Oscar-worthy: 5 sports phenomena that have been made into movies

Sport is about unforgettable moments, incredible victories, and players with phenomenal abilities. Winning a landmark match in the final seconds or a comeback after a long break – all these are not just iconic moments in sports history and personal triumphs, but also great subjects for a book or movie.

In our selection we have gathered 5 movie works based on real events. We promise that you will definitely find something to your taste, no matter what TV broadcasts give you goosebumps: basketball, hockey, boxing or maybe even golf.

“Moving Up.”

Release date: 2018.

Type of sport: basketball.

At the heart of the plot: the legendary victory of the USSR national team over the U.S. team in the final match of the men’s basketball tournament of the XX Summer Olympic Games in Munich (FRG) on September 9, 1972.

The movie tells about the incredible confrontation between the USSR and USA national teams. For 36 years before this landmark meeting, the U.S. team was considered unbeatable. No one could assume that someone could compete with the Americans on the basketball court. However, the coach of the USSR national team, despite everything, believed in his charges. And as a result, he was able to make the players themselves believe that they can accomplish the impossible.

“Legend № 17”

Release date: 2013.

Type of sport: hockey.

At the heart of the plot: September 2, 1972. Montreal. USSR hockey team defeated the Canadian professionals from the NHL with a resounding score of 7:3 in the opening match of the epochal Super Series USSR – Canada.

The movie is based on the real life events of the great Soviet hockey player Valery Kharlamov. The picture touches on the period of Kharlamov’s life from the moment when he met his coach Anatoly Tarasov. It was under his leadership that the future star of world hockey grew up. And passed a difficult path from a player from the lower league to the leading forward of CSKA, and then – the USSR national team.

“Ali”

Release date: 2001.

Type of sport: boxing.

The plot is based on the life and biography of Mohammed Ali.

The movie tells about the life of Ali in the period between the fight for the title of world champion with Sonny Liston and before the “Rumble in the Jungle”. Everything was mixed together: his adoption of Islam, his friendship with Islamist black activist Malcolm X, his marriage to a Playboy model, and his refusal to serve in the army. During this period, the life of the legendary boxer was ambiguous and extremely saturated with events, which formed the basis of the plot for the picture.

By the way, this is not the only movie about the life and career of a great athlete, but one of the few, whose actors were nominated for an Oscar.

Interesting fact: the main role was played by Will Smith, and he agreed only after Mohammed’s approval.

Mohammed Ali and Will Smith

“Knockdown”

Release date: 2005.

Type of sport: boxing.

The plot is based on the real story of boxer Jim Braddock, who managed to return to the ring during the Great Depression in the States.

The career of James Braddock, a successful boxer in the past, seems to be coming to an end: a series of injuries prevents him from returning to the ring. The Great Depression has come, all his savings have been lost, and he has to take any job.

One day he is offered to get into the ring for a little money, but the fight is stopped, as both boxers were very exhausted, and Braddock broke his arm. The boxer is disqualified and promised never to be allowed in the ring again. But fate presents him with a second chance: at the last minute, he replaces another boxer and fights a challenger for the world title…

“Triumph”

Release date: 2005.

Type of sport: golf.

The story is based on the final round of the US Open golf tournament in 1913.

The story, which golf fans call nothing short of a miracle. At the final stage of the US Open, an unknown 20-year-old boy Francis Ouimet, who was considered an outsider, defeated the absolutely unbeatable champion Harry Vardon. And he defeated him elegantly, stylishly and not without a sense of humor.