Promotion for the film LE MANS ’66, directed by James Mangold (Logan) and starring Matt Damon (The Martian) and Christian Bale (Vice), kicked off with the 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours. Due for release by Twentieth Century Fox in November 2019, the film is based on the true story of how visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) joined forces with talented British driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) to build a Ford race car capable of challenging the supremacy of Enzo Ferrari’s racing team at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.
A sneak peek this weekend!
Part of LE MANS ’66 (known as Ford v Ferrari in the USA) was filmed in the city of Le Mans. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) helped the production team to render a perfect reconstitution, through visits, advice and archives. Worldwide exclusive screenings of a 10 minute clip from the movie took place at the Pathé Le Mans and CGR Saint Saturnin theaters on the eve of the great race, which is attended by 275,000 fans.
Racegoers were also able to see the trailer of LE MANS ’66, shown at regular intervals on the big screens in the Fan Zone and around the circuit.
This autumn, the theatrical release… and more!
In the run-up to the film’s release, fans will be treated to a special LE MANS ’66 exhibition at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum this autumn. Presented by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and Twentieth Century Fox, it will run for two months and feature archive images, documents and cars from that era, alongside photographs, video footage and items from the film set of LE MANS ’66.
Finally, after a short video message by James Mangold aimed at audiences and racers, it has been confirmed that the city of Le Mans, home of the world’s greatest endurance race, will be the venue for the film’s first official screening in France next October, news that will no doubt delight the city’s residents, whose passion for their race has never waned over the years. For them, the premiere will be a chance to relive the dramatic unfolding of LE MANS ’66, right where it all happened.
#LEMANS66
Public Relations :
Floriane Mathieu – floriane.mathieu@disney.com – 01 73 26 58 57
Olivier Margerie – olivier.margerie@disney.com – 01 73 26 58 82
About the film : Academy Award-winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in LE MANS ’66, based on the remarkable true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and the fearless British driver Ken Miles (Bale), who together battled corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.