For fun, I
wanted to countdown my all-time favorite sports/competition themed
documentaries. In all honesty, there are
not criteria to be eligible for my list outside of needing some type of
competition in the backdrop. Hopefully
you’ve seen them, but if not, I hope this provides you with an enjoyable list
if titles to check out.
Honorable Mention
Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs the New York Knicks – From ESPN’s exemplary 30 for 30 series, Winning Time documents the heated rivalry during the 1990’s between
Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller and the New York Knicks. As told through the eyes of Miller and many
of the key participants, it’s a fun look back at some of the more memorable
moments of the NBA during that era.
More Than A Game – The story of
LeBron James and his teammates as they journey through high school into
superstardom. It’s an amazingly crafted
piece that not only shows the evolution of an international icon, but also
shows what it is like to be in that shadow.
While LeBron jumps off the screen with his presence, it’s truly
enjoyable to watch how this group is one unit.
No one was bigger than the team and that team was the epitome of family.
It is a beautiful portrayal of sport, family, support and growth.
Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows – In the incredibly scripted world of
professional wrestling, this story documents the very real side of the
industry. Following 90’s superstar Bret
Hart, we see the struggle of a man grasping for integrity, while losing focus
on his reality. The story culminates in
the infamous “Montreal
Screwjob”, in which the script is thrown out the window by WWF CEO Vince
McMahon and chaos erupts. This is truly
an outstanding look into a world most often ridiculed, but needs to gain more
respect.
The U – Another entry into the 30 for 30 series, The U documents the rise and fall of the University of Miami’s
football team. Watching the team rise up
under Howard Schnellenberger, Jimmie Johnson and Dennis Erickson is fun, but
the meat of this story is the multitude of interviews by former players that
really tell the tale. For Miami fans, it
is a must see to enjoy to great moments.
For the Miami haters out there, it’s likely a great reminder of why you
hate them in the first place.
King
of Kong: A
Fistful of Quarters – Probably the most unlikely inclusion on my
list, King of Kong tells the story of
an everyday man trying to break the arcade scoring record on Donkey Kong. As simple of a story as it sounds, the characters
and twists involved are absolutely surreal.
It is truly like watching an alternate universe of humanity. Such an entertaining trek into an obscure
world.
Now on to
the top five favorites!
The ESPN 30 for 30 series set the bar for what
sports documentaries should be. The
stories have been so well crafted and exposed so many aspects of sport. The most intriguing and eye opening one, for
me, was Catching Hell. The story surrounds Game 6 of the 2003
National League Championship Series between the Florida Marlins and Chicago
Cubs. While that may not tip you off,
you may remember this game for the “Steve Bartman incident”. As the story goes, Steve Bartman possibly
interfered with a foul ball and started a chain of events that prevented the
Cubs from reaching the World Series.
There are
so many interesting stories in this film; ranging from other spectators in the
crowd to the security guard who assisted Bartman out of the stadium that
night. What struck me most during the
film was the usage of fan-made video from that night. We were placed right into the stands at
Wrigley Field that night and witnessed some of the more disturbing images of
that evening. The fan reaction, all
pointed at one individual, was shocking.
Sports are taken extremely serious in this country, and unfortunately,
that can be reflected in a negative way.
A bright light was shone on the ugly side of sports and really makes you
evaluate how you conduct yourself at these events. The mob mentality is a scary thing and is on
full display during the film.
The only
negative was the lack of Bartman himself.
However, he’s a man that has never come out to tell his story. Despite numerous attempts over the years
(including some very large monetary possibilities), he has never spoken out
about the events of that night. While I
mention it as a negative, I can’t help but respect the fact that he has stayed
true to himself and never capitalized on his fame…or infamy.
It’s no
secret that I am a fan of professional wrestling, and have been since I was a
kid. While it isn’t considered a
“sport”, the athleticism is undeniable.
The stories they tell, utilizing larger than life personalities, is
simply a fun escape from everyday life.
It’s something fathers and sons can bond over, which is something quite
meaningful to me as the proud father of a 3 year old son. Not long ago, Marshall walked downstairs to
see me watching WWE Monday Night Raw and saw the performer CM Punk. He paused for a second, looked at the TV and
back to me and said, “He has tattoos like you, Daddy. I like him.”
You can’t beat moments like that.
There are
millions of positive stories like that people can tell, but the greatness of Beyond the Mat lies in the storytelling
of men all in different stages of their careers. The story of New Jack, a hardcore performer
in the now defunct ECW, as he explores possibilities outside of wrestling. The heartwarming story of Mick Foley, whose
years of hard work has paid off to become one of the top draws of the
industry. The heartbreaking story of
Jake “The Snake” Roberts, who was working independent shows in small
towns. Broke, out of shape, drug
addicted and estranged from his family; his life is out of control and there
seems to be no hope in sight.
