This is what “Le Mans 66 – Against Every Chance” (2019) tells us
When it opened in cinemas on November 14, 2019, the film “Le Mans 66”, a film with a star cast, was released in cinemas and deals with the duel “Ford v. Ferrari” (original title). The true story takes place in the motorsport circus of the 1960s. Henry Ford II (Tracy Letts), the strong man in the family business, was looking for a strategy to be more successful in Europe. After the failed takeover of Ferrari in May 1963, the aim was to beat the brand on the racetrack – this was the birth of the legendary Ford GT40. His mission was nothing less than victory in the endurance classic in Le Mans.
It was only later that Ford really realized how difficult the mission actually was and failed miserably in his first attempts – as “Le Mans 66” (2019) shows. In addition to the racing-crazy designer Carroll Shelby (in “Le Mans 66”: Matt Damon) and the sophisticated manager Lee Iacocca (Jon Bernthal), the American car manufacturer’s illustrious team also included the British racing driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale). He was destined to finally win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1966 they finally started with a completely renovated Ford GT40. The rest is history…
Our film review (review)
Hollywood always surprises. I was amazed when I came across the trailer for “Le Mans 66”. Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in a story that largely takes place between an American airfield and the French race track more than 50 years ago. Can this be something? Over the course of the 153-minute film, we get to know many more places that brilliantly reflect the feeling of the 1960s. For example, there’s Ken Miles’ barn workshop where he repairs MG sports cars. Or, as a counterpoint, the wood-paneled, ultra-conservative offices of the Ford executive suite.
Two worlds that have to join forces to beat Ferrari at Le Mans. Although “Le Mans 66” (“Ford v. Ferrari”) is shown in American cinemas under the name “Ford v Ferrari”, the title doesn’t really fit. Ferrari in distant Modena only plays the role of adversary at the beginning during the failed takeover by Ford and at the end on the race track. In between, it’s the PR and marketing moguls from Michigan who make the lives of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles hell while the two put their heart and soul into refining the GT40.
With “Le Mans 66” (“Ford v. Ferrari”), viewers experience a film that focuses on the internal and external conflicts of the protagonists and learns how racing is increasingly degenerating from a matter of the heart into a marketing tool. And suddenly one of the most famous photos in motorsport history – three Ford GT40s crossing the finish line at Le Mans at the same time – takes on a completely different meaning. “Le Mans 66” manages to lead you through the complex plot without ever having a “Huh?” moment. One of the best and most entertaining history lessons ever.
The only criticism: the names of other legendary racing drivers are regularly mentioned during the course, some of whom even get a few minutes of screen time – but are never introduced appropriately. In addition, the rest of the plot drags a little after the tension peaks. In addition to Ken Miles, Carroll Shelby and Lee Iacocca, who died in the year it was released, certainly deserve a worthy farewell scene. Of course, the racing action is not neglected during the course. “Le Mans 66” (“Ford v. Ferrari”) perfectly captures the atmosphere of the various tracks, so that you could think you were sitting at the track limits – or sometimes even in the racing car. You can literally smell the tire smoke and the scent of racing fuel.
Particularly successful: The final head-to-head race between Miles’ Ford GT40 and the Ferrari 330 P3 on the Mulsanne straight: How the Ford V8 and the Ferrari V12 climb the red area and, depending on the camera perspective, scowl into the cinema seat making people tremble or shriek shrilly through the hall is an absolute goosebumps moment.
The tragic story of Ken Miles
While Carroll Shelby will be known to most viewers thanks to the Cobra and his Ford Mustang tuning, “Le Mans 66 – Against Every Chance” (2019) also brought the unsung hero Ken Miles to the fore for the first time. The racing driver, born on November 1, 1918 near the industrial stronghold of Birmingham (Great Britain), completed an apprenticeship as a vehicle engineer, drove through Normandy in a tank during the Second World War and worked as a service manager for MG models in the early 1950s to California (USA). His racing career began there in self-developed MG racing cars. Thanks to his talents as a brilliant inventor and fearless racing pilot, his good friend Carroll Shelby signed him as chief test driver for his team Shelby American. In this role, he played a key role in developing the open Cobra, then the Cobra Daytona Coupé and finally the Ford GT40.
This role would end tragically for Ken Miles: on August 17, 1966, just two months after the Le Mans success, he died during test drives at the Riverside Raceway. The J-Car, derived from the Ford GT40, overturned at 320 km/h for reasons that are still unclear, broke into several pieces and then burned. Contrary to the film’s depiction, Miles was thrown from the car in the accident and died instantly. His death prompted Ford to make extensive revisions, especially when it came to the safety of the racing car. The resulting GT40 Mk IV took overall victory at both Sebring and Le Mans in 1967. Ken Miles left behind his wife Mollie and his 15-year-old son Peter, who would later become a racing mechanic himself.
Our conclusion
The topic is sharp, but presented in a very entertaining way. If you have the opportunity, you should definitely watch “Le Mans 66 – Against Every Chance”!
