The Deadly Saga: Unmasking the Tragic 1957 Mille Miglia Accident
Unveiling the dark tale of the 1957 Mille Miglia crash, Ferrari takes us on a captivating journey Prepare to witness Enzo Ferrari facing the ultimate trial
Adam Driver stars as the eponymous car entrepreneur in Ferrari, showcasing the true story of the 1957 Mille Miglia crash. Directed by Michael Mann, the film is set to bring powerful filmmaking back to the screen this Christmas, with Penelope Cruz joining Driver in the cast.
In 1957, the company built by Enzo Ferrari and his wife is facing bankruptcy. With everything on the line, Enzo takes a gamble by entering the Mille Miglia, a dangerous 1,000-mile race across Italy. This film depicts the tragic true story of the Mille Miglia crash.
Ferrari: The true story of the 1957 Mille Miglia crash
In 1957, the Mille Miglia crash killed nine spectators during the 1,000-mile Italian road race – all of which is featured in Ferrari.
The reason? A Ferrari car lost control and caused a devastating incident with only a few miles left in the 11-hour race, due to a blown tire by Spanish racer Alfonso de Portago. The car veered off the road and struck nine spectators, including five children. The movie depicts the tragedy occurring on a quiet residential bend with a small row of houses nearby.
Portago and his co-driver Edmund Nelson were killed instantly. The youngest victim, 6-year-old Valentino Rigon, lost his life, as did his 9-year-old sister Virginia. The Mille Miglia was never held again, as automobile racing was already considered one of the most dangerous sports in the world. The use of public roads ultimately led to the downfall of the Mille Miglia.
“The adventurer is most attracted to the uncertainty of the future,” de Portago said beforehand. “Few professions… have less security and more uncertainty about the future than motor racing. One can be on top one second, but all it requires is a very small error and one is very embarrassingly dead the next.”
Enzo Ferrari on trial
Enzo Ferrari was unsurprisingly seen as the 'villain' behind the crash in real life, not only because of his ownership of the company but also due to the company's struggles to maintain its former success. He was subsequently put on trial for manslaughter, a detail not depicted in the film. According to author Luca Dal Monte, if Enzo had been found guilty, it would have had a significant impact on the history of Ferrari, automobiles, and auto racing.
Enzo Ferrari remained with the company throughout the entire three-year trial and was ultimately cleared of all allegations. Although the aftermath of the Mille Miglia is omitted in the film by Michael Mann, Ferrari's fate is revealed just before the closing credits.
"Ferrari" is currently playing in theaters, and you can find our review here. Explore our other upcoming movie and TV hubs below.
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I find the story of the 1957 Mille Miglia crash both fascinating and tragic. It's a reminder of the dangerous nature of automobile racing and the high price that can be paid for pushing the limits of speed and endurance. The fact that the crash occurred during a race that was held on public roads makes it even more shocking and underscores the recklessness of the organizers.
I also find it interesting to learn about the aftermath of the crash and the trial that Enzo Ferrari faced. It's clear that he was seen as responsible for the tragedy, and the fact that he was ultimately cleared of all charges is a testament to the complexity of the situation. The film "Ferrari" promises to shed light on this dark chapter in the history of the iconic car company, and I'm eager to see how it portrays the events of that fateful day.
