Ford v Ferrari (released as
Le Mans '66 in some European countries) is a 2019 American sports drama film directed by James Mangold
[1]. The film follows American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles as they work together to build a revolutionary race car for Ford to challenge Ferrari's dominance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1966
[2] [5].
Overview#
The film centers on Ford's attempt to break Ferrari's long-standing winning streak at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans
[2] [5]. After experiencing a business deal failure with Enzo Ferrari, Henry Ford II directs his company to build a car that can defeat Ferrari on the racetrack
[2]. To achieve this goal, Ford hires Carroll Shelby, a former race car driver who won Le Mans in 1959, to design and develop the Ford GT40
[2] [5]. Shelby then recruits Ken Miles, a talented but volatile British race car driver, to help develop the car and drive for the team
[2].
Plot#
The movie portrays the challenges Shelby and Miles face as they develop the GT40, battling not only the laws of physics but also corporate interference, egos, and personal demons
[2] [4] [5]. Ford executives, concerned about the company's image, often clash with Shelby's vision and Miles's unconventional driving style
[2]. Despite these obstacles, Shelby and Miles persevere, pushing the GT40 to its limits and achieving remarkable results in various races
[2] [5].
The climax of the film is the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Ford and Ferrari face off in a high-stakes showdown
[2] [5]. The race is filled with drama, mechanical failures, and intense competition
[2]. In the end, Ford wins the race, but not without controversy, as the Ford executives make a last-minute decision that impacts Ken Miles's chance of personal glory
[2].
Cast#
The film features a star-studded cast, including: * Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby
[1] * Christian Bale as Ken Miles
[1] * Jon Bernthal as Lee Iacocca
[1] * Caitríona Balfe as Mollie Miles
[1] * Tracy Letts as Henry Ford II
[1] * Josh Lucas as Leo Beebe
[1] * Noah Jupe as Peter Miles
[1] * Remo Girone as Enzo Ferrari
[1]Production#
The movie is directed by James Mangold and written by Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and Jason Keller
[1]. The film is produced by Chernin Entertainment and Turnpike Films
[1].
Development#
The development of
Ford v Ferrari dates back several years. The project was initially conceived as an adaptation of A.J. Baime's book "Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans"
[1]. Several directors and actors were considered over the years, but it was James Mangold who eventually brought the project to fruition with Matt Damon and Christian Bale in the lead roles
[1].
Filming#
Principal photography began in the spring of 2018, with locations in California, Georgia, and France
[1]. The production team took great care to recreate the look and feel of the 1960s racing world, using vintage cars and authentic racing equipment
[1].
Release and Reception#
Ford v Ferrari premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 2019, and was released in the United States on November 15, 2019, by 20th Century Fox
[1]. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $225 million worldwide against a budget of $97.6 million
[1].
Critical Response#
The film received widespread acclaim, with critics praising the performances of Damon and Bale, as well as the direction, writing, and cinematography
[3].
Ford v Ferrari holds a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 328 reviews, with an average rating of 7.9/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "
Ford v Ferrari delivers all the রাইসিং thrills you'd expect -- and balances them with a terrific fact-based story brought to life by a pair of powerhouse performances"
[3]. On Metacritic, the film has a score of 81 out of 100, based on 46 critics, indicating "universal acclaim"
[2].
Accolades#
Ford v Ferrari received numerous awards and nominations, including four Academy Award nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards
[2]. It won two Oscars for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Editing
[2].
