By Adrian Musolino
December 29th 2008 @ 6:52am
Related coverage
The Greatest Sports Documentaries
If you’re still recovering from unwrapping presents and singing Christmas carols, fear not. There is an escape from the boredom of the season: five great documentaries that not only entertain but also enlighten us about what makes sport so great.
1. Once in a Lifetime (2006)
Narrated by actor Matt Dillon and featuring a groovy 70s soundtrack, this doco charts the spectacular rise and fall of the New York Cosmos and the North American Soccer League. It’s a fascinating story of a movie studio executive who saw the potential of the world game and successfully turned the Cosmos and soccer into the hottest ticket in the Big Apple. The film centres around the impact Pele had during his spell with the club including the following scene that looks at how the club wooed the greatest ever player to North America.
There are several parallels that can be drawn between the development of the sport in both North America and Australia so it provides an interesting avenue for comparison.
It’s a great tale told in a thoroughly entertaining manner.
2. The History of Football (2002)
This epic 13 episode series charts the history of the world game from its origins, evolution and future. It also contains episodes about Brazil, Africa and a particularly moving episode entitled “The Dark Side” on the sad history of hooliganism and other tragedies.
Not only is it informative, it also portrays the game in a way few documentaries have achieved – full of emotion, perspective and depth.
With over thirty hours of extras this is the definitive history of the game.
3. When We Were Kings (1997)
The story of the Rumble in the Jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman is brilliantly told in this documentary.
Not only do you gain inside access to one of the most incredible sporting events, it also demonstrates why Ali is an icon of the 20th century. His bravado is on display throughout as well as his philosophies and relationship with the people of Zaire.
4. Faster (2004)
What motivates motorbike racers to risk life and limb every fortnight?
Faster, narrated by bike nut Ewan McGregor, explores their world. What motivates them to race and what it’s like to be part of the globetrotting MotoGP circus.
I suggest you also check out the short sequel film that updates the story of the sport up until 2004 and Valentino Rossi’s move to Yamaha.
It also contains this scene that explores the ultimate price the riders risk each time they get on the bike.
A very well made doco that gives you a historical perspective of the sports recent history.
5. Hoop Dreams (1994)
An American classic that explores the hopes and dreams of two African–American boys playing high school basketball trying to make it into the pro leagues.
The story is about so much more than basketball.
It’s about the struggle of the working class in inner city America and sport as an escape from this world. The hope it provides but also the devastation when it doesn’t happen.
There are plenty more great sporting documentaries out there. Please add your own favourites to the list.
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Savvas Tzionis said | December 29th 2008 @ 8:36am | Report comment
Peter Burns ‘History of Baseball’…….. my favourite ever…and I don’t even really like Baseball!!!
sheek said | December 29th 2008 @ 11:20am | Report comment
I have ‘When We Were Kings’ in my private collection, & can vouch for its sheer briliance.
A constant criticism against Muhammed Ali being the greatest heavyweight of all-time, or the greatest boxer of any division of all-time, was his reputed lack of punching power, & killer instinct.
I’m no Einstein, & no boxing expert, but I reckon this is rubbish. To Ali, boxing was what it was purported to be – a science. He would only knock an opponent out, when he felt the fight slipping away from him, &/or he had no other option.
Against his great contemporaies of the 70s – George Foreman, Joe Frazier & Ken Norton – he knew he had no option but to put them out on the canvas. Or vice-versa. Otherwise, he saw his genius in out-boxing & out-pointing his opponents.
But Ali was certainly the smartest boxer I have ever seen in 40 years of following sport. He also possessed great physical courage inside the ring, & even greater moral courage outside the ring.
Honestly, how many of us would have had the courage of their conviction, to stand up against the government in his day. Not just any government, but the most powerful government in the world. That of the USA.
I have another video, of the history of the racehorse Tulloch. There is a scene of his comeback race that brings tears to even the most hardened individual. After 2 years at death’s door, Tulloch is finally back in training. He has missed his entire 4 year old racing season, & most of his 5 year old season (often a horse’s best two years).
