legend — but dodges Damon Hill like Benetton dodged scrutineering

This is a review. 'Schumacher '94 — The Birth of a Legend', which arrived on Netflix this Friday (Oct. 2), smartly narrows its focus: instead of another full biography, Christin Freitag's film, produced by Germany's Leonine, follows only the 1994 season, from the win in Brazil to the title decided by a single point in Adelaide. Over about 1 hour 45 minutes, the archive footage and sound design are its greatest assets: watching the young Schumacher harden race by race while 'Schumania' sweeps Germany is fascinating. Michael appears only in period footage; speaking for him are Corinna, Willi Weber, Flavio Briatore, Pat Symonds, Bernie Ecclestone and David Coulthard.

The Imola section, roughly a quarter of the runtime, is the strongest and the hardest to watch, precisely because we know what is coming. Ayrton Senna's death (and Roland Ratzenberger's the day before) becomes the story's turning point, summed up by Weber's line that Michael was different after that weekend. The closing credits dedicate the film to both drivers, a fitting and moving gesture.

The problem is what is left out. The Silverstone black flag, the two-race ban, the illegal plank at Spa, traction-control suspicions and the Hockenheim pit fire all appear, but always from the German's angle, as if everyone else were the villain. Damon Hill, his direct rival, appears only in 1994 footage, with no new interview, and the Adelaide collision is shown without the context that made it one of F1's most controversial moments. It is a moving film for fans and almost a tribute, but as a historical document it lacks nerve. Score: 7/10