JOE takes a look at some of our favourite football films of all time

Just like Newcastle in the ’96 season, here’s the perfect mix of the good, the bad and the ugly…

To celebrate the launch of FIFA 15, JOE has decided to take a walk down memory lane and look at five films that all have one thing in common: Football.

The beautiful game hasn’t always been easy to translate onto the big screen, but some films have hit the target with Cristiano Ronaldo-like precision, while others have missed it worse than Emile Heskey.

Here are some of our favourites…

Escape to Victory

The daddy of all football films and the benchmark to which other entries in the genre should be measured against.

The John Huston-directed film tells the tale of a team of Allied POWs offered a chance of freedom if they can beat the Nazis in an exhibition match, and it provides some of the most accurate scenes of football in film.

Michael Caine looks like he can actually pass the ball, while the presence of footballing legends like Pele, Bobby Moore and Ossie Ardiles gives the film a sense of footballing authenticity. John Wark’s moustache is amazing also.

Even Sylvester Stallone’s best attempts to look like Massimo Taibi doesn’t detract from a pulsating, propaganda-destroying 4-4 draw in Paris.

Apparently Sly asked the director to allow him to score the last-minute winner and not Pele; we’re certain that Rocky himself is more talented than one of the world’s greatest ever footballers.

Clip via – Old School Trailers

The Damned United

Brian Clough is so beloved and revered throughout the world of football that the task of playing him must have been a daunting one for Michael Sheen. It’s testament to the actor’s skill that there were times when we felt that Clough himself was speaking to us from the big screen.

The best-selling book on which the film is based, focuses on Old Big ‘Ead’s ill-fated 44-day reign in charge of Leeds United, is a cracking read, and the film’s director Tom Hooper surpassed our expectations.

The football action is great, the use of archive footage is excellent, and Sheen manages to capture some of the magic, charm and mystery that made Clough one of football’s most beloved personalities.

Clip va – SonyPicturesClassics

Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait

Spanish football journalist Sid Lowe once described Zinedine Zidane as “football’s answer to the Bolshoi Ballet. He was elegance above all else.”

This beautifully-shot documentary proves this statement to be true, as 17 cameras chronicle the gifted playmaker’s every move during Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal at the Bernabeu in 2005.

Mogwai’s rousing score is superb, Zizou’s movements are hypnotic, but the film ominously manages to capture both sides of Zidane’s character.

Graceful, elegant and god-like on the ball.. but he also got sent off for a moment of unnecessary petulance. A warning of what was to come in World Cup 2006.

Clip via – newfilms4u

Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos

With the news that the New York Cosmos are set to make a return to the MLS, now seems like the perfect time to take a look at the club during their halcyon days in the 70s when they boasted the likes of Pele and Beckenbauer in their side.

David Beckham and Robbie Keane may be trying to boost the popularity of ‘soccer’ in the States right now, but Andrew McDonald’s brilliant documentary charts the rise and fall of the club set against the vibrant backdrop of NYC.

Excess, parties and crazy money are all featured, along with some absolutely brilliant stores, interviews and anecdotes.

And yes, that is Matt Dillon narrating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHER3I_57Vg

Clip via –  zuguidemovietrailers

Fever Pitch

Nick Hornby’s seminal book about the day to day life and inherent madness that exists amongst fans that love their club is essential reading for any fan of the beautiful game. The film is a very good attempt at charting the highs and lows of life, as an Arsenal supporter during their famous 1988-89 league winning campaign.

We didn’t love some of rom-com cliches in the film (stick to the football please), but any film that manages to incorporate some jokes about that legendary Arsenal defence and their brilliant use of the off-side trap is fine with us.

We’re sure that Gunners fans will never tire of seeing that Michael Thomas goal over and over again.

Clip via –  doggsy

Looking for Eric

On first reading, you would assume that a partnership between the incredibly-talented and politically active director Ken Loach and the supremely-gifted but temperamental footballer Eric Cantona wouldn’t work. How wrong you would be.

This film about a depressed postman who regularly hallucinates and has conversations with the former Man Utd idol about life and philosophy is entirely unique, mainly because it’s not purely about football.

Convince your non-football-loving other half that the film uses football as a metaphor for life, fanaticism and the importance of hope. Really it’s just an excuse to see King Eric though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzUddao92JQ

Clip via – VISO Trailers

Mike Bassett: England Manager

What’s bizarre is that with the all-too-frequent sackings of present day managers and the odd nature of modern football, this film is starting to look more like a genuine documentary than a comedy satire. Thoughts?

Mike Bassett would probably have done a better job that Steve McClaren though.

Clip via – vladimirtheassassin

Goal!

Before Javier Hernandez made Premier League defenders stay on their toes, their was another Mexican who terrified defenders in the league… well, ther was in the film Goal!

We won’t mention the sequels, but the FIFA-endorsed original, Goal! The Dream Begins, was a cheesy piece of football nostalgia that chronicled the rags-to-riches story of Santiago Munez from his local side to Newcastle United.

Awful product placement, awkward star-studded cameos and a blatant disregard for UK permit regulations all feature in the glorious, cliched first instalment.

Like all sports films, there are some setbacks (jealous team-mates, problems with the press and women) but Santiago manages to make his dad proud and score the winner against Liverpool at a sold-out St James’ Park.

Newcastle in the Champions League? That could only happen in Hollywood.

Clip via – Brending Designers

Hotshot!

This film is so cheesy that it instantly moves into the category of amazing, all thanks to Pele’s terrible wonderful acting skills. Take a look at this clip.

Clip via – sulensmt

We’re sure that you can get all these films at Xtra-vision and, while you’re there, you can pre-order a copy of FIFA 15 which is released next Friday. You can be the first to get your hands on it by pre-ordering from HMV & Xtra-vision.

As an added bonus, when you pre-order the game you will also get a 3 disc DVD Boxset of the World’s Greatest Footballers and receive the Historic Kits Downloadable Content FREE only at HMV & Xtra-vision.

Plus, to make it easier and faster, they have just launched a new way to pre-order upcoming games via your mobile. This is only available to hmv & Xtra-vision. Enjoy.

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