Thirty-seven years without Enzo Ferrari: the world of cinema has celebrated the man behind the Prancing Horse through films and documentaries, which we revisit here in detail.
On August 14, 1988, Enzo Ferrari passed away. He was the man and the legend of the Cavallino Rampante, remembered ever since by filmmakers through a variety of productions. The most recent is the feature film starring Adam Driver as “Il Drake” during one of the most critical and dramatic periods of his life and career: the Guidizzolo tragedy, which occurred during the 1957 Mille Miglia.
Enzo Ferrari was born in Modena on February 18, 1898. Entrepreneur and motorsport manager, he founded Scuderia Ferrari in 1929. He was nicknamed “The Drake” in reference to the English privateer Sir Francis Drake, a tribute to his relentless determination and resourcefulness in leading his small company. Ferrari managed the business with meticulous, almost obsessive attention to detail and demonstrated an uncompromising will to win, often pushing himself and his team beyond perceived limits in motorsport competition.
Cinema has paid tribute to Enzo Ferrari through numerous productions. Here are the most significant films and documentaries about his life, along with where they can be watched today.
Enzo Ferrari. Il rosso e il nero
RaiPlay offers the 2022 documentary “Enzo Ferrari. Il rosso e il nero,” which focuses on the “red dream” associated with Ferrari’s racing legacy. In under one hour, it takes viewers back to the early 20th century, when a young Enzo Ferrari began his first steps in the world of automobiles and speed. It recounts how he became fascinated by four-wheeled machines, both driving and building them. Directed by Enrico Cerasuolo, this documentary provides an essential introduction to Ferrari’s early years. It is available for free on RaiPlay, though registration is required.
Enzo Ferrari: l’uomo e la leggenda
This documentary retraces the life of the Ferrari legend, highlighting his Formula 1 successes while also casting a somber and attentive eye on his private life. Enzo Ferrari was a particularly complex figure, often shielding himself from the public behind a pair of sunglasses. This production, also available on RaiPlay, provides a nuanced portrayal of both his public achievements and private struggles.
Ferrari (2003)
Directed by Carlo Carlei, this two-part miniseries tells the life story of Enzo Ferrari, portrayed in his youth by Elio Germano and in later years by Sergio Castellitto. Key moments include his childhood, his experiences during the First World War, the birth of his passion for motorsport, his marriage to Laura, his relationship with Lina, the death of his son Dino, and his triumphs and setbacks in Formula 1. The series also explores his bonds with drivers such as Gilles Villeneuve. Though it has been repeatedly broadcast on Mediaset channels, it is currently unavailable for streaming.
Le Mans ’66 – La grande sfida (2019)
Known internationally as “Ford v Ferrari,” this film tells the story of the fierce rivalry between Ford and Ferrari in the 1960s. Directed by James Mangold, it stars Matt Damon as automotive designer Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale as his driver Ken Miles. The plot follows how Henry Ford II recruited them to build a car capable of defeating Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Remo Girone plays Enzo Ferrari. The film is available to stream on Disney+.
Ferrari (2023)
Directed by Michael Mann, the 2023 film “Ferrari” focuses on a single pivotal year in the life of the Drake: 1957. At that time, Enzo Ferrari, portrayed by Adam Driver, was confronting profound personal and professional turmoil. He was grieving the death of his son Dino and enduring a marriage crisis with Laura (played by Penélope Cruz), who had discovered his extramarital relationship with Lina (Shailene Woodley), mother of his other son, Piero. Professionally, Ferrari entered four of his drivers in the Mille Miglia that year. The race ended in one of the most tragic moments in motorsport history: the accident at Guidizzolo, in which Ferrari driver Alfonso de Portago, co-driver Gurner Nelson Edmund, and nine spectators, including five children, lost their lives. The film is currently available on NOW and Prime Video.
Source: f1ingenerale
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