In the formative years of automotive racing, the dominance of Italy’s most prolific machines was a constant point of contention for North American teams. Battered and deterred by consistent defeat at the hands of their European counterparts, Ford Motor Company made preparations to employ the now-legendary vehicle designer, Carroll Shelby, to bring the west its first overall win at Le Mans — the greatest stage on earth.
In the cinematic recreation of 1966’s infamous battle between Ford and Ferrari, American vehicle designer Carroll Shelby (played by Matt Damon) and British-born driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale), persevere in the face of corporate interference, personal vendettas, and the laws of physics to emerge victorious on France’s illustrious circuit. The film’s story follows the ambitious team as they conceptualize, produce, and race the revolutionary Ford GT40, eventually securing America’s first overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 before continuing its on-track dominance until 1969.