There are
so many images of this film that stand out, but nothing will resonate more than
watching Mick Foley’s family sit front row during one of his matches. It’s almost painful to watch his family as
they see the patriarch of their home bleed profusely after taking repeated steel
chair shots to the head.
The tears
are genuine. The pain is unbelievably
real. The warmth, passion and love for
family and business are unparalleled. In
an unreal world, we see the reality of what goes into their lives.
The best
stories can only be told by the people who experienced them. In Tyson,
legendary boxer Mike Tyson lets the world in on his history. Almost presented like an interview, Tyson
narrates his life growing up poor in a bad neighborhood all the way to the
heights of his fame and fortune.
Tyson
tells his story with such an understated energy. He’s not boasting, nor is he humble. He’s simply Mike Tyson and the stories he
tells are told in a “matter of fact” way.
That’s what makes this such an interesting watch. It’s not just a peek behind the curtain, it a
complete view behind the scenes of a man once considered the “Baddest Man on
the Planet”. By the end of the film, you
feel like you have watched Tyson grow and evolve as a person. He has learned some hard lessons; lessons
that seemingly beat him down, but in the end, couldn’t knock him out.
Redemption
stories are fun to watch, and when this was released, his complete story had
yet to be finished. Since the release,
he has appeared in the Hangover films
and made various appearances (including Broadway) making over his once
frighteningly rough exterior. Tyson is
the ultimate story of redemption. He had
it all, lost it all and is regaining the most important part…himself.
I grew up
a fan of mixed martial arts and, specifically, the UFC. When the first UFC event took place a stone’s
throw away from me, I was immediately hooked.
The basic premise was simple back then, which fighting style was the
best? Was it karate, jiu-jitsu,
wrestling, boxing, etc.? The UFC set out
to prove that, and would eventually evolve into the amazing combat sport it is
today.
The Smashing Machine tells the
story of Mark Kerr, a Division I wrestling champion who had taken the MMA world
by storm. He, along with film co-star
Mark Coleman, popularized the “ground and pound” style in which they took their
opponent down and brutalized them with fists and elbows. Kerr’s story is sad, though, as he struggled
with addictions that derailed his promising career.
The thing
that makes this film special is the dichotomy between Kerr and Coleman. Kerr seemingly relied on natural ability while
Coleman worked harder than others. Kerr
focused on a volatile relationship with his girlfriend while Coleman was happy
with his wife and daughters. Coleman’s
maturity burst through the screen while Kerr’s immaturity was shown in stark
contrast. These differences are never
clearer than in the last tournament they were to compete together. While Kerr’s life seems to collapse around
him, Coleman’s thrives.
The stark
differences between these two competitors shine during the film. That’s what really stands out during the
film. Kerr struggles through addictions
and his life, which while sad, are an indicator that not all elite athletes
possess the internal drive it takes to be a champion. Physical gifts can only take you so far. The mental make-up of athletes is almost more
important, and it is on full display in The
Smashing Machine.
I can’t
recall being moved by a film as much as I was for Murderball, the story of the United States Paralympic rugby
team. Wheelchair rugby is a full-contact
sport, specially designed for competitors with disabilities. The sport itself is covered and central to the
film, and is clearly an intense competition.
However, the sport is simply a backdrop for the amazing stories of the
participants themselves.
When
seeing someone confined to a wheelchair, the regular reaction is one of
sympathy; almost a pity of what that individual has to go through. This film takes that feeling, that
stereotype, and shatters it. There’s no
pity needed. These are just regular people,
living their life in an extraordinary way.
You get to watch them interact as a team, interact with their rivals and
overcome adversities.
The
greatest aspect of this film is getting to know the players as people off the
court. You get to take a journey with
them and understand why they are who they are.
The most recognizable of the group is Mark Zupan;
the outspoken, tattooed breakout star of the film. Zupan is wheelchair bound due to an
automobile accident from when he was in college. While passed out in the back of the truck,
his friend behind the wheel got into the accident that threw Zupan from the bed
of the truck. During the film you see
the two of them together, although there is distance between them that comes
through the screen. Watching them
together during the Paralympics is so powerful, as the feeling of forgiveness
and acceptance radiates through.
The film
also contains the story of a man recently injured and wheelchair bound. While attempting to cope with everything and
the changes his life is faced with, he discovers wheelchair rugby. As low and defeated as he seems, you can see
the light in his head pop on the moment he gets in the custom rugby chair. You can see his journey has just started, but
that simple chair pushes him in a better direction.
I hope you
take the chance on these films, if you haven’t had the chance previously. They encompass the joy of sport, but moreover,
the power of the human spirit. They
display resilience, pain and obstacles that need overcome. No matter what the reason you watch, I just
know inspiration is right around the corner.
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