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When it comes to the world of Hollywood, sporting films can either be a trophy winning spectacular or relegation worthy flop and with many an attempt at capturing victory or despair over the years, it is fair to say that the results have been somewhat mixed.
Although sports and odds are big business, Hollywood is even bigger and although every top director will feel that their next offering is going to be an award-winning one, that is not always the case.
However, that is not to say that every attempt at sporting cinematic glory has been a total bust either and in our latest article, we are now going to run through some of the best offerings that have won big at the box office.
Escape To Victory
When it comes to sporting films and football ones in particular, the beautiful game is an incredibly hard story to replicate on the big screen and where some have been candidates for the sack (Goal 3 anyone?), others have definitely deserved a shot at glory.
One of those is undoubtedly the 1980’s flick ‘Escape of Victory’ and with the legendary Michael Caine being supported by a litany of contemporary world-class stars – a list that included FIFA World Cup winner Pele, this World War 2 story is as good as they come.
With Caine and his newfound footballing cohorts, finding themselves in a German Prisoner of War camp, the obvious plotline would be one that sees them attempt an escape from their unforgiving quarters.
While that in itself is not a million miles from the actual plot, there is a neat twist and one that sees a ragtag bunch of prisoners take on the German guards themselves and without spoiling the end of the film, if you have not seen this, then you are really missing out.
The Longest Yard
It does seem that prison and an element of sport do seem to make the best movies and although ‘The Mean Machine’ was a British take on such a central theme, it is arguably ‘The Longest Yard’ which does it better.
With the football being that of its American cousin, Adam Sandler (or Burt Reynolds if you want to watch the original – although Reynolds himself does play a considerable part in the reboot) finds himself in jail after being arrested for a drink drive offence.
In a similar guise to ‘Escape To Victory’, Sandler is offered the chance to go up against the guards in a game of Gridiron and with an ensemble cast including ex-WWE wrestlers Steve Austin, Kevin Nash and The Great Khali, this bone crushing film is not one to be missed.
Rocky
Arguably the greatest sporting movie franchise of all-time, Sylvester Stallone’s tales as Rocky Balboa have gripped cinematic audiences for decades and with the Hollywood megastar showing his pugilistic prowess, he has undoubtedly been a knockout at the box office.
The pinnacle of the franchise was perhaps Rocky IV in 1985 and with the Soviet Union’s Ivan Drago (played by Dolph Lundgren) looking to claim heavyweight gold for himself, this was nothing short of shameless American Cold War propaganda.
Admittedly the franchise dipped with the release of Rocky V back in 1990 and although it was a weak showing from Stallone and his usual cast of supporting acts, it thankfully was not the last time he would find himself in the ring.
That’s because a sixth offering came around in 2006, with the Rocky Balboa film and after a mesmerizing comeback off the canvas, its success has subsequently spawned the “Creed” series of boxing films.
Happy Gilmore
Once again Adam Sandler makes the list and, in this film, the legendary comedy actor manages to turn the rather sterile world of golf on its head. While in doing so, makes both fans and enemies in equal measures.
With Sandler playing the lead role of Gilmore himself, he is stunned by the prospect of his grandma’s house going up for auction and with no funds to buy it for himself, he takes his anger out on a golf ball or two.
A chance encounter which sees Happy then join the PGA Golf tour and with his raw talent soon being converted into prize money, the chance to buy his grandma’s home is one that appears tantalisingly in this distance.
However, standing in his way is none other than Shooter McGavin and with every sporting film needing both a hero and a villain, it is fair to say that Christopher McDonald’s turn is one of the most villainous yet.
A feelgood sporting film that is always worth a watch on a rainy day and not only is it worthy of being on this list, but it is also worthy of being placed within the pantheon of all-time great comedy screenings.
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