The 24 Hour War

I was quite pleased with the Ford vs. Ferrari recent release, though knowing it was putting a much more complex story in a Hollywood mass-market "Box". This movie is quite different, and to someone who knows a bit about the cars, people and events surrounding racing in the 64-67 timeframe, just great. All the key people (who are still with us) are either narrating or seen in the footage, putting a real personal stamp on the production. I'll keep it short and simple, this movie puts you in the time, with context, with fantastic historical film and with soul. One of the most difficult realities of the time was the unbelievable amount of danger that came racing these cars, and they have the accidents and stories to show it. Several of the drivers they interview lived through crashes where they probably should have died, and there is quite a bit of fire damage and skin grafts still noticeable at their present age. I met several of these guys, so the film brings back those experiences. Not to be missed!

I came across this documentary on Kanopy via my public library. I watched it a week after I watched the 2019 movie "Ford v Ferrari" which is a dramatization of events in the 1950s and 1960s. It focuses most on the people involved in getting Ford competitive, including hiring Carroll Shelby.

This documentary includes the genesis and history of the two companies. Both world-renowned auto makers, both named after their founders, Ford and Ferrari were on opposite ends of the business spectrum. Ford made affordable cars to transport people reliably and comfortably. Ferrari was mostly interested in racing, they made only enough consumer cars to pay for the racing enterprise and they were the most successful road-racing company.

In a Ford/Ferrari deal gone bad in the early 1960s, Ford II came away with a grudge, determined to build Ford racing cars that would beat Ferrari in the biggest road races, Daytona, Sebring, and le Mans regardless of the cost. Ford assembled an expert team to design the car and build the racing engine but it wasn't easy. However as history tells us Ford in fact did win the three big races in 1966, and were 1-2-3 at LeMans.

This is a very worthwhile documentary. It uses archival footage and photos plus present day interviews with many mechanics, drivers, and Ford executives that were involved back in the 1960s.

Very cool story, and told by exciting people with great footage. BUT it's a history with many different events, companys and people, and it's impossible to keep apart with this little help through the movie, and this fast skipping through events....

I was born in 1966 and obviously had no clue of the state of auto racing or the major players. I enjoyed the historic slice of racing that you touched on and how events unfolded post WWII. I have always known names like mario andretti and aj foyt growing up and I liked a documentary that connected the dots as to why they were big names in their sports. A good blend of entertainment and education and after watching I realize that there are so many other stories that deserve to be told, specifically Carrol Shelby. Well done!

SteveO

The film should have to mention that the Ford GT (excellent car) should run in a different category than the Ferrari 330P4 in any other race since the Mark 1, 2 and 3 (the british car) had about 1000cc more than the Ferrari in that race and the Mark IV was about 3000cc bigger. However the film is the best I have seen about this matters.