The Greatest Game Ever Played
by Bill Paxton
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DVD details
Actor: Elias Koteas, James Paxton, Shia LaBeouf, Stephen Dillane, Tom RackDirector: Bill Paxton
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
Cinematographer: Shane Hurlbut
Editor: Elliot Graham
Producer: David Blocker
Producer: David Steinberg
Producer: Larry Brezner
Producer: Mark Frost
Writer: Mark Frost
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 120 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-04-11
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
DVD Reviews of The Greatest Game Ever Played
DVD Review: Great Show!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Greatest Game Ever Played is by far the greatest movie ever made. Don't bother renting it just go ahead an buy it even if you haven't seen in. You wont be disappointed. DVD Review: What could have been
Summary: 2 Stars
After seeing this film on the golf channel, I got the book it was based on by Mark Frost. As an avid golfer, the gulf between book and film was beyond cavernous. Forgettng about the brilliant dealings with cultural milieu, which is the one disagreement I have with some complaints here (the class differences are integral to the story), the movie does a terribly inadequate job of recreating the extraordinary sporting accomplishment and thrilling duel that led to Ouimet's victory.
How such an enthralling true life event could be so messed up is beyond me. As others have pointed out, the backstory of Ouimet's early success (he won the Massachusetts' Amateur that summer)is almost completely deleted. The idea that he was forced to give up the game never happened and it is even more ludicrous to paint him as almost a rank but talented beginner who had to intensify practice before a tournament as great as the Open Championship in order to compete. The real crux of the story lies in Ouimet's fantastic comeback on the back nine to tie the two legendary greats after freezing and throwing away a five shot lead, needing a two under par in a downpour: with a chip in!! (magically changed to beautiful sunlight in the film -same day-huh?) to accomplish his goal. That the incredible thrill ride of real life could be dampened by this Disneyfied cinematic account is something I can't fathom. The direction and conception here is awful and mangles what could have been greatness. I think their Hollywood desires to make the playoff the climax (which was 18 holes, not 36 and won rather handily by Ouimet-3 strokes, although Vardon's attempt to trick him did occur on that day) overode their ability, however feeble it was, to weave the great drama with the playoff into a better fabric. Thus much of Ouimet's greatness of achievement and real sense of stirrring adventure was lost.
After reading many comments here I concur that the insertion of the "romantic" element forced other important stories out of the picture, mainly McDermott and Hagen. The scenes with Reid make no sense unless you've read the book. Take away the girl and Reid, focus more on McDermott, Hagen, and the reality of Ouimet's temperament and experience, yet lack of it,(with the American obsession and anguish for a champion), focus more on the real golf drama and the film goes up three notches.
Very few golf stories, especially those of the premodern era, before everything is on some form of tape or recorded, lend themselves so readily to dramatic recreation as this one. That the film's creators were not up to the task, that this could have been something much more than a sanctified family film comes close to a tragedy.
That the event itself, revealing itself so well in Mr. Frost's book, is truly such an amazing one shines past all these faults to make me want to see it again. But that only makes me sadly think of what might have been.
The analogy is to the cartoon version of Lord of the Rings by Bakshi vs Peter Jackson's towering achievement years later.
There is no comparison. At least the film pushed me to read the book, and to open my eyes to the wonder of this amazing feat that unfolded as a real life fairy tale and wonderous accomplishement that occurred so many years ago.
And by the way Seabiscuit the movie for me carried the same disappointment in relationship to the book upon which it is based. These Hollywood filmakers seem consistently unable to make a great sports movie. Only a very few seem to pass the test. ("Hoosiers", others) Less achieve greatness as cinema (Think "The Hustler" or "Raging Bull".) The rest constantly trade in on sappiness.
P.S. I just got the DVD from the library after reading Frost's amazing book. That led me to revise this review. The film was unwatchable after the powerful craft Frost brought to the story, principly in the unfolding of the tourmament play itself. I remember vividly when I was twelve years old, having deeply immersed myself in Greek mythology. I went with friends to see a "Hercules" movie, cubbed in English starring Steve Reeves. Instead of the awe inspiring story I expected, I was treated to garbage. I nearly threw up. But my friends thought it was cool.
The Greatest Game...is a much more sincere effort and much more serious attempt yet as I have pointed out, to this movie watcher it is a terible failure. To anyone who watched this year's Masters, and the incrediblle excitement created by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson for two hours, can you genuinely say this movie came anywhere near those heights? Yet THIS STORY , especially as recounted by Frost, was far, far greater than this year's event.
