With most of the world’s sporting action temporaily on hold due to the deadly Coronivirus, here’s what you could do for your daily dose of sport – watch a sports movie! Here are a few of our favourites (in no particular order)
Rocky (1976) – Sport: Boxing. Starring: Sylvester Stallone. Running time: 119 min. This is a huge underdog story about a fighter with heart. Powerful, moving and unforgettable. So popular it led the way to four sequels and three spin-offfs.
Chariots of Fire (1981) – Sport: Athletics. Starring: Ben Cross, Ian Charlton, Ian Holm, John Geilgud. Running time: 125 min. A memorable narrative about overcoming adversity and prejudice through determination. Lots of running and a great score.
Seabiscuit (2003) – Sport: Horse racing. Starring: Toby McGuire, Jeff Bridges. Running time: 140 min. A story of triumph, not just for a legendary horse, but also for the cast based on real-life characters. Classic Hollywood entertainment.
Tin Cup (1996) – Sport: Golf. Starring: Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, Cheech Marin. Running time: 133 min. I like the way the movie takes an upward turn when a could-be golf star falls in love and to prove himself to her returns to compete in the US Open.
The Karate Kid (1984) – Sport: Martial Arts. Starring: Ralph Macchio, Noryuki Morita. Running time: 126 min. Rescued from high-school bullies by a Japanese janitor, a newcomer to California, is taught to embrace karate as a skill and not for brutal purposes.
Bend It Like Beckham (2003) – Sport: Football. Starring Parminder Nagra, Kiera Knightley. Running time: 110 min. Fearing their parents will not approve of their love for football, two girls lead a double life as students and footballers. A movie full of cheer.
Invictus (2009) – Sport: Rugby. Starring: Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman. Running time: 134 min. Morgan Freeman’s brilliant depiction of South African president Nelson Mandela who used the 1995 Rugby World Cup to unite a nation struggling to shed the tag of apartheid is nothing short of epic.
Remember the Titans (2000) – Sport: American football. Starring: Denzil Washington, Will Patton. Running time: 114 min. A team of players are taught not just how to improve their game but on how to overcome racism. Inspiring to the core.
Escape to Victory (1981) – Sport: Football. Starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, Max von Sydow, Pele. Running time: 117 min. An epic sports-war film about Allied prisoners is brilliantly brought to the screen by the incomparable John Huston and a star-studded cast and some legendary footballers.