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.
Rod
Roar Guru
What's wrong with the last two paras MC, all it said was the truth.
Red Cap
Guest
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.
Holmsinator
Guest
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.
Albert Ross
Guest
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/
Shahsan
Guest
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.
Adrian Musolino
Expert
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.
Keith
Guest
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.
Keith
Guest
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.
Michael C
Guest
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.
Cpaaa
Guest
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
Kazama
Roar Guru
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!
Adrian Musolino
Expert
Thanks mate. Would be worth checking out.
Kazama
Roar Guru
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.
Koala Bear
Guest
Sam, I think we are in total agreement.. On that note; good night all I hope you had a good new years day.... :lol: ~~~~~~~~~ KB
Adrian Musolino
Expert
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?
Adrian Musolino
Expert
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.
Sam
Guest
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.
Koala Bear
Guest
Kazama, Now that loss aginst Italy ... Interesting penalty wasn't it .. :D Boy we could debate this one over and over.. but we did well to get that close to the semis.. 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
Koala Bear
Guest
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
Kazama
Roar Guru
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.