His first comeback race isn’t any old race. It’s the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes over a mile & a half (2400 metres) at Flemington during the Melbourne Autumn carnival (March 1960). His is up against Lord, a Melbourne horse, & the best weight-for-age (wfa) horse at the time, much loved by his home crowd.
The two horses slug it out for the last 500 metres or so, from around the bend to the finish post. First, one horse, then the other, gets their nose in front. On the line, Tulloch is the winner by a half-head.
The 100,000 plus Melbourne crowd gives the Sydney horse Tulloch a standing ovation all the way back to the dismount yard. I tell you, I get a tear again just typing this. You don’t even have to be a thoroughbred racing fan to appreciate this kind of story!
Sam Taulelei said | December 29th 2008 @ 11:59am | Report comment
“When we were Kings” and “Hoop dreams” stand out for me. Saw both on the big screen and then bought the DVD’s to add to my collection. A few others I’ve enjoyed were “Dogtown and Z Boys”, “Ring of Fire – the Emile Griffith Story”, “Michael Jordan – Come Fly With Me” and “Pumping Iron”
Thanks for the post, I’m interested in viewing some of the others that you’ve mentioned.
Adrian Musolino said | December 29th 2008 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
Other notable mentions:
- Troy’s Story – documentary about motorbike racer Troy Bayliss.
- Michael Jordan to the Max – follows Jordan’s last season with the Bulls.
Also for those of you with Foxtel – Once in a Lifetime is on rotation on the Showcase channel so keep an eye out for it.
Spiro Zavos said | December 29th 2008 @ 2:20pm | Report comment
The Burns ‘History of Baseball’ is the benchmark sports documentary in my opinion. The brilliant use of photos, music and sociology (the story of the black baseball leagues, for instance, and the Jewish baseball stars etc) make this history a history of America, as much as a history of its national sport.
Savvas Tzionis said | December 29th 2008 @ 2:30pm | Report comment
Spiro,
The fact that most of the early episodes of the Peter Burns History of Baseball doco had virtually no live action footage speaks volumes for the sheer outstandign quality of the series.
When will our local leagues ever produce anything of a similair ilk?
Maybe we will have to be satisfied with our movies (The Great McCarthy from 1975 and The Club from 1979), at least from an Aussie Rules perspective.
Adrian Musolino said | December 29th 2008 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
Is the History of Baseball readily available or hard to find?
Savvas Tzionis said | December 29th 2008 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
Not sure about availability. SBS showed it about 5-8 years ago. I am happy to wait until they show it again.
For some unknown reason, the things that stick in my memory from the series were:
- Ty Cobb. A ruthless a*hole but a great player from 100 years ago
- The ‘death’ of the New York teams, the Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1950’s. 10 years later a new team, the Mets is formed. Just seemed so silly.
Dave said | December 29th 2008 @ 3:11pm | Report comment
The History of Football is absolutely magnificent. Not only is it a history of the World Game but also a recent history of the world in many respects, whereas other documentaries concerning sports played in one country give you perspective of that country. It covers all continents and the rise or not of the game…it is warts and all and IMO the best.
Once We Were Kings is brilliant for a documentary on a single event, compelling as that is.
Adrian
History of Baseball can be picked up in stores that import US DVD,s or on the internetl
Adrian Musolino said | December 29th 2008 @ 6:28pm | Report comment
Thanks lads – I’ll check it out.
It seems like it is a similar series to the History of Football – tracing the sports history and heritage.
Alex Moore said | December 29th 2008 @ 8:25pm | Report comment
What about “Year of the Dogs” (“I’ll spew up!”)
Mike Bassett: England Manager for best mocumentary. (You tell me where on that team list it says Benson and Hedges?!”)
Loved Hoop Dreams and Faster.
Remember that old Eddie Irvine doco?
