12 Best football films of all time

You may not know this but there has been a number of great football films released that should not be missed

So you eat, drink, sleep, watch and talk football. What’s there to do while waiting for a game or after?
Catch any one of these brilliant films on football and it will give you new perspective on the beautiful game.

1. One Night in Turin (2010)

Before the Premier League, in England, “football” was a dirty word. The game was in disgrace with the scourge of hooligans and poor international results.

Then came Italia ‘90 – The World Cup. This shot at redemption did not come easy. Over six weeks, through sheer hard work, God-given talent and heroic exploits, the England team united a nation, coming within a heartbeat of reaching the Final.

Narrated by Gary Oldman, this film features nostalgic action, including the silky skills of Gazza, the finishing of Lineker, and Platt’s last-gasp winner against Belgium. Together with previously unseen footage, this is a rousing record.

2. The Two Escobars (2010)

Pablo Escobar was the most powerful drug kingpin in the world, ruling the Medellin cartel. Meanwhile, Andres Escobar was one of the biggest football stars in Colombia.

Colombia was highly favoured to win the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Unfortunately, Andres committed one of the most shocking mistakes in football history, scoring an own goal that eliminated his nation from the competition.

That mistake ultimately cost him his life. The Two Escobars is a gripping, hard look at the intersection of sports, crime and politics.

3. Looking for Eric (2009)

How can anyone overlook a film about Manchester United’s “King” Eric Cantona? Eric Bishop is a middle-aged postman working for the Manchester sorting office. He is going through a crisis and decides to seek advice from his idol, the United legend, Eric Cantona.

The famously philosophical Frenchman aids him through a series of characteristic and peculiar aphorisms. Amusing, to say the least.

4. Ginga: The Soul of Brasilian Football (2005)

This film was originally developed by Nike to promote its Brazilian ad campaign, and showcases rising stars. It is known for featuring a young Robinho, who moved to Real Madrid.

A 60-minute version was screened at Nike’s parties and over some TV stations worldwide, to much acclaim. It is quite insightful and inspiring for a film of that length.

5. Green Street Hooligans (2005)

Matt Buckner (Elijah Wood) is expelled from Harvard when a stash of cocaine is found in his possession. He moves to London to live with his sister and her husband. He is quickly introduced to Steve’s younger brother, Pete.

One day, Matt is viciously attacked by a gang of Birmingham City hooligans, until Pete and his friends arrive to save him. Matt realises that Pete and his friends are also football hooligans, operating the Green Street Elite ‘firm’.

This film is known to have one of the more realistic portrayals of football hooligans and their modus operandi. Stars Elijah Wood and Claire Forlani.

6. Goal! (2005)

Santiago Munez is the son of Mexican immigrants in the USA. Instead of joining his father’s gardening company, he has even bigger dreams of a better life, which includes becoming a professional footballer.

As fate would have it, he is spotted as a natural talent and gets a trial with Newcastle United. Will he rise to football stardom, or will his party animal housemate drag him down?

There is a sequel, though many agree that this first film is better and less commercial.

7. The Other Final (2003)

Disappointed with the failure of the Netherlands to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Dutch fan Johan Kramer decides to do something interesting and meaningful to take his mind off.

He organises a match between the two lowest FIFA-ranked teams – Bhutan and Montserrat. This match takes place on the same day as the World Cup Final. “The Other Final” is heart-warming and insightful.

8. Bend it like Beckham (2002)

This modern classic is a comedy about an 18-year-old Sikh girl who dreams of becoming a professional footballer and playing with Manchester United’s David Beckham.

Jesminder’s talent is overshadowed by her traditional parents’ desire for her to find a nice boyfriend, cook the perfect chapati, and settle down.

Bend It like Beckham was the big screen debut of Parminder Nagra, who later went on to star in various popular TV series such as “ER”, “Psych” and “The Blacklist”. The film also featured Keira Knightley in arguably her first starring role. Shaznay Lewis of girl band All Saints also has a supporting part.

This film is great for more than a few laughs and is meaningful too.

9. Mean Machine (2001)

Mean Machine is most famous for starring former football hard man Vinnie Jones, who played for Wimbledon, Leeds and Chelsea. A disgraced football star, Danny “Mean Machine” Meehan, is jailed for assault. He later leads a group of inmates in a match against the prison guards.

The match is a chance for him to redeem himself, and to put one over the evil prison guards. Also stars Jason Statham of The Transporter fame. Definitely entertaining.

10. The Cup [Phorpa] (1999)

While the 1998 World Cup is being played in France, two Tibetan boys arrive at a monastery-school in India. The serene atmosphere is disrupted by football fever.

The chief instigator is the young Orgyen. Unable to watch the World Cup, the boy attempts to organise the rental of a TV set for the monastery in order to catch the matches.

This gutsy enterprise becomes a test of character for the young monks.

11. Fever Pitch (1997)

This is the British film based on the autobiographical book by Nick Hornby, not the Hollywood remake starring Jimmy Fallon. It is a must-watch for all Arsenal fans and football fanatics.

Essentially, Fever Pitch is a romantic comedy about a relationship and a passion for a football team. English teacher Paul Ashworth has a long-standing obsession with Arsenal but one day meets Sarah.

Their relationship develops in tandem with Arsenal’s roller coaster fortunes in the league, both leading to a nail-biting climax. Stars Colin Firth.

12. Escape to Victory (1981)

This is a surprising work, starring a post-Rocky II Sylvester Stallone and real football legends Pele and Bobby Moore!
Set during World War II, a group of Nazi officers come up with a propaganda event in which an all-star Nazi team will play a team composed of allied prisoners of war in a football game.

The prisoners agree, planning to use the game as a means of escape. With the game to be played in Nazi-occupied Paris, the French Resistance and British officers are making plans to aid them.

The stars alone are reason enough to watch.

SPECIAL MENTION:

Kallang Roar, the Movie (2008)

OK, we couldn’t leave out this local nostalgic flick. Kallang Roar is based upon the Singapore national team’s famous Malaysia Cup win in 1977, including the semi-final match against Selangor and the eventful final against Penang.

The film stars veteran Lim Kay Siu as Uncle Choo Seng Quee, Randall Tan as Mat Noh and former star striker Quah Kim Song’s son, Leon Quah, portraying him. Quah senior scored two goals in the epic final.

While not a fantastic film, with somewhat unrealistic pitch scenes, it is a decent effort and fairly entertaining and insightful.