Great moments in history deserve storytellers who can match them. Since that is my profession, perhaps I am more sensitive and attuned than most. Read the book to really get it, if you wish. Though a nice try, this film gets C- at best. And that's a shame for such a tremendous true life tale.
DVD Review: Quick delivery and Received Exactly as told. Great Condition!
Summary: 5 Stars
The delivery was very quick. The DVD is new and received in a sealed container. I am very happy with the purchase. Great to work with.
thank you
DVD Review: Greatest Movie Ever Rented!
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie awakens the slumbering soul, heats up the hungry heart and leaves you teary-eyed at the end. It's a story so powerful, so moving, so magnificent that you have to wonder who imagined it - except it's true!
I have learned lately to view movies with what God might have in mind for me in experiencing them, and with "Greatest Game" the first thing that came to mind was the reminder to fight for your dreams. To embrace the gifts God has given me and realize it will be a fight to reach them. And as so often is the case the people who are supposed to be closest to us, with Francis Ouimet it is his own father that wounds his heart and spirit in deep and significant ways. The Father Wound is a huge part of this story, along with class wars, and you can't help but feel moved by Harry Vardon and Francis' ability to overcome the social stigmas of not being born into the right class of society and always being treated as second class by the "gentlemen" of their day.
The movie is fast-paced, the golf action and special effects fantastic, and like any good sports movie you are captured by the characters and the glory of the game itself. There's also a nice blend of humor and wisdom mixed in at just the right moments.
I can't say enough good things about this movie - fantastic is the only word that comes to mind. A wonderful tale that will stir your heart to dream big dreams and inspire your soul to chase after the desires God has set in your heart!
-- By John Nemo, author of the golf novel Miller's Miracle along with The King's Game, Jumper and (Mostly) True Stories: 47 Essays on the Laughter of Life
DVD Review: The Greatest Game Ever Played DVD review
Summary: 3 Stars
This is based upon a true story of a poor boy living across the street from an exclusive golf course in the 1930's who caddied as a boy. He was found to have a rare natural talent for golf when some of the local gentlemen saw his skill. His dad was very against the pursuit of golf, thinking it to be a waste of time and that it was senseless to have dreams, but more valuable to go to work. He ended up ultimately joining the US open tournament as winning against huge odds and very little support.
I love movies based on true stories, and I did really like this film. The one drawback for me, is it seemed slow paced and a sense that they had to really draw it out to make it the length of a movie. I also didn't like that the main character didn't express what was going on with him very much, I believe that part could have been filled out more and made it more interesting.
Overall, I'd recommend the movie, especially if you like golf and sporting films based on true stories. This isn't a movie I'd probably watch a second time however.
Description of The Greatest Game Ever Played
From Walt Disney Pictures comes THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED . . . the crowd-pleasing underdog epic that's based on an inspirational true story! Young amateur golfer Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf -- HOLES, I ROBOT) has nothing but talent and a seemingly impossible dream to challenge the world's greatest player, his idol Harry Vardon. Soon, with the help of his spunky 10-year-old caddy Eddie, Francis boldly breaks down all barriers with a thrilling display of unrivaled drive, skill, and heart . . . and challenges the golf pro for the U.S. Open Championship!You wouldn't think a movie that uses the game of golf as a metaphor for class struggle could be so entertaining. The Greatest Game Ever Played stars the charming Shia LaBeouf (Holes) as Francis Ouimet, a golfer who, in 1913, rose from caddy to U.S. Open champion at the age of 20--despite the resistance of the powers that be, who thought it unseemly for a lower-class plebian to play the sport of gentlemen. Ouimet's main competitor is Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane, The Hours), a British professional, still considered one of the greatest players of all time, who fought his own class battles. The two go head to head in a genuinely gripping match, deftly balanced against the juxtapositions of their personal struggles. Is it sentimental and formulaic? Is the outcome a foregone conclusion? Yes, but it doesn't matter--formulas exist because, when executed with verve and dexterity, they work. Bill Paxton, best known as an actor (One False Move, Apollo 13), steps into the director's chair and hits all the right notes, aided by an excellent cast playing colorful characters, a vivid recreation of the time period, glowing cinematography, and an expert pace. The Greatest Game Ever Played works. --Bret Fetzer
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