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Gerard Butler, Wes Bentley, Jay Rodan, Gavin Rossdale, Costas Mandylor ... see more see more... , Louis Mandylor , Zachery Ty Bryan , Jimmy Jean-Louis , Patrick Stewart , Terry Kinney , John Rhys-Davies , Tim Vickery , Pat Noonan , Ben Olsen , Eddie Pope , Jason Kreis , Freddy Adu , Chris Albright , Clint Dempsey , Landon Donovan , Alecko Eskandarian , John Harkes , Chris Klein , Damani Ralph , Nelson Vargas , Mike Bacarella , Richard Jenik , Rosemary Garris

In 1950, most Americans had only a passing familiarity with the game of soccer, even though it was the world's most popular sport, and few athletes in the United States played the game with any partic... read more read more...ular degree of expertise. However, when an invitation was extended to the United States to participate in the World Cup tournament in Brazil -- the international soccer championship held every four years -- Bill Jeffrey was determined that America participate. In less than two weeks, Jeffrey assembled a team comprised mostly of players from St. Louis (where soccer had developed a small but loyal following) and the East Coast (where the game gained a foothold on college campuses), with immigrants from Haiti, Portugal, and Scotland filling out the ranks. Against all odds, the Americans not only made it to the World Cup games, but defeated the British team (favored by many to win the championship) in the greatest upset of the 1950 games. The Game of Their Lives is a sports drama based on the remarkable true story of the 1950 United States team, featuring John Rhys-Davies as Bill Jeffrey, Wes Bentley as team leader Walter Bahr, Gerard Butler as goalie Frank Borghi, Jimmy Jean-Louis as Joe Gaetiens, a dishwasher born in Haiti who found his way onto the team, and Patrick Stewart as a journalist covering the games. David Anspaugh, who made the acclaimed basketball drama Hoosiers, directed. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

3,893 ratings

Critics

26% liked it

35 critics

PG, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: David Anspaugh, Daniel Gordon

Release Date: April 22, 2005

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DVD Release Date: September 12, 2006

Stats: 226 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (226)

  • itsjustme2004
    April 4, 2012
    itsjustme2004
    My problem with this movie is that the main actors are around 15 or 20 years older than the characters they are supposed to be playing. So they look like midlife people but they are dealing with issues as if they were fresh out of high school. I think they would have been better ... read moreoff casting it w/ college-aged soccer players. I am usually a big fan of movies like this one, but for some reason this movie didn't quite do it for me. It was ok. Extra 1/2 star for Gerard Butler and Gavin Rossdale...I do like them.
  • kevsammal
    July 18, 2007
    kevsammal
    Nice flick, although I expected better soccer aptitudes from these 'athletic' actors.
    Stewart's imitation of an American accent was flawed in some moments, but still I admire his acting experience overall.
    Gavin Rossdale doesn't seem believable; perhaps he's better suited to writ... read moreing simple grunge songs (a decade ago).
  • jo3244
    April 4, 2012
    jo3244
    I loved this movie despite Gerry having less of his accent. This was such a well done movie and the fact that they played in the rain and all other elements was particular;y exciting to me. I felt the frustration and happiness when they played. Well done.
  • losingallcontrol
    April 4, 2012
    losingallcontrol
    Not exactly the best sports movie. And it tends to move slow with little reason to want to keep watching. With so many great actors in this film I expected so much more. I was bored and not entertained through out. :(
  • TessaT
    August 31, 2007
    TessaT
    Very inspiring film, love soccer, and the bond between the men on the team. Gerry does a great job bonding them all together.
  • StaisilD
    July 24, 2007
    StaisilD
    I found The Game of Their Lives to be a solid film. It's a product of the same mind that brought us "Rudy" and "Hoosiers" and one can expect similar results. It tells the tale of the 1950 US World Cup team that shockingly beat England (though did not win the World Cup itself) It ... read morebegins in St Louis, providing backgrounds and insight into the lives and families of the St Louisians who later will be on the World Cup Team.

    Strong performances from Wes Bentley and Gerard Butler lead this film to the final victory. Bentley and Butler portray the leaders of the team (Walter Bahr and Frank Borghi, respectively) with likability and believability. The supporting cast that rounds out the team also turn out performances that will keep you involved with wanting to route for this team. Don't expect an electric atmosphere, however, as this story is told from a reporter reminiscing.

    The Game of Their Lives offers character development for the team members without ever straying from the subject at hand. Through their actions on and off the field, the audience can get a taste for who these men were. Much homage and respect is also deservingly paid to England for their magnificent history in the sport. This is not one of those ports films that serves to make the United States seem over glorious and under mind the greatness of England, as many assume it will. I for one walked away from this film with a greater respect for England and what they've done, and continue to do, for the sport .
  • JenNumero2
    May 19, 2007
    JenNumero2
    If you're trying to find this movie and aren't having any luck, Another title this movie goes by is "Miracle Match"
  • SJohns2624
    April 2, 2007
    SJohns2624
    Since this was based on a true story, I actually got really worked up about it. I even cried at the end. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good, true movie.
  • xvmomid
    November 13, 2006
    xvmomid
    this is a great movie with no bad language, and one of my favorites. i would recommend it to anyone i know

View All The Game of Their Lives Reviews

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper
April 25, 2005
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

Director David Anspaugh has a skilled touch, but there's just not that much drama to film. This is a very competent, very predictable sports film. Full Review

Peter Hartlaub
April 22, 2005
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

...disappointingly mediocre... Full Review

Robert Koehler
April 22, 2005
Robert Koehler, Variety

...lacks even a penalty kick's worth of tension and is paradoxically inert for a movie about guys running up and down the pitch for the glory of the U.S. Full Review

Wesley Morris
April 22, 2005
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

These guys give a sport that is virtually nameless in the movies a good name in this one. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
April 22, 2005
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

It's difficult to muster dislike for The Game of Their Lives, which is reasonably interesting, but it needed more grit and inspiration than this straightforward account can provide.

David Germain
April 22, 2005
David Germain, Denver Post

...this soccer tale is about as exciting to watch as a scoreless match between opponents so defense-minded the ball never gets beyond midfield. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
April 22, 2005
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

A reverent fable of such soothing proportions that it would be churlish to ask if America ever really looked like that -- or sounded like that, either:As an old sportswriter, Patrick Stewart tries out... Full Review

Kirk Honeycutt
April 22, 2005
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

The Game of Their Lives has a great sports story to tell, yet the filmmakers fumble it away.

Bruce Newman
April 21, 2005
Bruce Newman, San Jose Mercury News

A victory by the upstart U.S. team over a 'highly regarded' English squad in the 1950 World Cup is the basis for this extremely selective flashback.

Roger Ebert
April 21, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Game of Their Lives covers its story like an assignment, not like a mission. Full Review

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