Adrian Musolino said | December 29th 2008 @ 8:44pm | Report comment
Eddie Irvine – Living the Fast Life. An inside look at the lifestyle of a Formula 1 driver. Very funny.
OldManEmu said | December 29th 2008 @ 9:31pm | Report comment
Not strictly a sports doco but there is a show about the Munich Olympic games that brings it all into pretty sharp focus……..particularly the fact that they kept bloody jumping and running and throwing and swimming and so on.
Its why I love so much watching my little boys play with abandon and why I very nearly punch in the nose the multitude of pushy parents that seem to proliferate the pre-schools these days. Sport is sport is spor tand it is a beautiful thing until adults and men with money and governments get involved.
Sheek, bottom bar Noble stand day three, tea time for a beer – I’ll be the bloke running down the straight like Kingston Town on his third Cox Plate. Despite your pathological hatred of Gregan with a palpable love of the nags youmust be a bloke worth having a cascade light with.
sheek said | December 29th 2008 @ 10:06pm | Report comment
OME,
Thanks for the compliment. Hopefully, we can suck a few beers together one day.
Point of order though. I don’t have a pathological hatred of Gregan. I think he just overstayed his welcome a little. Not his fault, of course. I’ve always admired his courage. I thought he was a great rugby player. But technically, he was a flawed scrumhalf.
But then, I would also say Mark Ella was a flawed flyhalf, but I just love the guy! Horses for courses, I guess.
Trivia. I can name every Melbourne Cup winner from 1929 to 2008, & plenty of others before that here & there. Before I die I want to be able to name the whole lot from 1861 without fail. Just for the heck of it!
Steffy said | December 30th 2008 @ 3:07am | Report comment
Another Bloody Sunday – it was made in the early 80s and shows the fortunes (or otherwise) of the Doncaster rugby club
There’s most of it linked on this site:
http://drunkbirders.blogspot.com/2008/12/another-bloody-sunday.html
Steve Kaless said | December 30th 2008 @ 8:10am | Report comment
“Year of the Dogs” for me. Absolute belter, everything that sport is and hollywood attempts at sport aren’t.
Cpaaa said | December 31st 2008 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Maradona, just watched it again over christmas. Undisputed greatest ever player after Pele. Like any great doco, the highs
(no pun) and lows are well documented.
Frank O'Keeffe said | December 31st 2008 @ 10:51am | Report comment
I love the mamba out of ‘When We Were Kings’. I don’t care how Norman Mair romanticised everything about the event, making it seem like a story about Ali conquering his fears, I still think it’s brilliant.
Pippinu said | December 31st 2008 @ 11:05am | Report comment
The doco of Brazil winning the 1970 WC is good, with Pele taking us through each of Brazil’s games.
The doco on Italy winning the 1982 WC isn’t quite as good, but that was such a great WC that it’s still worth a look – someone like Sean Connery is doing the voice over (?)
There’s a surf movie from the late 60s, early 70s – The Endless Wave? – it mixes great footage with the search by a bunch of young all-Americans looking for the perfect wave – in a very natural, unexaggerated manner.
The Year of the Dog must just about be one of the best reality docos ever made – going a long way to capturing the essence of why our indigenous game is so important to so many Australians (it involves my team, on their knees yet again).
Adrian Musolino said | December 31st 2008 @ 11:57am | Report comment
G’Olé! – The Story of the 1982 World Cup – narrated by Sean Connery. It’s one of the best World Cup review doco’s. The latest incarnations of the reviews have been disappointing but still worth a look.
Sam Taulelei said | December 31st 2008 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
And in my opinion the 1982 tournament was one of the most exciting and entertaining to follow, closely followed by the ‘86 tournament.
That Brazil side is one of my favourite sides ever and as a teenager I was mesmerised by their players and style of play. Felt truly robbed of watching greatness when they were knocked out in the semis.
