The Game of Their Lives
The legendary true story of "The Miracle Match"
In the spring of 1950, the United States was extended an invitation to compete in the World Cup in Brazil. Faced with budgetary restrictions and no official soccer team to call their own, they set out to recruit players in the soccer hotbed of St. Louis, Missouri, where they found a group of young friends with no professional or international playing experience, only an unabashed love of the game. Leaving behind their wives, girlfriends and families for New York for a short 10-day training period in which these young men from different races and religious backgrounds were forced to see past their differences to become a team. With the odds against them both abroad and at home, the newly formed U.S. soccer team arrived in Rio with little hope. But with fate on their side, they worked together and played The Game of Their Lives, resulting in one of the greatest moments in the sport's history.
Member Reviews
Great subject, bad movie - Akhar
This is a very disappointing movie, especially since it is such a great subject. The underdog team comes out of nowhere and surprises the world at the most popular sport on the planet, winning the 1950 World Cup. Unfortunately, the movie itself is a disappointing "paint-by-numbers" telling of the tale, complete with inaccuracies/fictional additions that add nothing to the plot.nees more - Starcat
For a 'feel-good' type of movie, this fell short of the mark. It's an interesting story but it doesn't go deep enough. The narration is actually more reflective and inspiring than how the actors portray the characters. You are introduced to these character through the narrator but you don't really learn much about them. The movie just skims the surface. A bit disappointing actually.I've Seen This Movie Before ... Only Better ... - TheShamus
"The Game of Their Lives" is a story about American soccer. The director, David Anspaugh, is responsible for such "feel good" sports movies as "Rudy" (American football) and "Hoosiers" (basketball).
The film revolves around a game in Brazil in the 1950 featuring Britain (one of the best teams in the world) and America (who had lost a short time before to a team of British players who could not beat the national team).
This movie has a lot going against it. First, soccer is not a very popular sport in the US. Secondly, this movie is extremely formulic -- especially when you figure this director has already made two similar movies (and is currently making another).
"The Game of Their Lives" is not a bad movie -- but there are better movies about the same thing (except with a basketball, a football, a hockey stick or a baseball). You don't have to be a soccer fan to enjoy the movie ... but even soccer fans might find the actual play on the field less than spectacular.
I couldn't find much about what happened to the players after this movie. The extras were some of the most "lack lustre" I have seen. As far as box office, this one went down worse than a lead balloon.
This movie has heady aspirations ... but never acheives them. Still, it's a passable movie overall.
/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\
Member Reviews
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Great subject, bad movie - Akhar
This is a very disappointing movie, especially since it is such a great subject. The underdog team comes out of nowhere and surprises the world at the most popular sport on the planet, winning the 1950 World Cup. Unfortunately, the movie itself is a disappointing ...nees more - Starcat
For a 'feel-good' type of movie, this fell short of the mark. It's an interesting story but it doesn't go deep enough. The narration is actually more reflective and inspiring than how the actors portray the characters. You are introduced to these character ...I've Seen This Movie Before ... Only Better ... - TheShamus
"The Game of Their Lives" is a story about American soccer. The director, David Anspaugh, is responsible for such "feel good" sports movies as "Rudy" (American football) and "Hoosiers" (basketball).
The film revolves around a game in Brazil in the ...