Soundoff: Nominate Your Favourite Football Films
By: Daryl | November 6th, 2009
Movies and soccer. Two things that traditionally don’t mix well. In documentary form, maybe. But in scripted Hollywood form? No. For various reasons, it usually ends in either cheesy emotions, unconvincing action, or Robert Duvall’s Scottish accent in A Shot at Glory.
But not always. There are a handful of good football movies out there. So we want to hear from you. Which football movies are worth watching?
This post is both traditional Offside Soundoff (where we ask for your opinions) and also shameless self-promotion. Don’t worry, The Offside has not made a low-budget football movie. (Although… a “behind the scenes of The Offside” documentary might be interesting. Let’s tentatively title it “Behind the Lines: A Blogumentary.”) But Taylor from Man Utd Offside and myself have been co-hosting a talk show on public radio, and this week’s episode is focused on football movies. We ask why they’re so often so very bad, but also speculate which directors’ soccer movies we’d like to see and finally each list our Top 5 favourite football movies.
If you’ve got 27 minutes and 57 seconds to spare, then click here to listen (and if you like the show, then subscribe via iTunes)
If you don’t have 27:57 to spare, then no worries. But we still want to hear from you in the comments. Which football movies are worth watching. And why?
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Soccer Forums | Team/International Results |  |
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Category: World Football
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Comments | Add your comment
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Escape to Victory: great to see famous players acting & kicking the ball around. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at Sly Stallone’s involvement though.
Posted from
United States
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I think Stallone’s presence works. Especially because they don’t try and pretend he can play. That scene where he’s trying to play outfield in the practice (or was it tryouts?) and runs around like a headless chicken is one of my favourites.
Posted from
United States -
I liked the first Goal movie…but the next one was a travesty.
Also, the Game of Their Lives was alright, from a historical perspective. Also it shows the US beating the British, which is always nice.
Posted from
United States -
I have already “come out” on this to Daryl, but now I guess I need to confess to the world. My favorite footy movie? “Bend it Like Beckham.”
Posted from
United States -
I’ll go with Fever Pitch. The fact it’s not full of football for football’s sake is good. Plus it has proper actors, and Colin Firth. Plus, I still remember being allowed to stay up late and seeing that Michael Thomas goal
Posted from
United Kingdom -
Zidane, un portrait du 21e siècle
Posted from
United States -
I love Bend it Like Beckham, but one of my all time favs is a German movie called “Guys and Balls.” It is hysterical but with a heart of gold.
I also liked the Real Madrid movie – not so much for the actual part with the players, but for the vignettes.
Posted from
United States -
Some Escape to Victory Triva (from IMDB.com):
Sylvester Stallone initially received training from England’s World Cup winning goalkeeper, Gordon Banks. After only a few days of training Stallone dismissed Banks, saying that anybody could play in goal without trouble and he didn’t see what all the fuss was about. During filming however, Stallone constantly kept flinging himself about in an exaggerated acrobat-like manner and dislocated a shoulder, broke two ribs and received extensive bruises. Afterwards he admitted that he should have listened to Banks more carefully and commented that it was harder than fighting in the Rocky movies. Stallone also reportedly broke a finger trying to stop Pele from scoring a goal.Posted from
United States -
Big Green anyone?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_GreenOne of my favorites as a kid.
Posted from
United States -
Rudo y Cursi
Everything to do with soccer player’s downfall.
Posted from
Canada -
I know we’re not talking about documentaries, but I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve watch the 2006 world cup doc “The Grand Finale”. It’s more than just the “All the Goals of the … WC” movies however they do cut a tun of fairly important games out. I think its worth commenting on.
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United States -
Phorpa (The Cup). Filmed in Bhutan, I believe. Absolutely fantastic.
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United States -
I just saw it this summer when I was over in the UK, but I’m incredibly fond of ‘Looking for Eric’. Lovely film and anything with Cantona is gold.
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United States -
…And yes, yes add me to the “Bend It” fanlist. Jonathan Rhys Myers can coach me any day.
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United States -
Hana, I saw a random French film titled “La Vie Est A Nous!” where Cantona played the leader of a group of French lorry drivers who go on strike. Bizarrely, he had angel wings tattooed on his back, which he liked to flex. Decent film though.
Posted from
United States -
Hot Shot… no question.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkd9pNGWCQk&feature=related
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United States -
just last week i was reading up on the true story behind Escape to Victory. absolutely incredible:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_MatchPosted from
United States -
Mike Bassett_ England Manager I DETEST football but this film had me in stitches. Closely followed by Escape To Victory. Brilliant, even with Stallone in it.
Posted from
United Kingdom -
Without hesitation the greatest football film is Shaolin Soccer. Everything about it is worth watching in either the english audio or the subtitled versions. Absolutely brilliant.
Posted from
Canada
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