Ford V Ferrari: Adrenaline, Framed

The official US poster - The movie was also released under the name "Le Mans 66" in other countries

Based on true events. Set in the 1960s. A heated rivalry between automobile giants. Christian Bale & Matt Damon. RACING. SPEED. ALL IN ONE MOVIE. WOW.

I didn’t catch Ford V Ferrari in theatres, and honestly, I still regret it. Even after six years, I keep thinking how insane it must’ve felt to hear those engines in surround sound, to feel the intensity take over the massive screen. And the thing is... no matter how many times I re-watch it, it still gets me. I find myself holding my breath like I’m right there on the track with them. Every single time.

Film Details

Title: Ford V Ferrari (2019) 

Director: James Mangold

Writer: Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, Jason Keller

Starring: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal

Genre: Action / Biography / Drama

Runtime: 2h 32m

Rating: PG-13

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24hrs of turning left

Before we dive into the world of Ford v Ferrari, let’s talk a bit about the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Known as one of the toughest endurance races in the world, it’s been held in France since 1923. Over a harsh 13.626 km circuit, cars and drivers are pushed to the absolute limit, racing for 24 straight hours. They face everything from night driving to unpredictable weather, testing not just the durability of the cars, but the skill and stamina of the drivers themselves. It's where the best go head-to-head, and only those who can endure make it to the finish line.

Okay. Back to the movie!

Full Throttle

Based on surprising true events, the film starts in a time when Ford, the automotive giant we know today, was hitting a slump. While the youth were amazed by fast, stylish cars like Ferrari, Ford was kind of... well, "uncool." Safe, practical, but far from exciting.

So, to dethrone the king of the hill, Ford decided to design a race car that wouldn’t just compete at Le Mans, but beat Ferrari at their own game.

At the heart of the story are two passionate visionaries: the charming, former Le Mans winner Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and the fiery, stubborn Brit, Ken Miles (Christian Bale), a genius when it comes to both driving and engineering. With a burning passion for perfection, the duo gets to work, building a race car that could crush Ferrari and bring Ford to its glory.

The Passenger Seat

Beyond the compelling story, the cinematography, camera work, and spectacular editing and sound in Ford v Ferrari truly elevate the entire viewing experience. The race scenes, in particular, are captured in a way that makes you feel like you're right there in the driver’s seat, or, at least, the passenger seat. We’re also lucky enough to “experience” the races in different environments: whether it’s the intense heat of the day, the darkness of night, or even the unpredictable, harsh weather conditions. Each shift in setting makes you feel the speed. The camera follows every twist and turn with such precision, that you can almost feel the wind rushing past you and the roar of the engine vibrating through your chest. 

What also makes this movie special, is how the camera doesn’t just spot the racing parts, it also captures the characters feelings and well-orchestrated dynamics, it makes the movie not just another movie about cars, but also a human experience.

Final Lap

Even if you don’t care about racing, even if you can’t tell a piston from a spark plug, you’ll still feel every second of this ride.

With pulse-pounding races, charming performances, and just the right amount of emotional grit, Ford v Ferrari is both thrilling and heartfelt. The direction is so sharp, you never lose track of the story. It flows effortlessly, keeping you hooked from the first engine rev to the last lap.

If there’s one thing I wish the film had more of, it’s Ferrari’s side of the story. Given the title, I expected more screen time for “The Red Devil”. At times, it does feel like Ford v Ford. But even with that minor gripe, the film still delivers one hell of a ride

So yeah, I didn’t catch it in theatres. But every time I rewatch it, it reminds me why I fell in love with movies in the first place.