For a sport I have little time for, I have enjoyed a surprising number of motor racing films, including the fun ‘Rush’, the gruelling ‘Le Mans’ and especially John Frankenheimer’s ‘Grand Prix’ from 1966. ‘Le Mans ’66’ can comfortably take its place in that list and may well top it. In the early 60s, faced with falling sales and in an attempt to appeal to a younger market, Ford Motors sets up a racing division. Their prime aim being to win the Le Mans 24 hour race that Ferrari have been dominating for some time. Their team was headed up by Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) with their star English driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale).
I was initially unsure that a film on this subject warranted a two and a half hour running time, but I was wrong. The time taken establishing why this meant so much to Ford, the corporate wrangling with Ferrari and Shelby’s struggle to get full control of his team whilst Ford executives tried to meddle are completely justified. Director James Mangold and writers Jez & John-Henry Butterworth and Jason Keller keep the story moving at a lick, even during the long periods that pass between races. All of those are thrillingly shot with tremendous sound design, and Phedon Papamichael’s cinematography is exemplary throughout.
Damon is good but it is Bale as the maverick but sympathetic Miles who dominates the film. It is refreshing to see how his family life is portrayed with his wife, Mollie, being supportive and accepting of the dangers of his job. Catriona Balfe is excellent in that role. I also enjoyed the reptilian Josh Lucas as a corporate suit and Tracy Letts does his usual great work as Henry Ford II.
Highly recommended to see on the biggest screen possible with the best sound system to get the most of the racing scenes.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10