I just finished watching this on my computer, words can't describe. Its got so many goals that most people haven't seen before, interviews with his family and friends, former teamates. I know many of you have probably seen it, but those who haven't wait no longer. I invited a Brazilian friend of mine from my college soccer team to watch it with me and he kept telling me that if I could understand what they were saying I would appreciate it even more. Its outstanding, really. Who is Maradona?
Re: Pele Eterno Thank for the update Jawz. The most amazing thing is that this is not a true "best of" compilation, as most of his games are not available. Its a "best of what we could find" compilation. Imagine the volume of plays we will all be deprived of, and that our forefathers (like my uncle who saw him play live for a whole season while living in Brasil) can only explain to us.
Re: Pele Eterno According to the making of I saw on uol.com.br the original cut was 6 hours long and they kept reducing it to 5, 4, 3 etc. The final cut is 121 mins long. I should have the DVD later this week hopefully.
Re: Pele Eterno I bought the dvd last friday and saw the film again, this time with my father and one of my brothers. Now I'll watch it with my wife, son and daughter. And I invited my father in law to watch it next week. It changes the mood, subverts concepts and makes football seem full of possibilities.
Re: Pele Eterno Neovox: What is the tittle of that DVD? Where did you buy it from? Is it available from Amazon.com? I would love to have that DVD.
Re: Pele Eterno The title is Pelé Eterno (Eternal Pelé). I live in Brazil, so I don't know if it's already available in the U.S. The version I bought is in Portuguese. If you (or any friend) can read Portuguese, try here: https://somlivre.globo.com/sacolaM.asp
Re: Pele Eterno I downloaded it from a bittorrent client. Once it becomes subtitled in English I'll buy it for sure.
Re: Pele Eterno Jawz, you have got to give us more on your take away from the viewing: - what did you enjoy best? - what surprised you / did you not expect? - how was the footage of WCC game against Benfica? (I haven't seen the DVD, but did have chance once to see a compact of this game and got shivers at Pele-Coutinho) - other stuff Neovox gave us a view in the Pele thread:
Re: Pele Eterno Since this seems to be a Pele, Eterno specific thread, thought I would repost this article as it points to some highlights of the film.
Re: Pele Eterno 2) Verification of two legends - The facts surrounding Pele are at times extraordinary, often they are labeled as myths/legends. One of them is that Pele was expulsed from a game in Colombia and that the local fans where so incensed that they “expulsed” the ref so that O Rei could return to the field. Another is that Pele presence caused a truce in a civil war in Biafra (1969) in Africa so the populace could go see Pele and Santos in a friendly....... is that the same fabled game where he beats the entire opposition on his own and then subsequently makes the goalkeeper cry by repeatedly beating him without scoring the goal?is there a footage of that "goal" in the dvd?
Re: Pele Eterno What I loved about Pele Eterno first of all was how it illustrates just how great Pele was over such a long period of time. From 1957 to well into the 70's Pele was utterly dominant for Santos and Brazil. The records he holds in his first three seasons alone for Santos are unbelievable (11 titles, over a goal a game average). The footage begins in black and white, showing him early on at 17, 18, 19, 20 conquering the world with his technique, determination, will, intelligence and talent. It ends in color with Pele in the 1970 World Cup triumph, his retirement, his days in the NASL and the famous people he meets. I was utterly shocked that Pele served a bit of time in the military even at the height of his popularity. I also, I had no idea how big a pimp he was. He dated many beautiful women. It shows Santos playing against and dominating the best European competition. That point was particularly pleasing because it silences all the detractors of Pele not playing in Europe. No team in Europe was a match for Santos. My favorite matches were the ones versus Milan (with Gianni Rivera) for the Intercontinental Cup. I enjoyed it personally, because it shows a Milan team that was very good, almost equal to Pele's Santos at the time. The two myths mentioned in the article that tpmazembe mentioned are spot on. The war he temporarily postponed was amazing and the crowd’s dismissal of the Colombian referee who gave him a red card was hilarious! Its exhaustive how detailed and meticulous the director is in building the atmosphere for Pele's greatest moments, the pressure on him and Santos/Brazil to perform, and how he rises to the occasion almost every time. Highlights include the 1970 World Cup match versus Uruguay and the way they tackled and provoked him. The Libertadores matches versus Boca. The Benfica and Milan matches in Europe... there are too many to name. On a side note, it is interesting seeing the other great players for Brazil over the course of the film: Garrincha, Zito, Didi, Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho (sp) as well as others. One point I have to make is the great production of the film, you won't find better in Hollywood. There is great art direction and creativity in the connections between scenes and timeframes, utilizing pictures, newspaper headlines, and other creative things. The film is put together very well. The music is engaging, lots of orchestral arrangements for the dramatic moments and distinctly Brazilian sounds of samba during moments of triumph. I could go on, but I want the more I talk about it the more I get an urge to watch it again so I’ll end with this. I had never seen a lot of footage of Pele before this, and I had just watched a long highlight film of Maradona's "exploits". But, this movie just proves what is obvious. Pele puts Maradona in his back pocket. He is quite simply the best athlete of the last century.
is that the same fabled game where he beats the entire opposition on his own and then subsequently makes the goalkeeper cry by repeatedly beating him without scoring the goal?is there a footage of that "goal" in the dvd? I hope this is not true, and I can`t imagine it to be true. A player, regardless how talented and great he may be, should never misuse his talent to make other individiuals look foolish because they are less talented. Especially not to a point where it just borders cruelty. I can`t imagine Pelé, who I consider a true sportsman, acting like a no class person by teasing a goalkeeper endlessly.
