A few Fever Pitch Questions

[Catfish]

Just picked it up yesterday, more than 1/2 way done...what a great read.

Are Derby and West Ham rivals of Arsenal?
The book makes it seem like it.

Also I thought Derby wasn't even near London?

West Ham, is where in London?

I thought Arsenal and Tottenham were the only Prem clubs in the North end of London? I know there are clubs in the West End (Chelsea, Charlton, and Fulham) but are there any in the East and South.....How is London arranged again???

Thanks.

[nyrmetros]

Wasn't there a movie called Fever Pitch?
About a man's obssession with Arsenal?

saw it on HBO once......

is it on USA DVD?

[DallasGooner]

Yes, its a movie of the book. The dvd is $15 at bestbuy.com just I have been lazy and hope to find it used and chaper somewhere.

[um_chili]

Pat: Agreed, FP is a great book. Probably the best football book I've read, and certianly the one that planted the seeds of my current obsession with the sport. Darby and West Ham play a more prominent role in the book because during the period about which Hornby largely writes (late 60s-early 80s) they were more prominent teams than they are now. However, Tottenham has always been Arsenal's major rival, as is evident in the book from Hornby's frequent references to them (though he recounts several emotional games against Chelsea, so I get the sense there was some degree of rivalry there as well). Some of the teams you mention (Fulham, Charlton) were not in the First Division (now Premiership) for much if any of the time covered by the book. As for your other questions (especially the geographical ones), I'll defer to someone with better knowledge of the London football scene.

NYR: There is a British movie based on the book, starring Colin Firth as the Nick Hornby character. It's fictionalized a bit (in a screenplay by Hornby himself), and I think it blows. I saw it on video here in the states becuase I love the book, but I wish I'd missed it because it was an absolute stinker. You're better to re-read the book and not taint your memories of it with the film.

Bonus: there are rumors that the book has also been optioned to create an American film version in which the fanatic is a Boston Red Sox, rather than an Arsenal, fan. Don't have high hopes for that one.

[nyrmetros]

very interesingting..... thanx for the info mates!

[pething101]

Originally posted by NYR Metros
Wasn't there a movie called Fever Pitch?
About a man's obssession with Arsenal?

saw it on HBO once......

is it on USA DVD?

I rented it once from the local video store so check the shelves.

West Ham is East London and Arsenal is a rival but not the biggest rival for West Ham.

[FootieBloke007]

I saw the movie and read excerpts of the book. The movie seems to be only loosely based on the book focusing more on the protagonist's relationship with the leading lady while his passion for Arsenal is the catalyst to their conflict with each other. There are flashback scenes of the main character going to his first Arsenal match among following matches scattered as segways in the movie.

The book seems to focus more on the latter...the football...correct me if I'm wrong Patrick. Movie is your typical romantic comedy with football as a backdrop.

[subbuteo]

Originally posted by um_chili
...
NYR: There is a British movie based on the book, starring Colin Firth as the Nick Hornby character. It's fictionalized a bit (in a screenplay by Hornby himself), and I think it blows. I saw it on video here in the states becuase I love the book, but I wish I'd missed it because it was an absolute stinker. You're better to re-read the book and not taint your memories of it with the film.

Bonus: there are rumors that the book has also been optioned to create an American film version in which the fanatic is a Boston Red Sox, rather than an Arsenal, fan. Don't have high hopes for that one.

The only good thing about the movie was the Subbuteo scene.

The book is fantastic.

[FootieBloke007]

Originally posted by subbuteo
The only good thing about the movie was the Subbuteo scene.

The book is fantastic.

The subbuteo rocks. US version should be about the Cubs.

[DallasGooner]

West Ham are in east London, north of the Thames.

[DallasGooner]

Originally posted by um_chili


NYR: There is a British movie based on the book, starring Colin Firth as the Nick Hornby character. It's fictionalized a bit (in a screenplay by Hornby himself), and I think it blows. I saw it on video here in the states becuase I love the book, but I wish I'd missed it because it was an absolute stinker. You're better to re-read the book and not taint your memories of it with the film.

