The highly anticipated film “Ferrari” centers around the iconic Enzo Ferrari and his journey in establishing his eponymous car company. Unlike other films that may shy away from showcasing the brutal reality of racing during that era, “Ferrari” fearlessly embraces the violence and carnage that accompanied the sport at the time.
The movie primarily focuses on a pivotal three-month period in 1957 that significantly impacted Ferrari’s personal life and career. During this time, Ferrari had tragically lost his son Dino to illness. His wife, Laure, soon discovered his affair with Lina Lardi, adding further turmoil to his already troubled life. Spanning from deeply personal dilemmas to struggles related to his company, the film delves into the challenges faced by Ferrari on multiple fronts.
At this point, Ferrari’s company was also on the brink of failure, and it seemed that the only way to save it was for his factory race team to achieve success at the 1957 Mille Miglia. This legendary race, named for its 1,000-mile route, was notorious for its dangerous conditions as it took place on public roads without the safety precautions of modern racing. The tension and stakes were incredibly high, as the outcome of this race would determine the fate of Ferrari’s company.
However, tragedy struck during the 1957 race when Ferrari driver Alfonso de Portago crashed in the Italian village of Guidizzolo. The crash resulted in the devastating loss of de Portago’s life and claimed the lives of ten spectators, including five children. This tragic incident forced a significant change in the format of the race, transforming it into a rally-style event with closed stages and controlled speeds for subsequent editions.
In preparation for filming, director Michael Mann and cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt meticulously studied footage of the fatal crash during the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans. The catastrophic event, which involved Pierre Levegh’s Mercedes-Benz launching into the grandstands, resulted in the deaths of Levegh and an estimated 80 spectators, making it the deadliest racing incident in history. Mann and his team also traveled to Guidizzolo, where they interviewed a witness to the 1957 crash, further immersing themselves in the tragic events that unfolded during that time.
The inspiration for the film “Ferrari” originated from a more positive encounter. Mann shared in an interview that his desire to create a movie based on Enzo Ferrari’s story stemmed from witnessing a 275 GTB cruising through a London street during his time as a film student in 1967. This chance encounter left a lasting impression on Mann and ignited his artistic vision to bring Ferrari’s remarkable journey to the big screen.
The journey to the completion of “Ferrari” has been a long and arduous one. Mann began working on the film in 1993 after coming across a script based on the biography of Enzo Ferrari written by the late Car and Driver editor Brock Yates. However, the project encountered numerous obstacles and remained in production limbo for decades. It finally gained traction in 2014, coming close to receiving approval with Christian Bale cast in the role of Ferrari. Bale eventually dropped out, eventually starring in “Ford v. Ferrari” in 2019 as Ken Miles. Later, in 2020, Hugh Jackman entered talks to portray Ferrari, and now, the film is on the verge of being released, much to the anticipation of fans.
“Ferrari” promises to be a gripping and impactful film that not only delves into the fascinating life of Enzo Ferrari but also confronts the harsh realities and dangers of racing during that era. With its stellar cast, led by Adam Driver as the titular character, and the meticulous research and attention to detail put into recreating historical events, the film aims to captivate audiences and pay homage to the iconic legacy of Ferrari and the sport of racing.