Adrian Musolino said | December 31st 2008 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
There is a 1986 doco too which was very good – can’t remember if Sean Connery narrated it too. The 1982 and 1986 doco’s are very hard to find though.
Jim Bom said | December 31st 2008 @ 3:57pm | Report comment
I saw a 5 part history of rugby on the BBC about 7 years ago. The thing that made it most memorable for me was there was little game footage! It showed the history of the game and the Webb Ellis myth (a myth because the game had been taken over from the southern aristos by the nouveau riche northerners and they needed to restore the elitist nature of the game), the schism that bore rugby league, a whole episode just on France (French cabinet meetings are forbidden on the day of France playing a test) and another on the NZ and SA game (the new world countries). It was a brilliant doco, but for the life of me I can’t remember the name. I’ve tried to find it again as a keeper without success. Has anyone seen it and if so, remember the name?
Frank O'Keeffe said | January 1st 2009 @ 3:28pm | Report comment
I should add my the ABC did a brilliant job with their two documentaries:
The Rise and Rise of Australian Rugby – The Bledisloe Cup
The Rise and Rise of Australian Rugby – The Grand Slam
Aside from the fact that the Bledisloe Cup documentary looks in-depth at just about every significant game the Wallabies played from 1978-1991 against New Zealand, and the Grand Slam documentary really explores Australia’s improvement towards the later stages of the 70s before the ‘84 Grand Slam, what really separates these documentaries from other sporting documentaries is the quality of research.
I believe around 55 rugby players from different nations were interviewed for that series. I’m not just talking about Australians, I’m talking about people like Graeme Price (who discusses the Steve Finnane incident), Andy Irvine, Iane Milne, Robert Ackerman, Grant Fox, Sean Fitzpatrick, Gary Whetton, Andy Dalton, Bryce Rope etc. There’s nothing like making a point and strengthening it with a heck of a lot of good testimony…
I fully recommend these docos to anybody who loves rugby. If you’re not that big a fan of rugby, they’ll make you a bigger fan of rugby. Just great stuff!
Koala Bear said | January 1st 2009 @ 3:32pm | Report comment
SBS Johnny Warren’s doco of his career … Never seen before footage during the 1874 world cup qualifiers…
~~~~~~~~
KB
Koala Bear said | January 1st 2009 @ 3:35pm | Report comment
( date correction)
SBS Johnny Warren’s doco of his career … Never seen before footage during the 1974 world cup qualifiers…
sorry still supportiong a hangover….
~~~~~~~~~~
KB
Sam said | January 1st 2009 @ 4:30pm | Report comment
KB
I remember actually a doco of Johnny Warren on SBS after the time of his death and just after we had beat Uruguay in the World Cup qualifier in Sydney. The whole stadium watched on the screen a Johnny Warren tribute. Then they sang “You’ll Never Wak Alone” and then chanted “Johnny, Johnny…” From what I heard many people were in tears in the stadium.
The doco shows the emotion of the Uruguay game as well as the life of Johnny Warren. A must for all Australians to view. Just shows how passionate the guy was about the game.
Koala Bear said | January 1st 2009 @ 5:01pm | Report comment
Sam,
I started my football at the Earlwood Wanders Football club.. I was 2 years younger than Johnny and met and played football with him at training; Earlwood Oval .. Just kick around stuff .. He turned up at the Earlwood Wanders home ground 50th birthday anniversary some 12 years ago, that I traveled down to; and we chattered.. He always had time for anyone who loved football and wanted to chat about it ..
I live on the Gold Coast now so I didn’t see the film at the Uruguay game at the Olympic Stadium; just a bit of the tributes before the qualifier on SBS TV .. But the SBS doco was brilliant and I hope Les Murray will play it again next year … Johnny was a sincere, honest and marvelous person .. I thank my good luck, meeting and playing at the same junior club he did, for a short time in our lives when were boys …
~~~~~~~~~
KB
Sam said | January 1st 2009 @ 5:49pm | Report comment
KB
One other thing I remember about Johnny was that night he broke down on TV after the Iran WC Qualifier in Melbourne in 1997. He suffered through it all only to be denied the glory of seeing us qualify in the end. It’s as if it was meant to happen. I also remember his Captain Socceroo shows as a kid and how much he loved to share his passion with others.
