Watch The Other Dream Team

The Other Dream Team is a documentary film that explores the journey of the Lithuanian national basketball team during the 1992 Summer Olympics. The team was made up of former Soviet Union basketball players who had become Lithuanian citizens after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The film begins by setting the political and historical context of Lithuania's struggle for independence from the Soviet Union. It then goes on to explain how the national basketball team became a symbol of Lithuania's newfound freedom and identity. The team was led by Sarunas Marciulionis and Arvydas Sabonis, two of the best basketball players in Europe at the time.

The film delves into the personal stories of the players, including their struggles growing up in Soviet-controlled Lithuania and the challenges they faced transitioning to a new country and a new way of life. We see how the team came together and developed a deep bond, united by their shared love of basketball and their desire to represent their country on the world stage.

The documentary also highlights the role basketball played in Lithuanian culture and identity. We see footage of packed arenas and passionate fans, who saw the team as a source of national pride and hope for the future. The team's success on the court was not just a matter of athletic achievement, but also a way of asserting their cultural identity in the face of Soviet suppression.

The heart of the film is the team's journey to the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Against all odds, the Lithuanian team played their way to the bronze medal game, where they faced off against the unstoppable "Dream Team" of the United States. This game is often remembered for the iconic image of the Lithuanian players wearing tie-dye t-shirts with the Grateful Dead's trademark skull and roses. The film explains how this came about, and how the tie-dye shirts became a symbol of the team's rebel spirit and independence.

The climax of the film is the bronze medal game itself, which is shown in full. The game is a thrilling back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with the Lithuanians putting up a valiant fight against the star-studded American squad. The film does an excellent job of capturing the tension and excitement of the game, as well as the emotions of the players and the fans.

Overall, The Other Dream Team is a powerful and inspiring film that celebrates the human spirit and the power of sport to bring people together. It is a must-see for sports fans and anyone interested in the intersection of sports, politics, and culture. The film is expertly crafted, with stunning visuals and an engaging narrative that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

The Other Dream Team is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.3 and a MetaScore of 69.