The screening took place at the Pathé cinema on Place des Jacobins, near the imposing cathedral of Le Mans, one of the city’s landmarks. This quarter features in the film and several scenes were filmed on set last July.

Among the dignitaries present at the special afternoon screening were Automobile Club de l’Ouest president Pierre Fillon, the club’s special consultant Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, President of the FIA Endurance Commission, Richard Mille, and Hurley Haywood, three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and this year’s Grand Marshal. Marketing Director Jane Carter represented production company Twentieth Century Fox.

In his introduction, Pierre Fillon evoked “an action-packed era, with a superb wrangle to be top dog” while Jane Fox emphasised “passion and pushing back boundaries”. After the trailer, to the sound of the Rolling Stones Gimme Shelter, director James Mangold addressed the audience by way of a video message, saluting the ACO’s contribution to the making of the film.

The 10-minute extract was both impressive and inspiring. First, the charisma of the lead roles. Matt Damon portrays all the determination of Carroll Shelby, while Christian Bale’s resemblance to driver Ken Miles is striking. Second, the reconstitution of the 1966 race is remarkable. In that respect, the ACO’s input was invaluable and Fabrice Bourrigaud, director of the 24 Hours of Le Mans museum, particularly attentive to the historic details.

After the screening, the French voice of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, commentator Bruno Vandestick revealed that Matt Damon has expressed the wish to do a lap of circuit for real. Hurley Haywood concluded the session by saying that the extract had him on the edge of his seat.

The film is to premiere in Le Mans in October and will be released in November.

Trailer of Le Mans ‘66, soon on a screen near you

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, PATHE CINEMA, LES JACOBINS, FRIDAY 14 JUNE 2019. Pierre Fillon and Jane Carter introduced the film.