American Football movies [Archive]

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Bearhorn

18-03-2003, 10:39

Given the recent interest and discussions in the Sports Forum first about the NFL season and later about the Super Bowl I thought it might be interesting to start this thread to see if anyone has any recommendations on films on DVD featuring American Football (hopefully those who frequent the sports forum also frequent the DVD forum) :)

So far I have seen the following:

Any Given Sunday probably the 'hardest hitting' giving the truest reflection of what the sport is really like but uses and abuses every sporting cliché in the book. Great football action but those derisible uniforms spoil the whole thing. And as for that 'eye popping' scene :gag:

Remember the Titans from what I remember, not a whole lot of football action, but an inspiring story nonetheless.

The Replacements bit of a guilty pleasure this one, again very clichéd but probably the best football action put to film, certainly better in some respects than Any Given Sunday. And John Madden/Pat Summerall... :notworthy

Varsity Blues James 'Dawson's Creek' van der Beek in an enjoyable enough teen romp through high school football made all the more enjoyable by the utterly gorgeous Ali Larter.

Jerry McGuire show me the money!

Are there any others that people can recommend (and no, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective whilst featuring Dan Marino :notworthy and the Miami Dolphins doesn't really count)?

Davet1

18-03-2003, 10:48

The best American fb movie is David Anspaugh's little-known film Rudy, the true story of a short, dyslexic kid from a steel town who's only dream in life is to play college football for Notre Dame University. It's never had a UK release but the R1 DVD is OK, a bit light on the extras but worth it for the film.

Sean Astin (LOTR) plays Rudy Ruettiger supported by an excellent cast including Jon Favreau, Ned Beatty, Charles S. Dutton, Lili Taylor, Robert Prosky, Jason Miller and Vince Vaughn. The score by Jerry Goldsmith is one of the finest pieces of music ever composed for film.

Ragnar

18-03-2003, 11:08

"Necassary Roughness" with Scott Bakula
&
"Wildcats" with Goldie Hawn.

Rollocop

18-03-2003, 11:13

The Longest Yard (aka The Mean Machine) is worth a watch :thumbs:

Mike

18-03-2003, 11:24

Seconded on The Longest Yard - Aldrich and Reynolds both on peak form, a very funny and satirical script and superb editing of the climactic football game.

North Dallas Forty is tremendously powerful with a great performance from Nick Nolte as an ageing football star.

I personally thought Rudy was lachrymose nonsense and a big comedown from Best Shot. Nice score though.

mr_woo

18-03-2003, 12:14

Originally posted by Mike
Seconded on The Longest Yard - Aldrich and Reynolds both on peak form, a very funny and satirical script and superb editing of the climactic football game.

I think I broke his ******* neck! :lol: :lol:

MrSpeed

18-03-2003, 13:51

There is a great movie (true story) about a Detroit Lions player but I cann't remember the title :rolleyes: :brickwall

White Pony

18-03-2003, 15:33

Mean Machine with Burt Reynolds... quality film !

gZa

18-03-2003, 16:14

I've heard good things about The Program (http://us.imdb.com/Title?0107889) anyone here seen it?

desmondc

18-03-2003, 16:53

Classic (American) Football Movies (http://classicfilm.about.com/library/weekly/aa090201a.htm) :)

charlie angel

18-03-2003, 16:55

The Last Boy Scout - does that count?

Well I like it anyway...

Bearhorn

18-03-2003, 18:28

Thank you for all the recommendations, keep them coming. Through desmondc's fantastic link :thumbs: I found this all-time football movies (http://classicfilm.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.sandlotshrink.com/moviefb.htm). Now to find out how many of these are out on DVD!