By the way I also love some boxing documentaries also shown on SBS at the time of Ali, Foreman and Frazier. As a guy who isn’t into boxing, that was boxing’s greatest era no doubt.
Kazama said | January 1st 2009 @ 5:59pm | Report comment
The Johnny Warren doco is called Johnny Warren’s Football Mission. You can still get it on DVD I think.
Sam said | January 1st 2009 @ 6:01pm | Report comment
Cheers Kazama. I might look around for it.
Adrian Musolino said | January 1st 2009 @ 6:10pm | Report comment
Other football doco’s on SBS include –
- The Away Game – the secret lives of Australia’s stars.
- Football Rivalries.
Both are available on DVD.
I don’t recall the exact names but I remember Les Murray narrated a series on the history of football and one on South American football. Does anyone remember what they were called?
There was also a series on Fox called King of Clubs – if I remember correctly – that was very well made.
Koala Bear said | January 1st 2009 @ 6:33pm | Report comment
By the way I also love some boxing documentaries also shown on SBS at the time of Ali, Foreman and Frazier. As a guy who isn’t into boxing, that was boxing’s greatest era no doubt.
Ah yes the rumble in the jungle.. I saw that and managed to tape it .. Mohammad Ali another champion, or champion men should I say in more ways then one…
Sam,
I remember Johnny on that infamous night, when Iran knocked us out on that away goal rule.. Did you see Kyle Patterson’s doco “The night after” based on that qualifier ..? Another marvelous doco of that match… I mean how did we lose that..? I was shattered and new how much Johnny was hurting after and everyone at SBS looking like stunned mullets…
Funny in away it sort of made Australia more determined to end the curse of Mozambique
I think after that ill fated evening, Johnny was convinced the curse was real and so did John Safran whose successful exploit in breaking the curse, that the witch doctor put on us was God send … lol…. that was a funny yarn… 
~~~~~~~~~
KB
Kazama said | January 1st 2009 @ 6:37pm | Report comment
I have a mini series Les narrated on DVD called Height of Passion which examines the rivalries of Real & Barca, AC & Inter, Flamengo & Vasco and Boca & River. Maybe this was repackaged as Football Rivalries?
A couple of old ones I have on tape that I like are the two Euro 88 docos – Tor! and Road to Munich. That Dutch team was really something special.
Today I had lunch with some rellies and afterwards we watched SANFL The Way It Was ‘82, narrated by a young Bruce McAvaney. Classic stuff.
Kazama said | January 1st 2009 @ 6:38pm | Report comment
KB: “Did you see Kyle Patterson’s doco “The night after” based on that qualifier ..?”
I remember it, KB. Maybe when we qualify for 2010 they’ll show it again. I don’t think that one is on DVD.
Adrian Musolino said | January 1st 2009 @ 6:49pm | Report comment
Kazama, I’m not sure if the Height of Passion is the same as the Football Rivalries.
Sadly a lot of these documentaries are not on DVD or VHS.
