Ford v Ferrari (2019)
American car designer Carroll Shelby and the volatile British driver Ken Miles are enlisted by Henry Ford II to engineer a revolutionary race machine, the GT40. Their mission: dethrone Enzo Ferrari at the world’s most grueling endurance event, the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. They battle corporate bureaucracy and push physics to its limits for speed and glory.
Length: 2h32m
Genre: Action, Biography, Drama
This Title is: A high-stakes historical sports rivalry
Cast
Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Tracy Letts, Caitriona Balfe
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: PG-13 – Some language and peril
FAQ
- Is Ford v Ferrari (2019) Based on a True Story?: Yes, it recounts the true story of the Ford Motor Company’s successful effort to build a car to defeat Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Where was Ford v Ferrari (2019) filmed?: California, Georgia, and Le Mans race sets replicated at the Agua Dulce Airpark.
- Who Wrote the Soundtrack?: Marco Beltrami
Filmmaker Profile
Director James Mangold brings a masterful touch to this production, blending high-octane racing action with intimate character drama. Known for his work on Logan and 3:10 to Yuma, his style prioritizes emotional authenticity and grounded performances, capturing the intense pressure both on and off the track.
Why It’s Worth Watching
The movie is a spectacularly mounted period piece that delivers some of the most visceral and realistic racing sequences ever put to screen. Its technical precision, tight direction, and booming sound design immerse the viewer instantly into the heat, risk, and glorious sound of 1960s motorsport. It is an exhilarating spectacle.
Main Character Deep Dive
Christian Bale’s portrayal of Ken Miles is exceptional, capturing the driver’s volatile genius and deep-seated desire for pure speed, free from corporate restraints. His journey is driven by the internal conflict between his family duties and his passion for racing. The performance makes Miles a deeply sympathetic and unforgettable central figure, anchoring the excitement with genuine heart.
Unforgettable Quote
“You can’t win a race by committee.”
Trivia
- The production was previously titled Go Like Hell and at one point was going to star actors Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.
- Christian Bale lost approximately 70 pounds to play Ken Miles, having previously gained weight for his role as Dick Cheney in Vice.
- Ken Miles’ son, Peter Miles, served as a consultant on the set to help ensure the accuracy of his father’s portrayal.
Trailer
Stream Ford v Ferrari (2019) on:
Our Review
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I was instantly hooked by the sheer horsepower and emotional grit of this incredible story. The performances delivered by the two leads are phenomenal; I felt completely invested in their unique friendship and their shared obsession with pushing limits against a resistant establishment. The way director James Mangold captured the terrifying beauty of 1960s racing is breathtaking. Every scene on the track is a technical masterclass, bringing the roar of the engines and the high speeds right into the room. It’s a beautifully crafted period piece that succeeds in making the world of endurance racing intensely human and exciting. I especially enjoyed the focus on the personal sacrifices made by the individuals striving for greatness. The exciting climax at Le Mans is perfectly executed, cementing the movie as an absolute triumph of craft and heart.
Who Should Watch This?
Stream it if you love true stories of grit, speed, and unlikely friendships battling overwhelming corporate odds, packaged in a visually stunning and exhilarating period action-drama.
