Movies about Sports – do they work? Not always; most of them fail to capture the spontaneity, grace and passion that fans enjoy. But here are four films that not only reflect the glory of the sports involved, but also the behind-the-scenes, joys, sorrows, sacrifices and political machinations surrounding the athletes in their obsessions to be the Best - Darwin’s Theory of Evolution in motion.
Grand Prix (1966, Dir: John Frankenheimer)
Formula One Racing has the one true racing pedigree, surviving in one form or another for over half-a-century. This Academy Award winning film centres on four F-1 drivers through a fictionalized version of the 1966 season. Originally shown in 70mm Cinerama and filmed on location at actual races, the ensemble cast reflects the international spirit of this form of racing including: James Garner (U.S.), Brian Bedford (U.K./Canada), Toshiro Mifune (Japan), Yves Montand (France). Look out for cameos from some of the greatest F-1 drivers of the period, such as Graham Hill, Bruce McLaren, Jim Clark and Jack Brabham.
Chariots of Fire (1981, Dir: Hugh Hudson)
Winning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, this movie has one of the most memorable beginnings ever filmed and a truly unforgetable soundtrack. Based on the true lives of two British runners, Cambridge undergrad Abrahams (Ben Cross) and Scottish Missionary Liddle (Ian Charleston), each facing their own challenges; Abrahams fights a chip on his shoulder from recurring religious and class prejudice, and Liddle ponders whether his passion for running may be keeping him from ‘the Lord’s work’. Both runners earn a place on the 1924 British Olympic Team, competing in Paris, and Abrahams longs for a chance to avenge his defeat by Liddle in earlier race. Fate however may intervene, as Liddle finds his religious principles clash with what others see as his patriotic duty.
Rudy (1993, Dir: David Anspaugh)
Long before he went on his epic adventure alongside Frodo, Sean Astin took the title role of this college football film. Based on a true story, Rudy Ruettiger comes from a blue-collar family of steel workers, but dreams of playing football for Notre Dame. Rudy gets accepted to a minor college, leaving home with a heartfelt but disappointing warning from his father (Ned Beatty) that ‘Ruettigers don't belong at college’. When Rudy’s tenacity - and some luck - finally gets him into Notre Dame, he defiantly tries out for the legendary football team, demonstrating just what ‘Fighting Irish’ really means.
The Hustler (1961, Dir: Robert Rossen)
Paul Newman stars as ‘Fast Eddie’ Felson, a small-time hustling pool shark, emphatically trounced by the great ‘Minnesota Fats’ (Jackie Gleason). Now broke, he encounters the fragile Sarah (Piper Laurie) in the café at the bus terminal. The couple begin a hesitant affair as she nurses him after an attack by thugs. Abandoning both Sarah and his long-time manager, Eddie signs on with a sleazy new agent (George C. Scott in only his third film role). Eddie finally gets another shot at Minnesota Fats, but at just what cost? Giving a truly classy performance, Gleason, T.V.’s premiere funnyman at the time, did all his own pool-playing (Newman needed a ‘technical advisor’ for his trick shots).
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