Le Mans ‘66 - The Modern Cad Guide To Film

First of all, let’s acknowledge fast cars are simply fucking awesome - the romantic combination of man and machine is a well -worn cliché, but apt here.

Much like Rush, the examination of men taking machinery to the limit in order to be the best in Le Mans ‘66 is a study in compulsion - the characters of the meticulous Lauda vs the flamboyant Hunt are given counterpoints in the combination of the uncompromising candour of Miles and the good ol’ boy charm of Shelby.

These films should be seen side by side for the ultimate petrolhead double bill.

In terms of acting, Bale is terrific as Ken Miles’ straight-taking Brummie and Matt Damon is utterly charismatic as Carroll Shelby.

Both films start as caper movies, with quick cuts and a contemporary whimsical soundtracks. Le Mans ‘66 also abounds with stereotypes: the bullish, brash Americans, the stylish and passionate Italians and the straight-talking working-class Brits - America is portrayed as the industrial saviour of the World whereas Italy is shown as the possibly bygone, but still sublime and languid heart.

But they are also war movies. Rush delivers a character study, examining 2 champions with starkly contrasting strategies warring against each other. Le Mans ‘66 sets the experiences of 2 soldiers, Sergeant Shelby and Corporal Miles against the backdrop of the wider war between Ferrari and Ford, Enzo and Henry II (the equivocally-nicknamed ‘Deuce’) - the two ostensibly everyday men battling at the front of the track, battling against daily financial challenges, but also fighting a rear-guard action against the egotistical and mercenary executives in the form of smug Beebe (the ever bastardly Josh Lucas) and to a lesser extent, desperate Iaccoca (an ever-watchable Jon Bernthal).

Like all war movies there are casualties on all sides, some trivial, some serious and too many...tragic. And maybe that is the legacy of these movies: the lesson that to be the best, to be legendary, you risk everything...

Glorious? Maybe.

Noble? I believe so.

Compelling? Absolutely without doubt.