This version is the one that was released in the US.

[Catfish]

Originally posted by FootieBloke007
I saw the movie and read excerpts of the book. The movie seems to be only loosely based on the book focusing more on the protagonist's relationship with the leading lady while his passion for Arsenal is the catalyst to their conflict with each other. There are flashback scenes of the main character going to his first Arsenal match among following matches scattered as segways in the movie.

The book seems to focus more on the latter...the football...correct me if I'm wrong Patrick. Movie is your typical romantic comedy with football as a backdrop.

Yep..the book is mainly about football. If your a supporter of Arsenal, it is a must...and if you like football, in general, you will enjoy this book. Also most crazed sports die-hard fans will love this book.

Cheers

[Jeff L]

The book certainly outshines the film, which as already stated is aimed more at the "love angle" (to sell it to women to watch with their "Arsenal Partner"?), but I think it's still good. Being able to "re-live" parts, thinking "I was there", etc. (Without knowing how "big" the film was going to be, I had the chance to be in it as an "Arsenal extra", but it meant taking 3 days off work).
"God I wish I had done!!!"
Anyway, for me, it's like reliving my life, both as a boy and a parent, and seeing how he grows up, and then viewing it through my sons' eyes too, as the story runs a similar parallel.
Watching him during the film, it's easy to think, "I've done that", and "it was the same for me", etc.
Recalling the night of 26th May 1989 was good, and various other bits, but too much "lovey dovey" stuff.
On the London scene, in the north is Us and the "enemy"; the east WHU (main rivals Sperzzzz), together with Leyton Orient.
South is Chelsea, Fulham, traditional rivals, but nothing like "us and them".
Millwall, Charlton (until EPL) and Crystal Palace are "close rivals" and Brentford and QPR out west.
That's about it for your "guided tour" of London football.

[nyrmetros]

coolness :)

[Lanesra]

I think the reason he gets so excited about derby is that loosing them at home was a poor result, (Dean saunders, (2) I think) and it looked as though once again Arsenal had taken us to the brink but once again were going to throw it away, I know thats how I felt at the time.

As for West ham they got slaughterd by Liverpool the week before the Game at Anfield which made our task look impossible, Ive still got the back page of the Daily mirror from the Day after West ham lost, which proclaimed something like "You've got no chance Arsenal" George graham stuck it on the dressing room wall at Anfield.

I loved fever pitch, it could have been me he wes writing about, remembering what girls you were going out with by Arsenal games, and in my younger days lying to my parents (god rest them) to go and watch away games , as far away as Carlisle!!.

And as for the film, the love interest was to attract a wider audience, but those scenes at the end with people running out of their houses at the final whistle, the streets filled with dancing gooners in seconds..well thats exactly how it was. Did you know that when they first pitched the film in the states the studios said they would have to change the end as it was too far fetched!!.

One other great thing about the film is the scene in the classroom on the night of the match as the pupils are leaving wishing Darcy "good luck" or "hope you get stuffed sir" the main boy ..cant remember his name dosen't say anything he dosen't have to ..they both know, gives me goose pimples every time.


Oh and just for reference

Vs Derby = Karen
Vs Liverpool = Laura
Although I did get a phone call from Karen the day after congratulating me/us on winning the League, did I... no, bollocks to her, she had her chance :)

Finally On the Monday after the game I remarked to another mates girlfriend that that was the best thing that had ever happened to me, she asked what about Karen.. Who'd been around a few years, I told her Karen had gone , but no one could ever take that night away from me, I'd waited 18 years for it, I still stand by it.

Thanks for listening.

[pething101]

Originally posted by Lanesra
I think the reason he gets so excited about derby is that loosing them at home was a poor result, (Dean saunders, (2) I think) and it looked as though once again Arsenal had taken us to the brink but once again were going to throw it away, I know thats how I felt at the time.

As for West ham they got slaughterd by Liverpool the week before the Game at Anfield which made our task look impossible, Ive still got the back page of the Daily mirror from the Day after West ham lost, which proclaimed something like "You've got no chance Arsenal" George graham stuck it on the dressing room wall at Anfield.

