My benchmark for auto racing movies is Grand Prix from 1966. Sure, it had a sappy love story (stories) tacked on but the racing sequences are spectacular because they were actual race cars, filmed at speed, on the real tracks and the filmed cars were driven by the actors in a lot of the scenes. I last watched it five or more years ago and felt like the racing scenes really held up. It was for me, the golden age of Formula 1.
I am definitely going to watch Ford vs. Ferrari but probably not until it comes to streaming.
Between that movie and Le Mans, you’ve got me covered. Maybe add Ron Howard’s Rush, which also notably used a lot of the actual period cars in filming.
I want to go back and watch *Grand Prix *again now, just because it’s been a while and because Wikipedia reminds me of the overflowing wealth of driving talent that appears on screen…
Just look at this one scene. Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, James Garner, Dan Gurney, Bruce McLaren, Antonio Sabato, Jo Siffert!
I’ve never seen Rush, I need to check it out sometime.
Another fun fact about Grand Prix, all the actors that played drivers went to a real race car driving school and James Garner was very, very good at it. Brian Bedford was not very good and that is why his face is obscured by goggles and a balaclava in his “driving” scenes. It’s actually a stunt driver.
Fun fact about Ford v Ferrari: Alex Gurney plays Dan.
I’m fully aware of the story and I’m still very excited to see this on opening night. I got my tickets a few weeks ago so we could get our preferred seats in our favorite theater. Flix Brewhouse… great food and beer brewed on site.
Yep, still have a copy of that. Great racing movie. I might drag my wife out to the theater for this one. She’s enough of a gearhead that she’d know what’s going on.
You do. I’m more of a racing fan than a movie buff, but I’d say it succeeds as a movie in its own right (even if you know the ending). Very good performances by the lead actors. For a car nut, it’s great.
Surprised I’m the first to mention Senna, which also deserves a place in the Pantheon of great racing movies. Bit different from the others in that it’s much more of a true documentary, largely using period footage rather than recreating it. But it’s none the worse for that, of course.
Is it just me or does Rindt look about 12?
Agree with all of this and I’d also recommend (again…I’ve said it before) the BBC documentary “Grand Prix - the killer years” I don’t think anyone’s F1 education is complete without it, but it is a tough, tough watch. Not overly gruesome, but brutally honest.
And considering the last link that I posted it is a sobering thought to realise that out of the 5 drivers in that scene, 4 died before their time. 3 died whilst racing and Graham Hill in a plane crash.
That *is *a fun fact!
I heard an interview with Matt Damon about the movie on NPR today. He talked a little about the insurance companies influence on filming. When Fankenheimer was filming Grand Prix in '66, the actors personal auto policy was probably considered enough coverage. 
I saw it last night… great movie! If you are a car person or into racing history at all you will love it.
A quick heads up. My wife knew that I knew the story and asked me not to spoil it for her… until the movie was in progress.
She wanted to know if Ken died and actually started to leave because I wouldn’t tell her and was going to be very upset if he did. I thought it would just go through the race so I eventually assured her that he didn’t… but the movie continued until when he died during testing
Just got back from it.
Of course they altered some things. Not as many as I expected, so that’s something.*
Question: can no one make a race movie anymore without innumerable closeup shots of gear shifts? At least (unlike the Daytone 500 scenes in Days of Thunder) Le mans drivers actually do shift a lot.
For a good companion piece, read Go Like Hell by A. J. Baime.
*Miles didn’t crash the Ferrari, its gearbox went out. Miles didn’t burn to death (“sometime you don’t get out of the car”) but was thrown clear with so much force the seat belts ripped out. The finish was more spread out, and the officials were both in on the tie and realized McLaren would win even before the finish.
Saw it and really enjoyed it. I don’t know anything about the world of cars/racing so I have one question (not really a spoiler): what was the significance of the photographer? Who did he show those pictures to and why?
He showed them to the head of Fiat, who was vying to buy Ferrari. Ford was just there to make Fiat up their bid - it’s implied Ferrari never intended to sell to Ford.
incidentally, Fiat still owns 90% of Ferrari. The rest is by Enzo’s (illegitimate*) son.
*those wacky, romantic, passionate Italians!
Do you mean Ford was in on it? If that’s true, I totally missed it. I thought the Ford guys were sincere about the deal.
Does the movie mention it was mostly BritFord, not USA Ford?
Although nothing says 'Murican like a V-8.