The SPORTS Documentary Thread

Following on from the thread in the Langers forum..

There are some real Gems out there..

Post your links to the best Sports documentarys online with a few words about it.

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Assault in the Ring

http://documentaryheaven.com/assault-in-the-ring/


Assault In the Ring revisits a boxing scandal considered one of the sport’s darkest hours, and traces a man’s despairing journey following his alleged involvement in a criminal plot. The documentary examines new evidence about this boxing match turned 30-minute assault, and reveals much more about the pre-fight activities of Luis Resto, his trainer Panama Lewis and the athletic commission representatives.

On June 16, 1983, undefeated prizefighter Billy Collins Jr. set out to fulfill every boxer’s dream of fighting in the world’s most famous arena – Madison Square Garden. Collins’ opponent, Luis Resto of the Bronx, moving up from welterweight, had his own dream of rising to the occasion in front of hometown fans. But what began as a match that Nashville native Collins was favored to win changed both athletes’ lives – ending Collins’ career dreams and landing Resto in prison.

Resto seemingly reached a fighter’s ultimate goal by upsetting Collins, but his post-fight victory celebration was short-lived when it was discovered that the padding had been illegally removed from Resto’s gloves by his trainer, Panama Lewis, before the fight. Resto was subsequently incarcerated and banned from the sport, while the brutally beaten Collins went into a tragic downward spiral.

Resto gives his account of the story in the documentary. Lewis, whose official career as a trainer came to an end that night, was also subsequently banned, and speaks for the first time in Assault In The Ring about the events of the fight and their impact.
 
Hoop Dreams


http://documentaryheaven.com/hoop-dreams/


Hoop Dreams is a 1994 documentary film directed by Steve James. It follows the story of two black high school students in Chicago and their dream of becoming professional basketball players.

Originally intended to be a 30-minute short produced for the Public Broadcasting Service, it eventually led to five years of filming and 250 hours of footage. It premiered at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary. Despite its length (171 minutes) and unlikely commercial genre, it received high critical and popular acclaim. It was on more critics’ top ten lists than any other film that year, including Pulp Fiction, Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, Heavenly Creatures and Quiz Show.

As of July 1, 2008 it had earned over $7.8 million, making it the tenth-highest-grossing documentary film in the United States (in nominal dollars, from 1982 to the present)

The film follows William Gates and Arthur Agee, two African-American teenagers who are recruited by St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, a predominantly white high school with an outstanding basketball program. Taking 90-minute commutes to school, enduring long and difficult workouts and practices, and acclimating to a foreign social environment, Gates and Agee struggle to improve their athletic skills in a job market with heavy competition. Along the way, their families celebrate their successes and support each other during times of hardship.

The film raises a number of issues concerning race, class, economic division, education and values in contemporary America. It also offers one of the most intimate views of inner-city life to be captured on film. Yet it is also the human story of two young men, their two families and their community, and the joys and struggles they live through over a period of five years.
 
When we were Kings


http://documentaryheaven.com/when-we-were-kings/


Believe the hype. This much-praised documentary about one of the most famous boxing matches in history deserves every one of its accolades. Blending sports drama and biography with a touch of political analysis, When We Were Kings relates the who, when, where, and most importantly the why of the 1974 George Foreman/Muhammad Ali world championship fight in Zaire.

Splicing together old news footage, photos, and contemporary interview clips, director Leon Gast captures the excitement and chaos that led up to the famed “Rumble in the Jungle” and the incredible characters and events surrounding the thrilling bout.

The documentary explores a gamut of issues that defined the 1970s and impacted the African-American community: the Vietnam War and the draft, the nascent “Black is Beautiful” movement and idealization of Mother Africa, and the brutal reality of post-colonial dictatorships. But it is the charismatic and bombastic Muhammad Ali at the center of it all who steals the show with the sheer force of his inimitable personality. When We Were Kings reminds us why…
 
The 30 for 30 series currently running on ESPN has made for some great watching over the last few months

Standouts have been Winning Time



and The Two Escobars

 
Heard a piece about 'Next Goal Wins' on 2fm a while ago. It's about a Dutch coach Tom Rongen who goes to American Samoa to take over their national soccer team. Rock bottom of FIFA world rankings and renowned for their 31-0 loss in a previous World Cup qualifier v Australia it's a monumental task ahead for the coach.

He came across an interesting character and he also has the unique situation of having a transgender centre half as one of his best players.

It's getting good reviews, might be worth a watch.
 
Heard a piece about 'Next Goal Wins' on 2fm a while ago. It's about a Dutch coach Tom Rongen who goes to American Samoa to take over their national soccer team. Rock bottom of FIFA world rankings and renowned for their 31-0 loss in a previous World Cup qualifier v Australia it's a monumental task ahead for the coach.

He came across an interesting character and he also has the unique situation of having a transgender centre half as one of his best players.

It's getting good reviews, might be worth a watch.

Saw this last week - good show, if a little bit predictable and drawn out at times. The goalkeeper who played in that match against Australia is a fascinating character. I thought it would be a bit jokier than it was - it went for a more emotional line. (Though the bit with one coach telling the team in all seriousness after another heavy defeat 'They needed to score eight, you only let in seven, that's a step forward' is classic.)

In a similar vein but with more bizarre incidents is 'Coach Zoran and his African Tigers' - it was shown on Storyville a few months ago, it's about a Serbian coach managing the South Sudan national team. Not a good side by any means, but I'd fancy them to take care of American Samoa...
 
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