Watch Spirit Of The Game
- PG
- 2016
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5.3 (304)
Spirit of the Game is an Australian sports drama film set in the 1956 Olympic Games held in Melbourne, where the Australian basketball team competes against the United States team in an intense matchup. The film tells the true story of a group of Mormon missionaries who are enlisted by the Australian coach and given the opportunity to play for their country in the Olympic Games.
The movie begins with a group of enthusiastic young men gathered around their coach, who tells them that they have been selected to represent Australia in the basketball category at the Olympics. However, the coach gives them a challenging task; they must train hard and improve their game, as they are going to be up against the best players in the world.
The team of amateur basketball players is led by Frank Johnson (Rudi Baker), a Mormon missionary from Salt Lake City, Utah. The other members include players like Kevin (Bailey Barbour), the team captain, and Luke (Damian Summerfield), the star forward. The team's coach, Tom Fox (Mark Mitchell), is an Australian who also happens to be a Mormon.
The film follows the team's journey as they leave Salt Lake City for Melbourne, and the challenges they face as they adjust to a new culture and playing style. They arrive in Australia expecting a warm welcome, but instead, they are greeted with hostility and racism, with many people accusing them of not being a "real" Australian team.
Despite the animosity and discrimination, the team continues to train hard and eventually win over the hearts of the Australian public with their impressive basketball skills and unrelenting spirit. They become a symbol of hope and unity in a country that is still grappling with the aftermath of World War II.
The highlight of the film is undoubtedly the intense basketball game between Australia and the United States. The game takes place in a packed stadium, and the tension is palpable as the two teams battle it out for the gold medal. The film does an excellent job of capturing the excitement and drama of the game, with amazing camera work and a rousing soundtrack.
The acting in the film is top-notch, with Rudi Baker giving a standout performance as Frank Johnson, the team's leader. The supporting cast also delivers fantastic performances, with Mark Mitchell bringing both authority and warmth to the role of coach Tom Fox. Heidi Arena plays Sister Tamsin, a Mormon missionary who befriends the team and provides them with a much-needed support system.
The cinematography in the film is beautiful, with sweeping shots of both Salt Lake City and Melbourne that capture the contrasting cultures and way of life of the two cities. The basketball scenes are also shot with skill, with the camera following the ball as it moves across the court, giving us a front-row seat to the action.
Overall, Spirit of the Game is an inspiring film that celebrates the power of sports and the human spirit. It is a tribute to the underdogs who worked against all odds and emerged victorious, and a reminder that with determination, courage, and a never-say-die attitude, anything is possible.
Spirit Of The Game is a 2016 drama. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.