Sam said | January 1st 2009 @ 7:01pm | Report comment
KB
On that night I remember Mike Tomalaris interviewing the Iran coach who almost was embarressed to win. Then he tried to interview one of the Iran players who was celebrating in an extremely annoying way and showed Mike no respect at all. I remember the look on Mike’s face how and he wanted to just grab the bloke and..:)
Koala Bear said | January 1st 2009 @ 7:06pm | Report comment
Kazama,
luckily I tape it .. I still have it somewhere I’m sure, but to sit thru it again will be terribly painful.. I remember a thing or two about it when David Hill was interviewed .. He said that the whole corporate box were stunned and sat in disbelief.. he said during the first half everyone thought it was not a question that the Socceroos were going to win .. But by how many goals they were gong to win by .. Yes indeed, I thought we could have, and should have been 6 goals up at half time…
Craig Foster said on TWG that he has not seen a replay of it till this day and refuses to do so .. but has a tape of the match and said he will give it to his son to watch it … the emotion is still very deep .. I even can still feel it myself to this day.. Boy was it painful that night… ;(
~~~~~~~~
KB
Koala Bear said | January 1st 2009 @ 7:14pm | Report comment
Sam,
very true and Terry Venables said to Graham Arnold in the toilet that was the worst experience of his life in charge of a football team .. It was the cruelest football occasion he had experienced.. He still accepted the dough tho
~~~~~~~~~
KB
Kazama said | January 1st 2009 @ 7:14pm | Report comment
Yeah, I just had a look on the SBS shop site and honestly I’m pretty disappointed with the selection of football DVDs. It’d be nice if maybe SBS could upload the ones they aren’t selling, such as The Night After, onto the TWG website, or something along those lines so that good docos aren’t rotting away in the archives where we can’t see them.
Sam – Johnny Warren’s Football Mission isn’t listed on the SBS site which suggests it is out of print, so you might have to look on eBay or in shops that sell second-hand DVDs.
Michael C said | January 1st 2009 @ 7:23pm | Report comment
Local mentions -
“The year of the dog”
and the yet to be seen Ben Cousins doco is apparently worthy of a release that may not happen.
Recently SBS screen the doco series “Alive and kicking” about footy locally across Tasmania and King Island……that was a brilliant watch.
There was on ABC a doco recently about the rebirth of the ‘Fitzroy Stars’ (an inner Melb indigenous footy team)………of interest in the old Syd vs Melb NRL vs AFL is the reporting of this program (at the time, the day before screening) in the SMH – - read the last 2 paragraphs first, if you will. (talk about disingenous.)
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/breaking-the-codes-indigenous-players-lead-the-way/2008/09/19/1221331205871.html
- – - – my favourite of all though – cricket – Calypso Summer. 3 DVD Set … Over 5 hours of Match Highlights from the 1960-61 West Indies Cricket Tour of Australia, including the famous “Tied Test”.
Rod said | February 23rd 2010 @ 4:36pm (4 weeks ago) | Report comment
What’s wrong with the last two paras MC, all it said was the truth.
Sam said | January 1st 2009 @ 7:24pm | Report comment
KB
If you look at the team then: a young and in form Kewell, an agile and skilful Viduka, the clever and skilful Aurelio Vidmar, defenders such as Tobin and Ivanovich, Zelic in midfield (I think) and Bosnich in goal.
I really rated that team and I have never seen an Aussie team dominate so much in a first half. I remember clamping my hands after we missed sitter after sitter.
By the way the first Iran goal was offside. This makes it even worse!
Adrian Musolino said | January 1st 2009 @ 7:26pm | Report comment
There is this site which has a large catalogue of football DVDs – http://www.classicfootballdvds.com. It is English so the Australian football documentaries mentioned are not on there. If anyone knows where to find them please let us know.
Kazama said | January 1st 2009 @ 7:27pm | Report comment
Sam: “On that night I remember Mike Tomalaris interviewing the Iran coach who almost was embarressed to win.”
That interview is in The Night After – the coach admitted Australia deserved to go through and I think he went as far as to say it was a tragedy that we missed out. He was very honest given that his side had just made the World Cup out of nowhere.
KB – As I’ve said before I have no recollection of the match at all and I have no desire to watch a replay at this point. I’m glad it is out of my mind. I remember the 2001 loss well though and again I’d say I’ll never watch a replay, unless it is with my kids or something like that. Also, the loss to Italy was very painful and when I was watching the SBS World Cup review I turned the TV off when that game came on. To me, watching old defeats is a bit like watching a video of your wedding after you find out your wife is cheating on you with your best man.
