Sometimes when we watch classics we hear sentences like “Films like that just don’t get made anymore.” This often refers to films that leave the audience with a pleasant feeling Feeling of triumph when an underdog overcomes all obstacles and achieves victory. Bonus points if the film is based on true events.
Sports films are particularly suitable for this, as they captivate everyone with their strong characters and inspiring stories. The good classics manage to delight even those who don’t like sports. Or in the case of Le Mans 66 – Against every chance, thanks fantastic action, even those who don’t like racing. Because sometimes such films are still made today – and can even be streamed on Netflix.
In Le Mans 66, Christian Bale takes on the ultimate opponent as a racing driver
Since we once again have to suffer through a title change in German, Le Mans 66 – the central race of the film – simply doesn’t have quite as much oomph as the original: Ford v Ferrari. Because exactly this duel is the core of our story: Together with the long-established US car manufacturer Ford, Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) wants to challenge and defeat the absolute racing giant: Ferrari.
It’s an impossibility, they say in the industry. Nobody beats Ferrari. Although there were constant developments and innovations in motorsport in the 1960s. But Ferrari? Nobody beats Ferrari. But Shelby doesn’t want to believe that. So he quickly teams up with the gruff but extremely talented British racing driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) to do it Winning car to develop and build.
20th Century Fox/Disney
Matt Damon and Christian Bale at Le Mans 66
The two of them compete against a number of opponents: physics, the CEOs at Ford, the inner demons and of course the Goliath Ferrari. The 24-hour race at Le Mans will ultimately decide whether Shelby and Miles fail catastrophically – or they do Changing the history of motorsport forever.
Le Mans 66 on Netflix delivers brilliant action and a finale that leaves absolutely no one indifferent
How was it? A good (racing) sports film can also win over people who don’t like racing sports? But yes. Le Mans 66 can do that with ease. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter in which discipline the reigning winner and newcomer duel. Because we just need a single character that we can put our hearts on and that we can root for. And maybe a few more overwhelming images in addition.
Appearance: Christian Bale as Ken Miles. Bale plays sincerely, unvarnished and with as much passion as few in Hollywood can. He lives motorsport and really fights through all adversities to achieve it impossible dream to make it come true. Director James Mangold impressively captures what it must feel like to sit in a racing car.
20th Century Fox/Disney
Christian Bale in a rush of speed at Le Mans 66
Camera, acting and a pulsatingly intense soundtrack give us an incomparable feeling of pressure, acceleration and speed. And it all culminates in a final race in which fingernails dig into sofa cushions and (even involuntarily) your breath stops. Everything is so well coordinated. Le Mans 66 has what it takes to be a modern classic in every respect.
If you want to indulge in this adrenaline rush, you can now do so with a streaming subscription on Netflix.