One of the characters was one Leo Beebe, a Ford employee. He was portrayed in a less-than-favorable light. Based upon when these events in the film occurred (mid/late 1960s) I suspect he has probably passed away. That said, anyone know how his remaining family (if there is any) feels about how he is portrayed?
BTW, the film is excellent.
Well, apparently his friends aren’t too keen on the portrayal:
Philly friends of Leo Beebe say ‘Ford v Ferrari’ gets the Ford exec wrong
But then the article goes on to note that none of those interviewed had actually seen the movie yet, so…?
He’s portrayed as a total tool, with zero redeeming features, by Josh Lucas, basically playing the exact same character that he played in American Psycho even though that character was very much a tertiary role who didn’t have many lines. It was like Lucas pulled that guy from the back of his closet and dusted him off. “Smarmy” personified.
Hollywood pretty much always takes some liberties with how things really went down, and a good movie needs some tension. So it’s not terribly surprising that Beebe gets to be something of a villain in the movie. It’s generally accepted that in real life it was his idea to orchestrate the staged “photo finish” that hosed Miles out of the victory at the end.
They also took some creative license when they portrayed the team as leaving Miles at home in the first attempt at Le Mans, when in real life he did race in 1965 and had a DNF.
Still, very good flick, enjoyed it a lot.
I’d still rather have a Ferrari.
While it would be close for me, the P3 costing more than twice the GT40 would settle things for me, in Ford’s favor.
But barely, because that Ferrari is sex on four wheels.
In a perfect world, I’d get a Porsche 917. And I’d paint it Gulf colors.
In the real world where I had to drive it on regular roads, any street Ferrari will do. GT40s are awesome, but you can’t drive it in traffic - no rearward visibility, and it’s lower than a truck tire is tall.
Everybody has a Ferrari. A GT40 would be exceptional.
I agree. But I’d like a replica Porsche 906 with a 3.2 Carrera engine modified with six carburettors, and with a 6-speed transaxle, for street driving.
Nobody has a Feerrari.