Ford vs Ferrari

[LowRyter]

I don't know how it could be better than the 1976 Midway film, in which they flew actual WWII aircraft and CGI didn't exist...


Well, hopefully the 2019 version left out "Captain Garth".   LOL!

well let me tell ya.  The '76 film was black and white, it consisted largely of WWII stock film with some acting in between the combat scenes.  That's probably why the '76 movie was made in black & white.  Some of the Midway battle was filmed by John Ford in 1942, ironically he's a character in the new movie doing exactly that. 

For the new film, the CG essentially took that stock film and made it realistic to the eye and in color.  This was one of the first films I can remember where the CG appeared real without that video game "look" to it.  The plot is probably no better or worse that the '76 movie.  It's a Cliff Notes version of the prewar, Pearl Harbor, Doolittle, Coral Sea and Midway.   This new one also followed some historical Navy men of several ranks.  All of it visually more realistic than the earlier movie.  I thought it was quite good, I liked it better than the earlier movie, although it's still one of my favorites. 

I recently saw the "Good Liar", thought it was a good movie.  You can guess there is a twist but you won't guess what the twist is.

[Devildog]

I haven't seen the movie yet, but how does it measure up against 'Speed'? That's been my favorite Racing Movie.
The golden age of Formula One.

[Aaron D.]

You mean "Rush", about Lauda and Hunt? Much better. "Rush" strayed very far from the truth in the relationship, and the racing scenes to me lacked anything like the drama of the real deal (though the use of real period cars in some static grid shots were good).

Ford/Ferrari just worked better. Remarkably I think my wife liked it more than I did, though apparently the broad appeal includes both kinds of people!

[LowRyter]

You mean "Rush", about Lauda and Hunt? Much better. "Rush" strayed very far from the truth in the relationship, and the racing scenes to me lacked anything like the drama of the real deal (though the use of real period cars in some static grid shots were good).

Ford/Ferrari just worked better. Remarkably I think my wife liked it more than I did, though apparently the broad appeal includes both kinds of people!

"Rush" was a better movie imo.  Rush was certainly more historically accurate (but not totally).  Rush also had many of the actual race cars in the movie whereas as FvF had only replicas.  I'll go with Rush as the better one.

OTOH, my favorite "race" movie was "The World's Fastest Indian".   It's not historically accurate but it's a great movie and the true to life documentary is included with the DVD.

[pyoungbl]

Netflix has a similar movie...more of a documentary...as Ford vs Ferrari.  Check out 24 Hour War.

[Aaron D.]

As far as documentaries go-thee is one currently on Tubi that I watched many years ago. This version is called "The Quick and the Dead" and it is narrated by Stacy Keach. Difficult to watch.

[rocker59]

well let me tell ya.  The '76 film was black and white, 

John,

The 1976 Midway was a Technicolor movie with some black & white combat photography and some footage from previous war films.  But was filmed on the USS Lexington and used some CAF aircraft.   Not a highmark of Hollywood film making, but  the CGI of modern movies leaves me a little cold. 

[LowRyter]

John,

The 1976 Midway was a Technicolor movie with some black & white combat photography and some footage from previous war films.  But was filmed on the USS Lexington and used some CAF aircraft.   Not a highmark of Hollywood film making, but  the CGI of modern movies leaves me a little cold.

Yes, you're right.  I was thinking of In Harm's Way.  I am not a fan of CGI either and that's why I said that it was exceptional in this one.

[Aaron D.]

I've seen good CGI so it really bothers me when a movie makes it look like a video game. The trailer I saw for the Midway movie didn't encourage me.

I've read many accounts of the battle, so I don't suppose I need to see another.

[LowRyter]

well there's that

[SmithSwede]

I saw the movie and thought it was thoroughly entertaining.   I’d watch it again and have recommended it to others.

Yes, it has a fair bit of Hollywood hookum.   For example, I don’t think fading brakes glow visibly orange down a straightaway in a pouring rainstorm.   But hey, it’s Hollywood.

Serious question.   Was Enzo Ferrari really such a dickazoid as depicted in the movie?

[Aaron D.]

I questioned the glowing because I wasn't sure they did glow there, but the fading part in period was due to overheating so maybe they just took a bit of liberty to show that they were hot.

[tommy2cyl]

I remember reading that Enzo remained aloof and disconnected from his drivers.  He did not want to get emotionally attached because he realized there was a strong probability that they could lose their life racing one of his cars.  It was the era of many fatalities in motor sports.

Regarding the movie.  I preferred Rush and LeMans over Ford v Ferrari.  The beginning of LeMans goes for something like 10 minutes before the first word of dialogue is spoken.  Risky in the world of movie making, but for me was perfect.  The early morning scenes of fans waking up, crawling from their tents,  interlaced with McQueen driving the 911 to the track really set the tone.  At the start of the race, when he is strapped in and all the activity fades away to just his heartbeat and total focus before the flag drops, and then it is go time.  Perfect.  Without getting specific because I don't want to spoil any content for people yet to see the movie,  I thought the acting in F v F was melodramatic, completely over the top, and just bad.  I won't go into an endless list of technical details that were just laughable because I realize it is Hollywood, and the point is to entertain.  I get it, it is not a documentary.  Enzo Ferrari never attended the LeMans race. Take it from there.

