On ESPN primetime Friday: A racing film for the ages, Truth in 24

- Truth in 24 makes its coast-to-coast premiere at 8 p.m. EDT Friday on ESPN
- Film festivals are lauding the NFL Films documentary on the 2008 Le Mans title quest
- Media reviews already hail Truth in 24 as one of the greatest racing films ever made

HERNDON, Va., Mar 18, 2009  -  Compelling films about car races are rarities for good reasons: The action is a blur, the circuits are spread out over great distances, helmeted drivers are nestled into cockpits and access to the teams that make these high-performance machines go can be hard to get.

All of which makes Truth in 24 a remarkable achievement. The full-feature documentary by NFL Films, co-produced by Chicago-based sports programmer Intersport, gives audiences unprecedented access to the human drama leading up to the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s most grueling race which once captivated the likes of Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. After winning awards on the 2008-2009 film festival circuit, Truth in 24 will make its nationwide premiere on ESPN and ESPN HD at 8 p.m. EDT this coming Friday, March 20.

"As you might guess, Truth in 24 isn't the kind of project NFL Films normally pursues, but every now and then something comes along that piques our interest,” said Keith Cossrow, the NFL Films director behind Truth in 24.”The chance to tell a story about one of the most dominant racing teams in history – and one of the greatest sporting events in the world was one we could not pass up.

“Our team dove headlong into a world we barely knew. We followed Audi Sport from Florida to California, From Italy to Germany, and spent nearly three weeks with them in France. We shot 4 races and over 150 hours of film and HD. We went from a novice crew of three at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March to a fully immersed crew of 30 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. It was an intense, risky, grueling experience, and in the end an incredibly rewarding one. A lot like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, I guess, minus the driving 200 miles an hour in pitch black pouring rain at 3 o'clock in the morning."

Never before had the Emmy-winning filmmakers at NFL Films attempted to produce a racing film. But in weaving signature NFL Films storytelling, 7-channel surround sound, vivid cinematography and a gripping narration by Hollywood action star Jason Statham, the directors produced what’s already being called one of the greatest racing films, maybe one of the greatest sports documentaries, of all time.

Take it from motorsports experts and journalists who’ve previewed Truth in 24:

“Truth in 24 is sure to become a classic, a rare view into racing that can captivate both enthusiasts and those around them who have never understood their enthusiasm.” – AutoWeek

"Truth In 24 is one of the best documentaries on motorsports to come out in years and will likely find a place on the shelf next to McQueen's "Le Mans" in many fans' collections for years to come.” – Motor Trend

“Truth in 24  … is such a welcome departure from Hollywood’s idea of a motorsports movie.” – Road & Track

“This documentary has fast become one of the best racing films of all time, and it's definitely worth your time.” – AutoBlog.com

“What works is how easily accessible the film makes Le Mans to non-racing fans.” – Variety

“Performance competition fans and diesel fans – you can now live in harmony in front of your televisions.” – LeftLaneNews.com

“The cinematography is simply stunning with racing footage that truly provides a feeling of the speeds that these cars move. Even for someone who isn't a racing fan, the behind the scenes human drama make Truth in 24 a compelling film to watch.” – AutoBlogGreen.com

“It is our guess that Truth in 24 will go down as one of the all-time great racing movies and is a must-see when you have the opportunity.” – Fourtitude.com

“An energetic, edge-of-your-seat look at the action behind the scenes of this glamorous and world famous event, Truth in 24 is both a dramatic and emotional story.” – Santa Barbara Independent

To arrange interviews with Director Keith Cossrow, please contact Cara Angelucci of NFL Films at +1 856-222-3500 x3782

To arrange interviews with executives at co-producer Intersport, please contact Chuck Johnsen at +1 312-644-5385

To arrange interviews with Audi Sport race drivers and team members, please contact Brad Stertz at +1 703-344-1320.

To learn more about Truth in 24, including movie trailers, information on the racing team and Audi drivers and screensavers, please go to www.truthin24.com

To find our more about the ESPN debut of the film, please consult local listings and go to the TV listings section at www.espn.com