Our new release is the score for Ford v Ferrari by Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders. The 2019 biographical film, directed by James Mangold, stands out as a thrilling and heartfelt drama that transcends the tropes of a sports film. The movie, starring Christian Bale as British race car driver Ken Miles and Matt Damon as automotive designer Carroll Shelby, recounts the true story of Ford’s ambitious quest to challenge Ferrari’s dominance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1960s. Celebrated for its stellar performances, sharp editing, and thrilling race sequences, the film masterfully balances humor, drama, and the spirit of competition. It garnered critical acclaim and achieved impressive box office success, further solidifying its place as a modern classic.
At the heart of this cinematic journey lies the evocative score by Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, longtime collaborators with Mangold. Known for their ability to infuse emotional depth into diverse narratives, the duo crafted a musical backdrop that perfectly complements the film’s themes of ambition, innovation, and perseverance. The composers opted for a nuanced approach that highlights the human drama as much as the visceral excitement of the races, while also capturing the coolness and sleaze of the 1960s organically.
In crafting the score, Beltrami and Sanders employed a 15-member band, rotating instruments to reflect the shifts in era, genre, and narrative tone. This approach eschewed the traditional orchestral sound of film scores in favor of an intimate yet dynamic palette. Electric and acoustic guitars, string and electric bass, drum kits, piano, organ, saxophone, flute, and brass instruments like trumpets and trombones formed the core ensemble. Notably, each instrument played a vital role in shaping the film’s emotional and temporal identity. For example, earlier scenes incorporate string bass, piano, and trombones to evoke a sense of corporate sophistication, while electric guitars and organ dominate the younger, rebellious sequences.
Additionally, the score is built on a foundation of recurring motifs. One of its standout elements is a five-note motif associated with Ken Miles, predominantly performed by trumpets and trombones. This driving motif emerges at key moments, such as when Miles is closer to victory or triumphs in a race. Tracks like “Daytona - Go Like Hell” and “Chasing Bandini” showcase the motif’s versatility, underscoring the intense action with a sense of purpose and exhilaration.
Reflective cues such as “7000 RPM” and “Wide View” provide an atmospheric counterpoint, enhancing the philosophical undercurrents of the story. The themes introduced here are further developed in tracks like “Perfect Lap” and “Wrench,” which delve into the emotional stakes of the narrative, offering moments of introspection amidst the high-octane drama. The interplay of jazz influences in pieces like “Henry Ford the Second”, “Iacocca’s Idea”, and “The Request” adds a layer of sophistication, evoking the era’s cultural backdrop while highlighting the corporate tension and ingenuity driving the plot.
Notably, the score’s action sequences in the mid portion, such as “Night Driving,” employ rhythmic percussion that mimics the sound of a galloping horse—a subtle nod to the horsepower fueling the story. This inventive approach encapsulates the film’s relentless energy and the endurance required to succeed in the racing world.
The original soundtrack release by Hollywood Records, while showcasing key moments, lacked a cohesive narrative due to its non-chronological track arrangement and omission of several significant cues. This new album from Renovatio Records addresses these shortcomings, presenting the score in its intended order to highlight its narrative flow and thematic depth. The inclusion of previously missing cues enhances the listening experience, offering a fuller appreciation of Beltrami and Sanders’ craftsmanship. In addition to the orchestral pieces, this new album features the song “Polk Salad Annie” by James Burton, a recurring element in the film that captures the rebellious spirit of the 1960s. This track seamlessly integrates with the score’s aesthetic, bridging the worlds of rock, jazz, and cinematic storytelling.
With this release, fans of Ford v Ferrari can rediscover the rich musical tapestry that drives the film’s emotional and narrative momentum. Beltrami and Sanders’ score is not just an accompaniment to the visuals; it is an integral part of the story and a testament to the composers’ creative synergy and adaptability—one that now finds its ultimate expression in this definitive album.
Track listing:
Cover Artwork:
Credits:
Cue Assembly:
|
Track Title |
Slate & Cue Title |
|
1. Le Mans 59 |
1m01ALTv1 Shelby Races le
Mans with Pedal OD 3m01v4 Shelby Speech |
|
2. 7000 RPM |
1m02ALTv1 Shelby Drives Mulholland |
|
3. Willow Sprints |
1m06v2 Willow Springs 1m01v3 Shelby Races Le Mans |
|
4. Henry Ford the Second |
1m03v5 Ford Arrives 1m04v1 Lee's Got An Idea (Edited) |
|
5. Iacocca’s Idea |
2m02v4 Buy Ferrari Speech
REPLACE 2m01v3 We are Buggered
(Edited) 2m03v2 Arrival in Italy 2m04ALTv1 Photos to Flat |
|
6. Not a Ford Man |
3m02v4 30 Minutes 2m06v2 Henry Ford's Revenge (Edited) 3m03v2 Not A Ford Man |
|
7. Miles Isn't Going |
4m01v2 Miles Isn't Going
NEW |
|
8. Wide View |
4m03v3 Perfect Lap Chat |
|
9. Go Like Hell |
5m03v4 Daytona-They Won
(Edited) |
|
10. Walk the Track |
6m01v3 Walk the Track |
|
11. Rough Start |
6m02v1 Countdown to Race
(Edited) 6m03v3 Door Jam (Edited) 6m04v2 Catching Up (Edited) |
|
12. Rain Coming In |
6m05v1 Rain Coming In 6m06Av3 Driving in the Rain |
|
13. Night Driving |
6m06BALTv2 Rain - Part 2 6m06Bv3 Rain - Part 2
(Edited) |
|
14. Chasing Bandini |
6m09v4 Catching Bandini 8m03v2 End Credits (Edited) |
|
15. The Request |
7m01ALTv2 Shelby Asks Miles
To Slow Down |
|
16. Perfect Lap |
7m02v3 Miles Drives Angry 7m03v1 Perfect Lap |
|
17. Team Player |
7m04ALTv1 Team Player |
|
18. Last Lap |
7m05v2 Walking Away Together 7m06v1 Last Lap |
|
19. Wrench |
8m02v4 Wrench |
|
20. Polk Salad Annie - James Burton |
Polk Salad Annie - James Burton |
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