Us Nats Movie?

[skip70]

From Variety ...


After successful collaborations on such sports-themed features as HOOSIERS and RUDY, director David Anspaugh and writer Angelo Pizzo are teaming for a third time, tackling soccer in "The Game of Their Lives" for Crusader Entertainment. Principal photography is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year.

The project, based on the book of the same name by Geoffrey Douglas, is the true story of the American soccer team that, in a stunning upset, defeated England in the 1950 World Cup. At that time, the tournament barely registered on America's sports radar, so the United States sent a hastily assembled band of amateur and semiprofessional players, composed chiefly of working-class immigrants. Considered the underdogs, the Americans took on the seemingly unbeatable English squad with surprising results.

"David and Angelo have made two enduringly popular American sports sagas in 'Hoosiers' and 'Rudy,' " Crusader CEO Howard Baldwin said. "We are so excited to bring them onto this project, which is a perfect vehicle for their considerable talents. Given the recent stellar performance of the American soccer team and America's newfound enthusiasm for a game that has always captured the rest of the world's imagination, we are enormously excited about this edge-of-your-seat, real-life sports drama."

The project is especially fitting for Crusader, a production company founded by billionaire businessman Philip Anschutz, who happens to have interests in four Major League Soccer teams -- the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chicago Fire, D.C. United and Colorado Rapids.

[Golazo]

Sweet Mother of God, is there no part of soccer in this country that doesn't have the sacred touch of St. Phil?

[Chris_Bailey]

Originally posted by Golazo
Sweet Mother of God, is there no part of soccer in this country that doesn't have the sacred touch of St. Phil?


Hunt Park.

[JPhurst]

Originally posted by skip70


The project is especially fitting for Crusader, a production company founded by billionaire businessman Philip Anschutz, who happens to have interests in four Major League Soccer teams -- the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chicago Fire, D.C. United and Colorado Rapids.

And the MetroStars

[Soccerfan20]

This can't be true. If it is, I wonder who would star. . . .Andrew Shue?

If any more infor about this comes out, Skip70, please post it!! Again, I'm skeptical. Too hard to believe that they expect this to go up against "Hoosiers" or "Rudy", maybe "Victory", but I'll leave that to another thread.

[skyforge]

Originally posted by skip70
...the United States sent a hastily assembled band of amateur and semiprofessional players, composed chiefly of working-class immigrants.

I hope this was a mistake on the part of the Variety writer and that Messrs. Anspaugh and Pizzo know that they were sons of immigrants.

__________________
"It's much easier to be critical than to be correct" Benjamin Disraeli

[Mike Marshall]

Is there any chance they can cast Sylvester Stallone as the U.S. Goalkeeper? The fact that he didn't win an Oscar when he played Hatch in 'Victory' is one of the great cinematic injustices of modern times.

[mattgabe]

Originally posted by Mike Marshall
Is there any chance they can cast Sylvester Stallone as the U.S. Goalkeeper? The fact that he didn't win an Oscar when he played Hatch in 'Victory' is one of the great cinematic injustices of modern times.

And who can forget Pele looking up into Michael Caine's eyes, holding his side and wincing in agony while saying, "Coach, I can play. Put me een."

[Lab Mouse]

The common thread in the three movies listed (Hoosiers, Rudy, and The Game of Their Lives)?

All based on true stories about underdogs.

Hoosiers=Milan High School vs Muncie Central, 1954 Indiana state championships (known as the "Milan Miracle"--it's still talked about every basketball season). I don't know why they changed the names of the high schools in the movie (it was Hickory vs South Bend Central--neither of which exist now, if they ever did) or the date (the movie says 1952) but they did use real Indiana gymnasiums (Knightstown HS, Hinkle Fieldhouse).

Rudy=a real guy from Wisconsin who did walk on to eventually play (a little) for Notre Dame (and he is still alive and living in Wisconsin)--the movie is pretty true to the real story, I understand.

I hope the soccer movie, if it comes to fruition, is true to story and as passionate about the underdog as these other two were.

Related question: can someone tell me the name of the soccer movie that features Buddhist monks walking miles to see the World Cup? I've forgotten it! Please PM me, thanks.

[Anthony]

Stallone to play the keeper? Why not?!

Frank Borghi is an Italian American, and a big hulking guy.

And Sly is an Italian-American and a big hulking guy.

And who can forget prehaps the greatest line ever spoken in American cinema "Hey Colby. Where do I stand on a corner kick?"

[NER_MCFC]

I don't know which would be more unlikely, that they could find actors who could play or players who could act.

[Kaiser]

Fat Tony could play the keeper. He should be available during production. I'm sure someone could tell him where to stand on a corner kick.

[skip70]

Originally posted by Lab Mouse
Related question: can someone tell me the name of the soccer movie that features Buddhist monks walking miles to see the World Cup? I've forgotten it! Please PM me, thanks.

"The Cup"
released by Fine Line Pictures
written and directed by Khyentse Norbu.

you can read a review by Roger Ebert at

http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ebert_reviews/2000/02/021106.html

[CSheard]

Originally posted by NER_MCFC
I don't know which would be more unlikely, that they could find actors who could play or players who could act. As long as they don't let Ty Keough play Harry Keough.

[skip70]

You can view the trailor here...
http://www.movieseer.com/dvdprofile.asp?dvdID=194&Channel=2

[FulhamRev]

Speaking of soccer movies, I met a dude in Korea who was making a documentary about US soccer (maybe mostly focusing on the fans?) at the World Cup. Anyone have any word on this project?

[Lab Mouse]

Thanks for the help, skip70. :) I saw it in the local Blockbuster about a year ago then promptly forgot the title. I may try to get that and Amelie over the weekend.

[NASL Fan]

Originally posted by skip70
From Variety ...
The project is especially fitting for Crusader, a production company founded by billionaire businessman Philip Anschutz, who happens to have interests in four Major League Soccer teams -- the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chicago Fire, D.C. United and Colorado Rapids.

Man, is this guy into synergy or what...? Soccer teams; soccer movie. If it's a hit and everyone wants to go out and buy MLS tickets and 1950 USA replica jerseys he'll make money.

I hope it's more like Hoosiers (a hit and sports movie classic) and less like Rudy (not much of a hit).

I highly recommend reading the book, by the way. I read it in one or two sittings a few years back. They're going to have to find someone with moderate skill to reenact the winning goal: a diving flick header by Gatejens...

The movie will be about love of country and neighborhood (a lot of the book takes place in working class St. Louis) and purity of sport...

[speedcake]

Did they walk for miles? I've seen it and I don't remember that part. I thought the kids just slipped away into a really nearby village to see the games.

Cute film though.

[SeismicShift]

I hope Vinnie Jones plays one of the ACTUAL (2?)immigrants on the team.