Released in November 2019, Le Mans 66(Ford v Ferrari in the original version) is a biopic directed by James Mangold, telling the story of one of the greatest rivalries in automotive history. Carried by intense performances from Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby, and Christian Bale as Ken Miles, the film follows the Ford team's epic battle with Ferrari to win the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1966. Through this gripping drama, Mangold delivers a story of perseverance, innovation and passion.
Le Mans 66 is broadcast on France 3 on February 10, 2025 at 9:05 pm and is also available on Prime Video and Disney+.
Synopsis: Based on a true story, the film follows a team of eccentric American engineers led by the visionary Carroll Shelby and his British driver Ken Miles, who are sent by Henry Ford II to build from scratch a new automobile to dethrone the Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans competition.
Based on true events, Le Mans 66 follows Carroll Shelby(Matt Damon), a former racing driver turned engineer, and Ken Miles(Christian Bale), a talented but eccentric British racing driver. Together, they are commissioned by Henry Ford II to design a car capable of beating Ferrari in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's most prestigious motor race.
Faced with the arrogance ofEnzo Ferrari, who dominates the competition, Ford is determined to take revenge and assert its superiority in the automotive industry. But the task is not an easy one: the duo must build a revolutionary car, capable of withstanding such a demanding race, while confronting Ford's internal bureaucracy and technical challenges. Despite the obstacles, Shelby and Miles form a close-knit team, where friendship and a passion for speed guide them in their quest to create the legendary Ford GT40. The film concludes with a thrilling race at Le Mans in 1966, where tenacity and innovation collide with prestige and tradition.
Le Mans 66 will appeal to racing enthusiasts and fans of biopics and historical dramas alike. The film doesn't just tell the story of a simple sporting competition, it highlights the complex personalities of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles, and the tensions between daring engineers and corporate ambitions. The film's strength lies in the relationship between Shelby and Miles, played with accuracy and intensity by Damon and Bale, but also in the staging of the races, where every bend and acceleration is filmed with remarkable precision and intensity.
Fans of films like Rush or Seul contre tous will appreciate this story of rivalry, passion for innovation, and determination to triumph against formidable opponents, whether on the track or in the office. Le Mans 66 manages to capture the essence of the race, while exploring the complex human relationships behind the legend.
Le Mans 66 is an epic tale of passion, drama and speed. With stellar performances from Matt Damon and Christian Bale, this film tells the intense true story of the rivalry between Ford and Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. A must-see for fans of motor racing and gripping historical tales.
Our review of Le Mans 66 (2019):
Le Mans 66 is a car-racing film which, unlike other feature-length films in the genre, is based on an exciting story carried by the highly charismatic actors Matt Damon and Christian Bale. In addition to the battle between automotive leaders Ford and Ferrari to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the film follows the struggles of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles with Ford to create the car of their dreams.
Ken Miles is an extraordinary driver, but unfortunately he has a very bad temper that will earn him the wrath of the Ford Company management.
Director James Mangold made it very clear in the press conference we attended (see video) that he wanted to make an action film aimed above all at adults, with a story that would captivate them from start to finish, and he clearly succeeded.
The car here is an accessory that will obviously delight purists, but you don't have to know anything about racing cars, or even like them, to get hooked on the story.
In short, Le Mans 66 is a fascinating film, with actors who sublimate the story against a backdrop of anthological motor racing.
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