Watch The Last Play at Shea

The Last Play at Shea is a documentary film from 2010, directed by Paul Crowder and produced by Nigel Sinclair, that chronicles the history of Shea Stadium and its significance to New York City and the world of baseball. The film features interviews with former New York Mets players, musicians, and fans, including Billy Joel, who played the last concert ever held at Shea Stadium before it was demolished.

The documentary takes the audience on a journey through the different eras of Shea Stadium, from its inception as a vision of then Mets owner Joan Payson, to its heyday in the 1960s and 70s as the home of the New York Mets and the site of some of the most memorable moments in baseball history. The film also explores the cultural impact of Shea Stadium, from the 1965 Beatles concert to the role it played in bringing together diverse communities in a rapidly changing city.

One of the most interesting aspects of The Last Play at Shea is the way it weaves together the histories of Shea Stadium and the New York Mets with the larger cultural and social changes taking place in New York City and the country as a whole. The film shows how the Mets and Shea Stadium came to symbolize a sort of gritty, blue-collar spirit that was a counterpoint to the more polished and affluent image of the New York Yankees. The Mets were a team of underdogs and misfits, and Shea Stadium was a stadium with a rough-hewn charm that reflected the city it served.

The Last Play at Shea also explores the way that Shea Stadium and the Mets served as a symbol of hope and resilience during some of the darkest moments in New York City's history. The film takes a poignant look at the aftermath of 9/11, and how the Mets' run to the World Series in 2001 brought a sense of healing and unity to a city that was still reeling from the attacks. The Last Play at Shea is a film that celebrates the triumphs, both big and small, of a stadium, a team, and a city that have all weathered their fair share of adversity.

One of the strengths of The Last Play at Shea is the way it seamlessly blends interviews with archival footage and photographs, creating a rich and immersive experience for the viewer. The film is also notable for its use of music, particularly the work of Billy Joel. Joel, a lifelong Mets fan who grew up near Shea Stadium, provides a musical score and performs several songs, including "New York State of Mind," "Movin' Out," and "Piano Man." These musical interludes lend a personal and emotional dimension to the film, and emphasize the way that the history of Shea Stadium and the New York Mets is deeply intertwined with the cultural and musical history of the city.

Overall, The Last Play at Shea is a fascinating and engrossing documentary that will appeal to fans of baseball, music, and the city of New York. The film is a love letter to a stadium and a team that have meant so much to so many people, and a poignant reminder of the way that sports and culture can come together to create something that transcends the sum of its parts. The Last Play at Shea is a film that honors the legacy of Shea Stadium and the New York Mets and makes the case for their continued importance to the fabric of American culture.

The Last Play at Shea is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.