If you love sports, chances are that sports movies make you more emotional than romantic films. Personally, each time I watch the highlights of the 6 NationsI can’t help myself from feeling a wave of varying emotions and nostalgia rushing up on me. If you are anything like that, you just can’t miss out on these four movies, which are arguably some of the best work ever done on the silver screen when it comes to the sports genre.
Rocky (1976)
It won three Oscars in total, including the Best Picture Award in the 1977, and is widely considered to be the best movie in the series. This underdog drama perfectly portrayed the life of a broke, beaten-down boxer who is almost at the end of his career, but is up for one last unlikely chance at the World Heavyweight Title. Even before Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa) and Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed) got into the ring for the fight, we were in love with the movie and all that it stood for.
Caddyshack (1980)
This may not be the most realistic golf movie ever made, but the huge cult following that it has generated ever since coming onto the scene in 1980, confirms that it is by far the most enjoyable one. You will see Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, Ted Knight and Chevy Chase in some of their most iconic slapstick roles, supplemented with an appropriate dose of one-liners, immortal gophers, and of course weed.
Senna (2010)
Ayrton Senna of Brazil was one of the most popular faces in Formula One racing from the eighties, right until right up to the day he died at the San Marino Grand Prix on 1 May 1994. This legendary driver is portrayed by the brilliant filmmaker Asif Kapadia through actual footage from homemade videos, press conferences, and off-screen interviews. Going beyond the usual realms of hero worship, the documentary is an emotional journey through the various stages of Senna’s life and career.
Invictus (2009)
Clint Eastwood is arguably an even better director than an actor as he has shown us time and again. Powered by stars like Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, Invictus is quite possibly the best rugby movie ever made. Eastwood uses the extremely detailed narrative to portray how Nelson Mandela actually used the first racially-mixed South African Rugby team’s victory in the Rugby World Cup in 1995 to unite the South African people as one nation. If you are a fan of the sport, you will love how much of a stress the filmmakers put on portraying rugby as the physically demanding and gruelling sport that it really is.
Honourable mentions include When We Were Kings (1996), Murderball (2005), The Wrestler (2008), The Natural (1984), Any Given Sunday (1999), Miracle (2004) and Victory (1981). Keep in mind that the list wasn’t created in any particular order so you can place any of these on top, depending on your personal preference.
James Daniels is a freelance writer, business enthusiast, a bit of a tech buff, and an overall geek. He is also an avid reader, who can while away hours reading and knowing about the latest gadgets and tech, whilst offering views and opinions on these topics. jdwrites93@gmail.com