I loved fever pitch, it could have been me he wes writing about, remembering what girls you were going out with by Arsenal games, and in my younger days lying to my parents (god rest them) to go and watch away games , as far away as Carlisle!!.

And as for the film, the love interest was to attract a wider audience, but those scenes at the end with people running out of their houses at the final whistle, the streets filled with dancing gooners in seconds..well thats exactly how it was. Did you know that when they first pitched the film in the states the studios said they would have to change the end as it was too far fetched!!.

One other great thing about the film is the scene in the classroom on the night of the match as the pupils are leaving wishing Darcy "good luck" or "hope you get stuffed sir" the main boy ..cant remember his name dosen't say anything he dosen't have to ..they both know, gives me goose pimples every time.


Oh and just for reference

Vs Derby = Karen
Vs Liverpool = Laura
Although I did get a phone call from Karen the day after congratulating me/us on winning the League, did I... no, bollocks to her, she had her chance :)

Finally On the Monday after the game I remarked to another mates girlfriend that that was the best thing that had ever happened to me, she asked what about Karen.. Who'd been around a few years, I told her Karen had gone , but no one could ever take that night away from me, I'd waited 18 years for it, I still stand by it.

Thanks for listening.

Classic post, Lanesra ... minus the whole West Ham getting slaughtered by Liverpool thing.

[Jeff L]

I remember that night too! I was dating a girl (Frances) and I had already told her that I would be picking her up late. "Oh you'll be watching the football then" (TOO RIGHT!).
We were supposed to be going to a club (in Tottenham!).
When I turned up to collect her after the game, she was wearing (whatever it was). I told her, "Change, and get that red skirt and shoes and bag that you have put on".
(She duly did). When then drove down to Highbury, passing many other cars going the same way. Scarves out the window, horns sounding, and went to the "Bank of Friendship" pub. (Couldn't get in the "Gunners"! Just about got in the "B of F"!! Afterwards, it was dancing out in the streets, and very later on, to the club in Tottenham.
It was great hearing the Sperzzzzzz fans in the toilets talking about, "Oh Arsenal have won the League".
Did I revell in it!
"WHAT A NIGHT"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dr. Wankler]

Originally posted by um_chili
Bonus: there are rumors that the book has also been optioned to create an American film version in which the fanatic is a Boston Red Sox, rather than an Arsenal, fan. Don't have high hopes for that one.

It ain't a rumor...

http://movies.go.com/movies/F/feverpitch_2002/

they've gone so far as to do some casting:

http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_656256.html?menu=entertainment.latestheadlines

Which of course doesn't make it something to be hopeful about.

[Martin Daoust]

I have very mixed feelings on the movie...yeah its too syrupy with the romance and in that way deviates entirely from the actual book, which I read every season-going through the better days when required and even the bad days out of duty. This is simply a magnificent book, but to be so harsh on the movie...is your favorite here still "The Arsenal Stadium Mystery" or "The Young Americans"(Coppers watch us go down to ManUre at THOF-I watch Thandie Newton...). It's a good movie on its own and a GREAT movie about Arsenal FC and what it menas to those who support and love it. I wish it had been a better movie mainly because it would have generated greater publicity for Arsenal FC here. But I while I vastly prefer the book, I have no complaints about the movie-at least Hornby adapted it himself so it retains the historical authenticity of the book, and has Hornby's unique characterizations and relationships, as seen in "High Fidelity" (adapted for American cinema-but featuring John Cusack Tim Robbins AND Jack Black and a Hornby story-simply marvellous) and then "About A Boy"-good stuff too. Okay enough movie reviewing-but "Fever Pitch" the movie is a fair bit better than its being given credit for-at least as a movie about football and Arsenal FC. But the book is like THE BIBLE, guys...

[HighburyGoon]

I agree with Martin. The book is an absolute must-read, and one of the best I've ever read, period. As for the film, it's thoroughly enjoyable, and good for the ladies as well. It's definitely not deserving of the bashing it's gotten here.