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Biographical documentary

Senna (2011): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Senna (2011) movie poster

Senna is a 2011 biographical documentary directed by Asif Kapadia, starring Ayrton Senna. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $10.2 million worldwide. It won 2 awards from 3 nominations, including Best Documentary at the BAFTA 2012. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.5/10.

IMDb rating
8.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$10.2M
awards won
2
Senna (2011) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Asif Kapadia
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Senna About?

The premise of Senna without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This documentary explores the extraordinary life and career of Ayrton Senna, one of the greatest Formula 1 racing drivers of all time. From his early beginnings to his untimely death in 1994, the film charts his relentless drive for perfection and his intense rivalry with fellow drivers. Featuring previously unseen archival footage, it provides an intimate look at Senna's dedication, ambition, and the pressures he faced both on and off the track, captivating audiences whether they are familiar with racing or not.

Senna Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • formula 1
  • speed
  • crash helmet
  • brazilian abroad
  • motor sports
  • formula one
  • auto racing
  • brazilian sportspeople
  • car racing
  • formula one world champion
  • formula one racing
  • formula one driver
+38 more
  • racing accident
  • pilot
  • professional sportsman
  • racecar
  • racecourse
  • risk taking
  • pouring champagne over one's head
  • racing
  • world champion
  • championship
  • racing driver
  • reference to ayrton senna
  • year 1980
  • year 1979
  • year 1978
  • year 1994
  • year 1993
  • year 1992
  • year 1991
  • car accident
  • speeding
  • tarmac
  • car
  • motor
  • ayrton senna
  • 1970s
  • mclaren
  • fatal accident
  • motor vehicle
  • brazilian flag
  • risk taker
  • brazilian carnival
  • car damage
  • fatal head injury
  • racecar crash
  • motorsports sport
  • sports documentary
  • world
Cast & crew

Senna Cast

Ayrton Senna stars in Senna. Directed by Asif Kapadia.

Ratings

Senna Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Senna 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.5/10.

Plot

Senna Plot Summary

What happens in Senna from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The 2010 documentary, Senna, delves deep into the life and career of the legendary Formula One driver, Ayrton Senna. It opens with a glimpse of a promising rookie, who burst onto the Formula One scene in 1984, driving for Toleman and later, the well-respected Lotus team. As Senna’s career progresses, he joins McLaren, where he finds himself embroiled in a fierce rivalry with his teammate, Alain Prost. This rivalry isn’t merely about racing; it intertwines with political tensions in the sport, particularly with Jean-Marie Balestre, the head of F1 at the time.

Full summary

The whole story of Senna, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Senna Box Office

Senna grossed $10.2 million worldwide. $1.6 million came from the US and Canada and $8.6 million (84%) from the rest of the world.

2011 box office

Worldwide gross

$10.2M

US & Canada
$1.6M
International
$8.6M
US & Canada 16% Rest of the world 84%
Awards

Senna Awards & Nominations

Senna won 2 awards from 3 nominations, including Best Documentary at the BAFTA 2012.

2 wins3 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Senna Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Senna.

SENNA - Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Senna?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year did Ayrton Senna begin his Formula One career?

Details

Senna Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “塞纳” and “Ayrton Senna: Beyond the Speed of Sound”.

Also known as
  • 塞纳
  • Ayrton Senna: Beyond the Speed of Sound
  • Senna: O Brasileiro
  • O Herói
  • O Campeão
  • Ayrton Senna: Onsoku no Kanata e
  • Сенна
  • Ayrton Senna
  • Beyond the Speed of Sound
  • 세나: F1의 신화
  • 永远的车神
  • Άιρτον Σένα
+9 more
  • סנה
  • 車神洗拿
  • Айртон Сена
  • 極速傳奇:冼拿
  • سينا
  • アイルトン・セナ~音速の彼方へ
  • सेन्ना
  • เซนนา นักแข่งเจ้าตำนาน
  • سنا

Seen Senna?

FAQ

Senna FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Senna, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Senna?

Senna runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Senna released?

Senna was released on August 12, 2011.

Who directed Senna?

Senna was directed by Asif Kapadia.

More films by Asif Kapadia

Who is in the cast of Senna?

Senna stars Ayrton Senna.

How much did Senna make at the box office?

Senna grossed $10.2 million worldwide ($1.6 million domestic, $8.6 million international).

How is Senna rated?

Senna has 8.5/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79 on Metacritic and 81% on TMDB.

What awards did Senna win?

Senna won 2 awards from 3 nominations, including Best Documentary at the BAFTA 2012.

Does Senna have a post-credit scene?

No. Senna has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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