People love watching sports movies. If they\u2019re based on a true story, then so much the better because sports movies show the audience that the protagonists are human, that they have struggles and must battle to overcome them. They\u2019re a wholesome form of content people can relate to. Audiences can picture themselves as that person and identify with the sense of struggle. Ultimately, sports movies forge an emotional connection with the audience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hollywood has produced some fine sports movies over the decades, especially ones based on true events. Below is a look at some of the best to have graced the silver screen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As far as biopics go, some would argue it doesn\u2019t get much more realistic and grittier than Raging Bull<\/em>, starring Robert De Niro and directed by Martin Scorsese. This film, shot in black and white, tells the story of middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper led him to greatness in the ring, but destroyed his life out of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The movie took in around $23.5 million<\/a> at the box office worldwide. That was on the back of an $18 million budget, so not one of Scorsese\u2019s most successful films by any stretch of the imagination. The film received mixed reviews. Some praised De Niro\u2019s performance and the editing, but others disliked the movie because of the violent content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We Are Marshall,<\/em> starring the ever-reliable Matthew McConaughey and directed by McG, is a somewhat cliched sports movie, but one that hits hard on an emotional level. The movie relates the true story of the Marshall University football team, who had to find a new coach and players after nearly all of its members died in a plane crash. The movie is tragic, uplifting and inspiring, all in one, as the new coach, Jack Lengyel, not only fights to keep the football program alive, but, through his work with the team, helps the community to move on from the tragedy and rebuild itself. If you\u2019d been checking any college football odds<\/a> at the time, you might have been hesitant to bet on the new team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The movie grossed around $45.5 million worldwide and, overall, received positive reviews. Many commented on the highly formulaic nature of the film, but very few denied the powerful impact of the story and the performances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rush<\/em>, directed by Ron Howard and starring Daniel Br\u00fchl as Niki Lauda and Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt, looks at the 1976 Formula One season and focus on the legendary rivalry between the two former Formula One drivers. It was a rivalry which pushed each driver to his limits and was so intense that Niki Lauda returned to the track just two races after a horrifying crash that almost killed him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Critics felt some of the drama was overdone in places of the film, but overall felt Rush <\/em>was a good piece of filmmaking. They noted that the driving scenes were intense and the whole film had the theme of risk and death hanging uncomfortably over it, but the film was highly engaging.\u00a0Watch Formula One in real life with F1 Tickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Famously remembered for its theme music by Vangelis, Chariots of Fire<\/em> recounts the story of two British athletes striving to win the 1924 Paris Olympics, but running for very different reasons. Eric Lidell, played by Ian Charleson, is a devout Christian running at God\u2019s \u201cpleasure,\u201d whereas Harold Abrahams, played by Ben Cross, is a Jew running to combat antisemitism. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWe Are Marshall<\/em> (2006)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rush<\/em> (2013)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Chariots of Fire<\/em> (1981)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n