Re: Pele Eterno Great post overall Jawz...thanks. I think these three points you make are best. The DVD should enligthen any viewer not previously aware of : a) the consitent excellence in play since age of 16 b) the record of achievement against the best European competition c) the extent of his complete talent These should have been evident from the volume of books, articles, and statistics available about him; or from the long list of silverware won; or from any objective analysis of the fortunes of Santos pre, during, and post his reign; or from the testimonials of the greats who played with and against him.....but to many people seeing is believing. I wonder what the "beefs" are going to be after they see it?
I agree with you Gregoriak, I'd be disappointed if it were true. I don't believe this occured...never heard or read of it personally...and doubt Pele had the temperment to do such a thing. Now Garrincha might do it in jest.... Plus one thing is evident about Pele is that he was very pragmatic in his approach to the game. He wouldn't play around with an opponent when a goal was to be scored.
It did happen.Pele can not be the upholder of moral code of conduct and ethics all the freaking time.He is human after all.World class opponents are fair game for trickery and japes but in his autobiography, Pele confessed that he overstepped the mark by belittling a novice opponent. It was the 60's,Pele was touring Africa for the very first time.With deference to the outpouring of adulation by the people Pele wanted to put on a show.And When O Rei puts on a show, it can be spectacular .... all within "pragmitism" of course...... He wrote...... ''It was the first time I had played in Africa.The stadium in Dakar was crowded to the aisles, and I was emotional and wanted to put on an exhibition. I scored twice in the first 10 minutes, but after the second goal I suddenly saw that the goalkeeper was crying as if his heart would break. ''I had never seen a goalie cry before, except in happiness after winning a match. The next thing I knew, the goalkeeper walked off the field. I had done more than score against him, I had made him look foolish before his own people.'' When the match was over, Pele tried to find the keeper, to say he was sorry, that it was just a game. The man refused to come out of the dressing room. Even today Pele has a bad feeling about the incident.
Now that you have put context around it Edson, it reads much better. Originally it sounded malicious; which surprised me because in Libs play he was often subject to racial abuse, and sometimes spat on by opponents to get him off his game, to which there is almost no history of showing them up other than a vigourous fist in the air goal celebration. Pulling out the stops in an exhibition for the crowd that was getting its once in a lifetime chance at seeing him is an animal of a different sort than what I thought I read in your first post. The fact that he is remorseful is also good sign...we all cross the line at times. I wonder if that gentelman is still alive and what his thoughts are about that day. Its like the Haitian defender who got fooled on the Ronaldinho 360 move during the benefit match...we know the crowd loved it, but it was sure to have been somewhat embarassing for the defender at the time. With the passage of time, does it become something he tell his grand kids about it?
I've heard the movie will have an international version that will be released in 2005 in europe and usa... good news for foreigners (not portuguese speakers) that love soccer...By the way, I also heard that they will release a TV serie with the whole stuff (about 6 hours) in 2006 during the WC... P.S.:Excuse my english
That's correct. At the time of the theatrical release, Anibal Massaini said in several interviews that there would be a TV series set to coincide with the 2006 WC. Hey, I wonder if it is mentioned in the documentary the following story: With 5 minutes to go, Santos was losing 2x0 and the defenders started teasing Pele talking outloud to each other: -Hey, have you seen this Pele guy they frequently talk about? -No. -Hes supposed to be really good. Havent seen him today. -Me neither. Then, in 5 minutes, Pele scores once and sets up another. It finishes in a draw. Upon the final whistle he grabs the ball from the refs hands and gives it to one of the defenders, telling the guy: -Here, take this to the Lady your mother and tell her Pele sends his regards. Well, thats how I remenber the story. Difficult to have a clear recollection with so many stories surrounding him through the years. I heard this one 8,9 years ago, I think, in the old TV Cultura show Cartão Verde, at the time featuring Flavio Prado, Jose Trajano and Juca Kfouri.
You can read the story in Placar Especial/Pelé 60 Anos. They say: Hey, have you seen The King? One of the defenders, if my memory does not fail, was Nilton Santos!!!
It reads differently now - I guess over such a long career, isolated incidents like that can happen. As long as a player doesn`t make a habit out of it.
Yes.Willfully making a fool of novice opponents wasnt a raison d'etre for Pele as it had been for Garrincha.I think Ronnie's spin move was a spur of the moment thing without the beastliness of forethought.But it was a great play regardless of the opponent.
Re: Pele Eterno That's where I'm getting it from at this moment... should be finished in a day or two! I'll try to add to the conversation once I've seen it. P.S. Your English is good Ninrod.