The Game of Their Lives

Cool, thanks for the post.

HAven't heard much about this for months but that article definately shed some light on it. Never knew Anschutz was the driving force behind having this movie made. Seriously... where would we be without this guy?

And calling all soccer players with a little bit of acting skill, they are doing tryouts in St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Washington, Denver and Los Angeles for the cast.

What's a general idea for a release date? Summer '04 maybe? I think plans from the beginning are probably for this movie to be a theatrical release, but I won't believe it not going straight to video until I see it.

 

Now were talkin'. Remember that huge but cheesy movie called "Days of Thunder". Yeah, that one. It helped boost a little known entity called NASCAR into the mainstream. We need more ************ like this for soccer.

 

Rent "Victory" with Sly Stallone, Michael Caine and several now-deceased NASL stars.

Stallone, I believe was honestly trying to capitalize on the soccer buzz of the late 70/early 80s when this was made...then he made "Over the Top" (armwrestlng movie)... FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, HE'S SET BOTH SPORTS BACK 25 YEARS!!!!!!

 

What?!? No Boston? Oh well.

Something that would be nice would be if at the beginning and end of the movie a little re-enactment of the U.S.-Portugal game (or even U.S.-Colombia) was shown to show a modern day upset (perhaps similar to the beginning and ending of "The Sandlot" for those of you who have seen it) and then flash to the story and main part of the movie which would be the 1950 team and how they "set a precedent" for U.S. soccer in the future. Just my 2 cents and I'm no Hollywood writer.

 

Oh yeah and thank you Mr. Jerry Yeagley.

 

Can't wait to see this movie. Hopefully it really will be good, so it can be an inspirational movie for all sports. I know I had soccer coaches invoke Rudy for inspiration. If we got a soccer movie of our own, lots of youth players will be able to get inspired.

 

Anyone know when the tryouts are going to be, especially in Chicago?

 

According to a thread over in Business and Media, they did one round of tryouts, erm, casting, yesterday in LA, and will do more on the 26th, I think.

It also sez there that Waldo is involved in scouting, er, the talent hunt, and that some actor that I don't know (I'm an old fart) is the front runner for the Gaetjens role.

Don't know where the thread is.

 

This is an idea that is years overdue. I could see a scene with the St.Louis guys giving Yogi Berra & Joe Garagiola crap about playing baseball for next to nothing. Throw in a little star power (DiCaprio, Bon Jovi, Vinny Jones ) and The Game Of Their Lives could really put the game on the map with John Q Public.

BTW, found the old link:
https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5604

 

Great concept and I hope this movie does well. However, the timing is off. This movie should be released one month before the 2006 WC for the most impact. Then people and the media would watch the WC with that much more historical background which turns into more current interest.

But I understand PA's idea is to promote the sport of soccer in the here and now to further MLS's interests, not US Soccer.

 

So, when do you think this movie is going to be released? If they're shooting in April, then the soonest this'll probably be out is next Christmas. But since it's being bankrolled by Saint Phil, more likely it'll be held for, oh, right around Spring 2004. Right around when the season starts, I'd guess. And right around when the semifinal round of our WCQ starts.

Sure, having it come out to coencide with '06 would be nice, but it seems to me like the timing is acceptible.

The more we get soccer in the public eye in a good way on a consistent basis, the better off we'll be.

 

Who are the deceased NASL stars from Victory? I can't think of any off the top of my head but would have to go back and look at the film.

 

Bobby Moore comes to mind as a deceased former NASL player who appeared in the movie. Chris Bahr (played for the Raiders) was the other Bahr to play in the NFL.

 

For christ sakes, keep Andrew Shue far, far away from the casting for this or it'll be a disaster.