When it comes to sports being transfer into movies it can very often go very wrong and there have been numerous attempts with disastrous results. However, there have been a few that have been simply brilliant and the majority of those have come in the form of American Football movies. So, we decided to compile a list of our top 5 American Football movies of all time.
5. The Program
Many of you will no doubt question the inclusion of The Program due to its lack of commercial success but we believe that it is a sports film that has everything. Released in 1993, The Program starred James Caan and Halle Berry and centred around the lives of those involved in a major University Football team. The Program has it all, from the onfield antics, to steroid abuse with a love story thrown in for good measure. A very enjoyable film and well worthy of a top 5 spot.
4. The Replacements
Again, another surprise inclusion but we believe that the performance of Keanu Reeves in The Replacements is one of his best ever and when you watch the dancing scene in the prison cell you cannot help but laugh at his dancing skills. The Replacements was released in 2000 and, as well as Keanu Reeves, also starred Gene Hackman and Brooke Langton. The movie centres around a player strike where replacement players are brought in to take the place of the pros. A fun movie which does not take itself too seriously and has some great Football scenes.
3. Invincible
The legendary story of Vince Papale, the 30 year old bartender from South Philadelphia who overcame incredible odds to win a place on the NFL Philadelphia Eagles team back in 1976. Released in 2006, Invincible stars Mark Wahlberg, Elizabeth Banks and Greg Kinnear and anybody who knows anything about American Football will love this movie. It is a very touching underdog tale and the fact that it is based on a true story makes it all the more enjoyable.
2. Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights was released in 2004 and is based on the book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream written by H.G. Bissinger. The story centres around The Permian High Panthers, a high school football team from Odessa, Texas and how football affects the people of the town. Friday Night Lights stars Billy Bob Thornton and Garrett Hedlund and along with it being a great movie, it also has a fantastic soundtrack. A must watch for any Football fan and for anyone looking to see a good movie.
1. The Longest Yard
Don’t worry, we are not talking about the distinctly average Adam Sandler remake, we are of course talking about the 1974 Oscar nominated Burt Reynolds movie. The movie was directed by Robert Aldrich and is simple a joy to watch from beginning to end. The Longest Yard centres around a former Pro quarterback who is now serving time in prison and is asked by the warden to put together a team of inmates to play against the guards and to get beat. Not only is The Longest Yard, in our opinion, the greatest American Football movies ever made but it is also one of the greatest prison movies ever made. If you have not seen the original version of The Longest Yard you are truly missing out!
