Movie Review - "Ford vs. Ferrari"

The rivalries that come to mind when one reminisces about sports in the 1960's would probably include the Packers and Cowboys in the NFL and the Lakers and Celtics in the NBA. But one rivalry that flew under the radar for many, including me, was that between Ford and Ferrari in the world of auto racing, specifically the world renown 24 Hours of Le Mans. Still the world's oldest active sports car race in endurance racing, the event has been held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans, France. Although it's lost some of it's luster in recent years, it was THE race back in the mid 20th century. And for its first 40 years, an American car manufacturer had never won it.

Wow, what a great premise for a movie!  Hollywood agreed, and so the idea for "Ford vs. Ferrari" was born.

In 1964, after Ferrari won it's fifth straight 24 Hour of Le Mans race, Henry Ford II engaged in lengthy negotiations with Enzo Ferrari to buy the cash strapped Italian car maker, with a a desire to expand Ford's presence in motor sports, and at Le Mans in particular. However, negotiations collapsed due to disputes over control of Ferrari's racing division. As a result, Ferrari backed out and soon after agreed to a minor partnership with Fiat. Fiat would later buy 50% of Ferrari in 1969.

The collapse of the deal spurred Ford to develop their GT40 project, with the intent to end Ferrari's dominance at Le Mans. The movie made it appear that Ford II carried a real grudge against Enzo Ferrari as a result of his decision to go with Fiat. A grudge that we were reminded of throughout the film. In fact, shortly after Ferrari's 11th hour switch to Fiat, Ford II, according to the movie, handed his executives, including a pre-Chrysler Lee Iacocca, a blank check to make that happen. And that's where the story of "Ford vs. Ferrari" really begins.

Matt Damon (Shelby) and
Christian Bale (Miles)

Part of Ford's strategy was to recruit the well known American car builder and former racing champion Carroll Shelby to lead the effort. Shelby actually co-drove the British Ashton-Martin car that won the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Shelby retired from racing after that year because of a heart condition. After joining Ford racing, a heated and deceptive relationship between Shelby and Ford ensued....at least according to the movie. One of Shelby's first objectives was to recruit British driver Ken Miles, who actually became the chief test driver of Shelby-American in 1963. Although not mentioned in the movie, Miles helped Shelby develop the Shelby Cobra and is also credited with helping develop the Mustang GT350.

Miles would be the target of a couple of Ford curve balls, as Ford II's executives didn't think much of Mile's gruff, shoot-off-the-hip personality, and banned him from driving in the 1965 Le Mans because of feared negative public perception towards the company. However, after a disappointing 1965 La Mans race, Ford II backed down. A decision he wouldn't regret. After helping redesign the GT40, Miles was given the go ahead to participate in the 1966 race, one in which Ford would actually have three cars entered in.

Sharing the drive with Denny Hulme in the #1 Ford car, Mile's GT40 was in the lead at the beginning of the final lap following a nail biting, back-and-forth battle with Ferrari's #1 car that resulted in the latter blowing a gasket. Not sure that actually happened, but it was pretty exciting to watch.

With the three Ford cars now claiming the first three positions in the race, Ford executive Leo Beebe, portrayed as a real dufus in the film, came up with the bright idea of having a publicity photo taken of the three Ford cars crossing the finish line together. For this to happen, Beebe had to instruct Shelby to order Miles to slow down so that the other two cars could catch up, which he did, and Miles would only agree to do because he was told he'd still be declared the winner. Accordingly, the next Ford car, driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, and the third place Ford car caught up to Miles, and the three cruised across the finish line together. The French race officials, after initially agreeing to Ford's dead-heat "photo-finish", changed their minds due to a little known technicality. Since the McLaren/Amon #2 car had started some 20 yards behind the Miles/Hulme #1 car, it had traveled a farther distance, and because of that were declared the winners. Something that obviously didn't sit well with Miles, although in my research, he was much more upset about it than the movie portrayed. The movie didn't end there, but that's where my review will stop so not to give too much more away.

Since I wasn't aware of this story, much of what I saw in the movie was new to me. After watching the movie, I was anxious to do some research to see how much of the story was true, as some of what happened in it was a little hard to believe, and how much exaggerated. Something not uncommon for movie makers these days to do. But to my surprise, a high percentage of the movie content appears to be pretty accurate. Even the portrayals of most of the characters.

Henry Ford II joy ride:  did this really happen?

Overall, I really enjoyed the movie, and have very little negative to say about it. Although I don't know for sure, I have a feeling the Ford obsession to unseat Ferrari might have been exaggerated a little. As well as the portrayal of Ford II himself, who comes off as a cranky, unpleasant stiff. But he may have been that way, if quotes from the real Iacocca are true. Right before the race started, Miles and the Ferrari #1 driver were shown having a stare down. And of course, on more than one occasion during the race they have a heated confrontation. These and scenes of Shelby giving Ford II a joy ride and a Shelby/Miles wrestling match may have happened, but they had the feeling of Hollywood added movie drama. Minor stuff though. On to the positive.

The writing was very good and held my attention for the entire 2+ hours, which isn’t easy to do! The acting was also superb, as both Matt Damon (Shelby) and Christian Bale (Miles) were great in their leading roles. I had read that Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt were the movie producer's first choices, but I can't imagine them doing as good a job, let alone better, than Damon and Bale. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a Best Supporting Actor nomination in Bale's future. Caitriona Balfe as Ken Mile's wife Mollie was also exceptionally good, while Tracy Letts and Josh Lucas as Ford II and Beebe did well playing easy to dislike slime-balls.

So overall, I would definitely recommend "Ford vs. Ferrari", particularly if you are a racing fan. But this was made in a way where you really don't have to be one.

Note:  If you're interested in seeing who all of the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning cars are, check out this site.