Top 10 Sports Films of All Time

I was travelling this week in the car and on BBC Radio 1 they had a poll of the top ten sports films of all time. There was much debate with this subject so I thought the best way to settle it would be to give filmchair.com a side to the story. You may not have heard of some (but I doubt it), you may not like some or agree with the choices below, but here are my top 10.

Just a little pre warning, some of the videos are a little long.

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10. Tin Cup

A lackadaisical one-time golf pro, now operating a run-down driving range in Texas, gets his competitive juices flowing again when a slick former colleague shows up and asks him to be his–gasp!–caddie. Not only will the washed-up hacker not deign to be a caddie, he falls for and ultimately seduces the pro’s beautiful psychologist girlfriend and launches a motivated bid for the U.S. Open.

What makes it good?

Made way back in the day when a Costner film was watchable (pre-waterworld) this film is a an all round feel good movie. With just subtle amount of cameos from the right people, and not too much of the sports action which can over power some films which may appear later.

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9 Young Blood

Dean Youngblood (Rob Lowe), a sensitive young farm boy, leaves behind a humdrum life on his father’s farm to fulfill his dream, and that of his blind brother, of becoming a star of the skates and stick in the ice hockey team. As he gets the stuffing kicked out of him in the first games and practices, he learns he will need more than ambition and confidence to prove himself in this cold-hearted arena.

He soon falls in love with the daughter of his no-nonsense coach, which lies at odds with the fighting which is a necessity in the sport for him to be noticed by professional hockey scouts. He believes he has what it takes to make it in the no-excuses world of professional ice hockey. YOUNGBLOOD also features a mulleted Patrick Swayze and an early appearance from Keanu Reeves.

What makes it good?

Simply put this was my first experience of Ice Hockey. It was violent, the guy gets a hot chick and it was a 15 and I was 8 so it made it totally cool. The other thing that helped me through my entire school life was the fact the hot girl cleverly hid a radio in her ear in class, who says films can not teach you anything.

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8. Remember the Titans

While on the surface, American high school football may seem like an innocent game played by the young, for the young, it is, in fact, much, much more. For millions, including many fans who are well removed from their high school years but who love to sit in those creaky bleachers every Friday night or Saturday morning, it is something akin to a religion.

Director Boaz Yakin’s REMEMBER THE TITANS captures the heart of the sport while tackling the sins of its fathers, chronicling the true story of the undefeated 1971 T.C. Williams team of Alexandria, Virginia, which was the first integrated high school team in the state.

Why makes it good?

For some reason, and I think it is becuase I have never experinced it but I am always fasinated by the end of the racial era in the US. Also This film is stolen by a strong performance by Washington, great moments such as the players dancing onto the pitch and it also features a great introduction to My Name is Earl’s Brother.

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7. Cool Runnings

Inspired by the true story of the first Jamaican Olympic Bobsled Team. The always appealing Candy is the ex-champion who takes on the four islanders who know nothing about the sport and whips them into champions.

Why is it good?

Well one of the last funny films to get the full experince and talent of John Candy (I think Canadian Bacon was his last one?). Based a little losely on a true story, this film gives amazing moments, and has probably taught a generation how to count to 3 in German…eins…zwei …drei!

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6. Jerry Maguire

Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise), a slick, high-living sports agent, is tired of the shallowness of his profession and wants to live a more fulfilling, ethical life. But Jerry’s new outlook doesn’t mesh with his agency’s ethics, and he is promptly fired. Jerry finds himself left with one ally, one client, and a long road ahead of him. Along the way he finds something more important than money-love.

Why is it good?

Simple put, it has cool lines, hot woman and Tom Cruise as the Ari Gold of the sports world.

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5.We Are Marshall

“We Are Marshall” tells an inspiring true story set in Huntingdon, West Virginia, a small town steeped in the rich tradition of college football. For decades, players, coaches, fans and families have come together to cheer on Marshall University’s “Thunder Herd.” For this team and this community, Marshall football is more than just a sport, it’s a way of life. But on a fateful night in 1970, while traveling back to Huntingdon after a game in North Carolina, 75 members of Marshall’s football team and coaching staff were killed in a plane crash.

As those left behind struggled to cope with the devastating loss of their loved ones, the grieving families found hope and strength in the leadership of Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey), a young coach who was determined to rebuild Marshall’s football program and, in the process, helped to heal a community.

Why is it good?

They started as a talented footballing college, then they all died. Many people in the town were against them starting up again to play ball, the people who ran the league were against it. But the spirit breaks through and you feel for each and every one of them. An inspiring true story told in an impressive way by McG.

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4. The Mighty Ducks.

A trial lawyer forced to do community service finds himself training a hockey team.

Why is it good?

Probably the best film Emilio Estevez has ever been in, it a family fun film which has inspired me to try and play with a flying V in every sport apart from cricket.

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3. Any Given Sunday

Oliver Stone’s hard-hitting look at the adrenaline-fueled world of pro football stars Al Pacino as Miama Sharks coach Tony D’Amato. Having just lost his star quarterback, Jack Rooney (Dennis Quaid), he’s forced to use the erratic Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx) off the bench, hoping he can resuscitate his team, which is floundering on the field and in attendance figures. If not, Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz), the team’s new owner, may be drop-kicking him to a new destination.

Why is it good?

Pacino has an ability to create lovable rouges in any film he is in, take The Godfather. But here he does so much more, and does not get half of the credit. Countless teams in any sport play this movie to get inspired for big games on the coach to the ground. Jamie Fox plays the big shot, and then just to top it off the lovely Diaz dazzels as the franchise owner. Perfect.

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2. Escape to Victory

A number of Allied prisoners of war are manipulated into playing in a propaganda soccer match against the German National team in Paris. From there they plan their escape.

Why is it good?

Putting some of the greatest players to play the game on a pitch together will never not lead to greatness. Unfortunatly peter Shiltern was busy, Gordan Banks was probably still playing during filming, and to make it commercialy attractive they needed a yank, so Stallone is in goal. As war movies go it is not the best, but combined with the greatest game ever played, well take a look…

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1. Rocky

Director John G. Avildsen’s ROCKY is the stand-up-and-cheer saga of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), an underdog boxer who gets his million-to-one shot at love, self-respect, and the world heavyweight title. Rocky is a down-on-his-luck Philadelphia southpaw who works at a meat-packing factory while fighting at a local club. He’s given the chance of a lifetime when the world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), chooses him as an unlikely opponent in his championship bicentennial fight.

What was originally planned as a publicity stunt becomes a chance for Rocky to prove himself as a prizefighter while training with his cantankerous manager, Mickey, to rise to the challenge. Thrilling scenes of Rocky’s arduous training, including his unforgettable run up the Philadelphia Art Museum steps, are interspersed with a sweet and touching love story between the fighter and his best friend’s shy sister, Adrian. With the love of Adrian on his side, Rocky struggles to overcome the odds, fighting with all his heart in the glorious and brutal finale.

Why is it good?

Not only did it win the hearts of everyone that has seen it, it won a little golden statue reserved for the very best, an Oscar. Stallone will never be better then the character he developed as The Italian Stallion, The Champ, Rocco “Rocky” Balboa, Sr.

Having everything from stupid pick up lines, the creation (unconfirmed) of the ‘Montage’ and a score that will set the hair on the back of your neck on fire, this is truly The Undisputed, Undefeated Heavy Weight Champion of the World of Sports Movies.

~Feature by Alex (Filmchair would like to point out that this list isn’t necessarily the opinion of everyone at the site.  I mean The Mighty Ducks?!? What is this guy on?)