What’s Your Favourite Sports Bio-Pic Movie?
Posted by Darrenon 05. 01. 2011in News Chat
‘The Fighter’ has landed many accolades and Oscar buzz for Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. It’s landing in many best ten lists of the past year. Ahwatukee.com, which covers mostly sports, occasionally talks about sports in films. ‘The Fighter’ is not only given high marks, but they call it ‘one of the best athlete bio- pics ever made. It’s quite possible other reviewers and sites are walking along the same lines. I’m not going to quote the site, it’s only a film review itself. But it got me thinking, just for fun, what are the favorite bio-pics concerning a sports athlete?
It doesn’t have to be boxing, it could be football, baseball, or any sport. But it has to be around an individual, and not a team or coach.
“Invincible” which also starred Wahlberg, is one of my favorites. What’s yours?
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For a long time, it was the original Karate Kid with Ralph Macchio for me, that is, until I saw The Fighter, and that knocked The Karate Kid off the top of my list. So, it’s The Fighter now.
It’s hard for me to choose between Major League and Bull Durham. I guess it would be Major League.
Sorry, didn’t read the last part about “not being about a team”. I guess mine would have to be Rockey then.
That’s okay. Nobody seemed to read the highlighted part either.
Here’s a hint: Rocky is fictional.
Rudy was good
Rudy, Victory (not sure it qualifies), and John Goodmans Babe Ruth
Cobb was good but I don’t know much about baseball as Im from the UK.
I loved the Fighter, but it’s no Raging Bull. I don’t think any sports bio-pic is in the same class.
It is totally Raging Bull. When Bobby D was leaning agains the ropes all beat to hell and he looks at Sugar Ray and says “You didn’t knock me down Ray”
That was powerful, he was saying you may be the greatest boxer ever but you couldn’t break my spirit.
Agreed. It’s not even close. As far as sports biopics go, “Raging Bull” is the absolute best.
“Raging Bull” all the way. Great choice.
Without Limits (the story of Steve Prefontaine), Rudy, and Cindarella Man.
There were two of these, is Without Limts the one with Billy Crudup and Donald Sutherland? If so, that is the one I like better. Good call though, that was a great story.
I know Miracle is a team story, but still deserves mention.
The Fighter is really an amazing film, the story is good, the performances are special…
Kevin, Without Limits is the Billy Crudup one. The other one was called Prefontaine, with Jared Leto starring. It was ok – told the story, but I agree, Without Limits was far superior.
I like Miracle.
The WaterBoy (YES I understand all of the ways that it doesn’t fit but I still don’t care)
I enjoyed The Rookie starring Dennis Quaid, seeing a bloke fulfil his dreams of becoming a pro athlete at 35 (or whatever he was) still gives me hope!
The Blindside
Rudy & ALI…
You guys do know that Rudy is fiction, it is based loosly on facts but most of that didn’t happen.
Well, then The Fighter is fiction too, because Ward never got knocked down in the WBU title fight and Dicky Eklund didnt jump out a window every time someone knocked on the door…
hahaha! best comment ever regarding old Dicky… hahaha.
it may not be bio pic, but it does have alot of truth in it, my fav is any given sunday. it was real, intense, and had really good acting.
Greatest INDIVIDUAl sports biopic IMO is ALI. All-time greatest sports biopic is FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!!!!
Coach Carter
Cinderella Man was one of the best sports biopics I’ve seen. I’d have to mention Rudy, Without Limits, and for nostalgia purposes I would say Vision Quest with Matthew Modine. I have yet to see The Fighter and I am looking forward to it.
By far the best sports films are: 61*, about Roger Marris’ and Mickey Mantle’s chase of the Babe’s homerun record; and The Express, about Ernie Davis being the first black man to receive the Heisman trophy before losing a battle with cancer. And then of course every 30 for 30 film on ESPN this year was incredible.
I forgot about 61*, Jane and Pepper are total dopplegangers for their MLB counterparts and showed both mens flaws and qualities…great call.
I think its Charriots of Fire!
Joe and Max, I like that movie about Joe Louis vs Max Schmeling starring Leonard Roberts and Til Schweiger
Remember the Titans.
Most of the sport genre films out there have great qualities to them. I just watched “Secretariat” the other day and found it quite entertaining. Even though there are many “cliche” moments in the film and you know how it turns out, it kept my interest. I remind myself all the time that these films aren’t a solid biography but entertainment.
“Cinderella Man” was another great film. I could have used less Renee Zellweger but that’s just me. But Russell Crowe is awesome in it.
I thought “The Express” was done well but again, a few too many “cliche” moments in it for me. (I mean cliche as in the moment somebody does the traditional “point” at the opposing player or coach – yawn – that why I thought “Remember the Titans” was poorly done.)
You have to throw in there “Pride of the Yankees” as a pure sports fan. The movie reflects the filmmaking process at the time, but you have to overlook that to enjoy the subject matter.
Rudy, Hoosiers – Anspaugh and Pizzo do a great job with both of these. Lots of fun characters to root for. Sean Astin brought that role to the table. I’ll watch “Hoosiers” anytime it comes on. Dennis Hopper – please! Awesome.
“Seabiscuit” another horse movie done well. Toby McGuire raised the bar in it.
“The Natural” – Redford’s Best – IMO.
I’d like to throw Dennis Quaid’s name in there just for his films as a wonderful actor – “The Express” and “The Rookie”
I’ll quit my rambling on “Miracle”. Fun film to watch. Again, we know the outcome but it gives ya goosebumps. Kurt Russell was a pleasure to watch and the support of the actor’s busting their nuts to make the scenes look real added to the essence of the film.