Koala Bear said | January 1st 2009 @ 7:40pm | Report comment
By the way the first Iran goal was offside. This makes it even worse!
Sam,
yes I thought it was offside too .. But as they say; that’s football and I think Venables not selecting Ivanovich was the making of our down fall; if he Ivanovich had been in there it would have been totally different.. We could have done with Okon also who was injured for the entire campaign I think..?? Now that was an unfortunate occurrence, as Okon was at his peak as a player during that time but never featured .. Knee injury after knee injury, playing for Lazio .. ( ? )
~~~~~~~~
KB
Koala Bear said | January 1st 2009 @ 7:56pm | Report comment
Kazama,
Boy we could debate this one over and over.. but we did well to get that close to the semis..
Now that loss aginst Italy … Interesting penalty wasn’t it ..
Sam,
what are your thoughts on Lucas Neill penalty was it or wasn’t it .?. btw I thought it wasn’t but again that’s football at the risk of upsetting some of my Italian friends, I thought it was a dive to be honest and was most upset with the ref at the time however truly over it…. I think you could not blame the ref nor the player as it happens at real speed and only the ref can make the decision from where he is position and call it how he sees it.. Again that’s football and I wouldn’t have it any other way .. Video refs have farked League and I would hate to see football go that way…
~~~~~~~~~~
KB
Sam said | January 1st 2009 @ 8:07pm | Report comment
KB
I thought it was a dive. But it was a dive worth a penalty let’s say.. I though Bresciano had a lot to do with the penalty as well though.
I say no to the video ref. Football needs the drama. It also needs the basic elements of a ball, two goals and some players to exist. This is why it is played everywhere. Because it is so simple. FIFA won’t change it.
Adrian Musolino said | January 1st 2009 @ 8:13pm | Report comment
Here are some more motorsport doco’s:
- Jackie Stewart – The Flying Scot.
- The F1 Saga. Like the History of Football this series traces the history of the sport. Hard to find nowadays.
- A Star Named Ayrton Senna – one of the best doco’s in my opinion. As far as I know it is only available on VHS.
Adrian Musolino said | January 1st 2009 @ 8:27pm | Report comment
Searching through the site I mentioned before I came across a doco called RISE OF THE ROOS – The Road to Germany 2006. The synopsis says – The documentary features interviews with players, coaches and officials to present the full story behind one of the greatest moments in Australian sporting history.
Anyone heard of it before?
Koala Bear said | January 1st 2009 @ 8:41pm | Report comment
Sam,
I think we are in total agreement.. On that note; good night all I hope you had a good new years day….
~~~~~~~~~
KB
Kazama said | January 1st 2009 @ 9:00pm | Report comment
Adrian, I remember watching Rise of the Roos. I was going to mention it before but I couldn’t remember the name. It was another good one that has disappeared off the face of the earth. Pretty much an in depth look at the changes the national team underwent during the campaign and the state of football in this country at the time, with Arnie – I think? – giving comments here and there.
KB, you too mate.
Adrian Musolino said | January 1st 2009 @ 9:03pm | Report comment
Thanks mate. Would be worth checking out.
Kazama said | January 1st 2009 @ 9:20pm | Report comment
No worries. It’s a really good look at where football was before we qualified. It’d be great to show it to people in about 10 years time to see how important that night against Uruguay was and how far we’ve come since then.
I look forward to the day I can get a laugh out of my kids by telling them when I was young I went to see the Socceroos play a World Cup Qualifier at Marden!
Cpaaa said | January 2nd 2009 @ 11:38am | Report comment
Johnny Warrens Football Mission is still available at Dymocks book stores..
im still waiting for a doco on the history of Australian Football. there has been too much mess, heart ache, corruption, colour, war zones, witch doctors,stars and now revolution.
for this part of history to be swept under the carpet would be tragic.
…im waiting
Michael C said | January 11th 2009 @ 4:24pm | Report comment
Cpaaa -
yep, I too am waiting on a doco on the history of Australian Football…….oh, in ‘96 there was a centenary of the AFL/VFL doco that wasn’t bad.
I’m reading a book on Thomas Wills now that’ll make a great doco/dramatic recreation.
Keith said | February 3rd 2009 @ 6:42pm | Report comment
Great thread – Hoop Dreams is up there for me, but from the looks of things I’ve got a lot of good watching to do.
I’d recommend Patu! to anybody. It’s a fascinating documentary about the Springboks’ 1981 tour of New Zealand and the mass protests it sparked. It has incredible footage from inside protests and it really captures the feeling around an event that ripped apart families…”One Two Three Four We Don’t Want Your Rascist Tour!’
There’s also a French made (Canal Plus) documentary series called Great Sporting Rivalries. One of the episodes deals with the ABs v the Springboks and has in depth analysis of individual matches, centering on the legendary 1956 tour. Interviews with ABs greats as well as terrific retro footage make this worth a look for rugby fans.
Keith said | February 3rd 2009 @ 7:10pm | Report comment
Slightly off topic here, but I’m really curious to see Clint Eastwood’s movie adaptation of John Carlin’s book The Human Factor: Nelson Mandela and The Game That Changed the World. It’s about an important part of Mandela’s life post Robben island, and his magnificent gesture at the 1995 Rugby World Cup.It’s a pretty star studded affair with Morgan Freeman as the great man and (apparently) Matt Damon as Springboks captain Francois Pienaar. Hope they don’t stuff it up!
It’s in production and has a December 2009 release date.
Adrian Musolino said | February 3rd 2009 @ 7:51pm | Report comment
Keith, thanks for contributing.
Sports movies can be very hit and miss. Let’s hope they get it right because it is a fantastic story.
Shahsan said | March 10th 2009 @ 10:12am | Report comment
I thought Living with Lions, the fly-on-the-wall documentary of the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 1997 was brilliant. There was no voice over and everything relied on good editing and the players’ words themselves. Highlights were the celebratory dinner and the team singing Wonderwall, the stoushes at training, the Player’s Court, Will Greenwood’s injury and Dr Robson’s and Will’s mother’s reactions, the discussions over selections, Doddie Weir’s reaction when he realised his tour was over, and especially John Bentley’s moments and the speeches by Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer. Lots of insight about a team on tour, good management, selfless players, teambuilding, inspirational speeches and how the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
They tried to do a similar video for the tour to Australia in 1991 but this time less-interesting amd obnoxious characters such as Austin Healey and Matt Dawson took centre stage, with correspondingly poorer results. They didn’t win the series and the video was boring.
Albert Ross said | March 10th 2009 @ 10:36am | Report comment
The Sports Factor on ABC Radio National was often in reality an audio documentary that covered a wide range of sports over the years. There were many wonderful interviews conducted latterly by Mick O’Reagan but there were a number of other presenters over the years.
The program was suddenly axed in late 2008 without any rational reason being given and replaced by yet another fillum review program presented by a simpering un-mellifluous Mrs Bruce Petty and some sycophantic sidekick.
Fortunately have kept an archive of shows from 1999 to January this year online at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/sportsfactor/
Holmsinator said | May 17th 2009 @ 7:48pm | Report comment
The BBC 5 part (I thought it was 4) rugby series is called The Union Game – a rugby history. It is a must see sports as it really gave a deeper and not always rose tinted version of rugby union. Have been wanted to get it on DVD for years but doesn’t seem available. If anyone has any info on availability would be great.
Red Cap said | February 23rd 2010 @ 4:13pm (4 weeks ago) | Report comment
It still avoids large swathes of dire history don’t worry…
The pathetic attempt to avoid the issue of Vichy by the French union historian – an Englishman – speaks volumes for the series. The BBC should be ashamed of that effort.