[LowRyter]

Agree that Rush was a better movie.  LeMans, not so much- no real plot or story.

Those GT40 did have bright red glowing rotors.  I remember a few spectacular photos from the time. 

[dustybarn]

I saw the movie and thought it was thoroughly entertaining.   I’d watch it again and have recommended it to others.

Yes, it has a fair bit of Hollywood hookum.   For example, I don’t think fading brakes glow visibly orange down a straightaway in a pouring rainstorm.   But hey, it’s Hollywood.

Serious question.   Was Enzo Ferrari really such a dickazoid as depicted in the movie?

The glowing brakes were accurate. There are a number of period photographs showing the Fords' brake rotors glowing just like they are depicted in the film.

Is the movie 100% historically accurate? No. But it is a great racing movie, in the same vein as "The World's Fastest Indian", in that it nails the period racing ethos, dead on.

[Mr Revhead]

Really enjoyed it.  Brings back memories of my youth.  Of course it's still a tear jerker but it's funny and true to the story.  No CG crap, real driving.  Damon gets the voice pretty close even though he doesn't look a lot like Carrol but seems to get "him".  Bales is just great.

The only nit is that some of the other cars are perhaps not quite right regarding the right season or year.

See it you're a fan.

I think we saw different movies. Whilst I enjoyed it from a Hollywood entertainment point of view, the driving etc was right up there with fast and furious movies. The racing shots we so obviously shot at slow speeds. And I'm not talking half racing, a lot were shot at street speeds! And what the hell was with the big Ford vs Ferrari drag race where they each kept just pushing a bit more on the accelerator until the Ferrari blew. Or the changing down to slow before lifting and braking etc. I could go on....
The movie was ok, the driving scenes pretty average

[giusto]

I think I have given up on Hollywood creating historically accurate movies and have settled with pure entertainment....th at said, we were thoroughly entertained and enjoyed the movie.  The best part being watching the movie with my son, hearing his interest grow about the story....and then afterwards walking to Hagerty's main office a few blocks from the theater to see Mckeel Hagerty's GT40 (attached).

Pretty darn great day!!

[Cam3512]

Saw it today, FANTASTIC movie.  Gotta love it for what it is.  As far as the brakes glowing in a rainstorm at 220 mph, how about welding under water? Gimme a BRAKE people!

[Trialsman]

I just got back from taking my son to see it.  We both loved it.  Damon and Bale are really good acting together.

[oldbike54]

 Did Bale scream at any of the movie crew ? 

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

?

[giusto]

Saw it today, FANTASTIC movie.  Gotta love it for what it is.  As far as the brakes glowing in a rainstorm at 220 mph, how about welding under water? Gimme a BRAKE people!

Yah the brake bit was a bit much though there seems to some truth to it.....but welding underwater...of course you can weld underwater, hyperbaric welding has been around since the 30's...my uncle did some for the USN...it  does have risk.

[oldbike54]

?

 It was Bale who spent several minutes screaming at Brian Catterson (Cycle World , Motortcyclist) who was providing a motorcycle for one of the Batman movies . He's lucky Catterson didn't open a can of...on him 

 Dusty

 

[wirespokes]

Just saw the DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yeah, it might not be completely accurate and true, but hey, it was fun. And the Bonus features was also good.

What's the story on Ken Miles' death? What happened?

Did a little searching and this is what I found:

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a29810024/ford-v-ferrari-ken-miles-crash-death-true-story/

[Canuck750]

Saw it this weekend, loved it!  I had a Peterson book in the 70's on FORD and it had an article on the GT40 that really caught my attention. I grew up fascinated with Shelby and my first car was a 1965 Mustang 2+2 that was painted to look like a GT350 with a Shelby hood and the gauge cluster hump added to the center of the dash, it was a head turner!

[LowRyter]

Just saw the DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yeah, it might not be completely accurate and true, but hey, it was fun. And the Bonus features was also good.

What's the story on Ken Miles' death? What happened?

Did a little searching and this is what I found:

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a29810024/ford-v-ferrari-ken-miles-crash-death-true-story/

Not to be morbid or to make too much of this.  There were rumors that Miles, like the rumors of Jim Morrison or even Elvis, that his death was faked.  I assume the truth was a testing accident perhaps based due to mechanical failure.  Some folks are such legends that mystery lives on even in death. 

I suppose Miles in good company with Morrison and perhaps Elvis?

[oldbike54]

Not to be morbid or to make too much of this.  There were rumors that Miles, like the rumors of Jim Morrison or even Elvis, that his death was faked.  I assume the truth was a testing accident perhaps based due to mechanical failure.  Some folks are such legends that mystery lives on even in death. 

I suppose Miles in good company with Morrison and perhaps Elvis?

 Yep , his 102 year old self is racing shifter karts in Europe .

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

Yep , his 102 year old self is racing shifter karts in Europe .

 Dusty

And what about Morrison and Elvis? 

[Demar]

And what about Morrison and Elvis?

They solved the Elvis question in the movie Men in Black

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSZe-DM_o6I

[jrt]

People are bringing up Le Mans and Rush....I haven't seen anyone mention Grand Prix?  I thought that was a slow, but pretty decent movie.  The videography was cutting edge.

I liked FvF right up to then end, but Shelby's inability to talk to the widow struck me as cowardly.  I suspect it was just the story, but I expected more.  The guys were friends.