:)

Bearhorn

18-03-2003, 18:30

Originally posted by MrSpeed
There is a great movie (true story) about a Detroit Lions player but I cann't remember the title :rolleyes: :brickwall

That would be Paper Lion based on the book by George Plimpton which (along with Kenny Stabler's book 'Snake') is one of the finest American Football books written. :)

Bearhorn

09-05-2003, 11:37

I recently watched Rudy on the recommendation of Davet1 :thumbs: and have to admit that while a good film, it was actually the extras on the DVD which were more inspiring as they had interviews with the titular Rudy (Ruettiger) himself.

Even after all those years, the guy was in tears during the documentary when he remembered the day he 'dressed' and led the Fighting Irish onto the field 'Rudy - Rudy - Rudy...'

Whilst probably an average film in terms of football action, there is no denying its quality to inspire even if it is a little lachrymose and saccharine in places :)

zorgy

09-05-2003, 20:46

Not sure it's available on DVD, but their is a little know movie call "The Best of Times" with Robin Williams and Kurt Russell.

Also you could add "All the Right Moves" with Tom Cruise.

kjn6371

09-05-2003, 21:38

Brian's Song about the Bears Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers.

Got to agree with Snake being a brilliant book.

Herbal

13-09-2007, 12:18

After watching Friday Night Lights (Tv show) as now in the whole NFL thing, and as i got 3 months off work on the sick need some things to do.

So looking for some more recomendations if thats possible?

zantarous

13-09-2007, 12:21

"Necassary Roughness" with Scott Bakula

That has to be my favourite American Football movie.

ohood

13-09-2007, 15:27

There is a bit of American Football in Not Another Teen Movie... :)

Soprano

13-09-2007, 15:29

Heaven Can Wait.

good ghostly fun

Bearhorn

13-09-2007, 15:41

Four more that I have seen recently to add to my original five year old list:

Gridiron Gang - don't let The Rock put you off, this is very good.

We Are Marshall - quite an inspiring tale about the Marshall college football team tragedy.

The Longest Yard/Mean Machine - Adam Sandler/Chris Rock remake.

Friday Night Lights - movie from which the TV series was spawned.

robzinski

13-09-2007, 20:01

S1LVERBACK

13-09-2007, 20:42

i know its not a film but playmakers was a hell of a series when it was on.i had to pick up the boxset as no more ever got made.considering there isnt a great deal of american football in it the series worked amazingly well.any given sunday and mean machine are excellent.

Brad123

13-09-2007, 20:52

Recent one i enjoyed was Invincible with Mark Whalberg.

robzinski

01-11-2007, 23:40

Just watched We Are Marshall. Had me welling up a fair few times. Brilliantly shot film. Well worth seeing.

unrealnils

05-11-2007, 04:23

watch friday night lights the tv show its cool , i loved any given sunday too :notworthy

cervaro

05-11-2007, 06:32

The Last Boy Scout - does that count?

Well I like it anyway...

I've always liked that movie. First time I saw Halle Berry on screen too. :)

SIMON ADEBISI

05-11-2007, 07:12

Rudy was a good one.

Any Given Sunday is great craic as well.

welshmatt

05-11-2007, 09:55

koe_182

05-11-2007, 11:15

Varsity Blues is quality if you havent seen that.

ian turner

05-11-2007, 18:38

Debbie does Dallas ? :D

robzinski

26-11-2007, 22:02

Just watched Invincible. Was alright, and the football bits seemed well done, but it just lacked that something

J Wedd

26-11-2007, 23:49

Last Boy Scout is a cracker, particularly that opening scene. Most downright nihilistic action movie ever made (at least up until the ending), and Bruce's best dialogue.
Any Given Sunday is great, Oliver Stone at his correct level maybe, and that one with Nick Nolte always looked interesting to me, even if I've never seen it all.
I always find it pretty ironic that American Football is made to look so thrilling in the movies, and has great movies made about it, while 'soccer' has so many naff films made about it, and is made to look as dull as ditchwater, when in real life, its pretty much the other way around. Sometimes. Well, soccer can be exciting, sometimes. I'm not a huge fan of either, really.:thinking: