Encyclopedia of Sports Films

K Edgington; Thomas Erskine; James M. Welsh

doi:10.5771/9780810876538

Summary

Whether chronicling an athlete's rise, fall, and redemption or following a team's improbable triumph on the field, sports have been a favorite theme of filmmakers almost since movies were first produced. And whether focusing on soccer (Bend It Like Beckham), boxing (Rocky and its sequels), hockey (Slap Shot), baseball (Bull Durham), football (The Longest Yard), basketball (Hoosiers), cycling (Breaking Away), or tennis (Wimbledon), such films capture the competition and thrill of sport. All major films with a primary focus on athletic endeavor are contained in Encyclopedia of Sports Films. In this volume, more than 200 fictional feature-length movies released between 1925 and 2010 are described, including comedies, dramas, and biopics. While the focus is on Hollywood productions, independent films and foreign releases are also represented. Though boxing and baseball films have tended to dominate the genre, many other sports are also included here, including skiing, curling, and cricket.

Arranged alphabetically by title, each main entry contains a synopsis of the film, principal production information, and a critical analysis. In addition to the main entries, credits and brief descriptions for more than 200 films are also provided. DVD and VHS distributors are included, if available. Appendixes include made-for-television movies, documentaries, and films based on or inspired by true events and persons. For teachers who wish to incorporate films into their lesson plans, as well as librarians ordering titles for their patrons, Encyclopedia of Sports Films will be a valuable resource.

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Bibliographic data

Copyright year: 2010
ISBN-Print: 978-0-8108-7652-1
ISBN-Online: 978-0-8108-7653-8
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham
Language: English
Pages: 552
Product type: Book Titles

1. CONTENTS No access
2. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS No access
3. INTRODUCTION No access
A No access Pages 1 - 23
B No access Pages 24 - 81
C No access Pages 82 - 117
D No access Pages 118 - 138
E No access Pages 139 - 151
F No access Pages 152 - 184
G No access Pages 185 - 215
H No access Pages 216 - 239
I No access Pages 240 - 251
J No access Pages 252 - 261
K No access Pages 262 - 270
L No access Pages 271 - 299
M No access Pages 300 - 328
N No access Pages 329 - 340
O No access Pages 341 - 347
P No access Pages 348 - 372
R No access Pages 373 - 411
S No access Pages 412 - 450
T No access Pages 451 - 467
U No access Pages 468 - 468
V No access Pages 469 - 471
W No access Pages 472 - 493
Y No access Pages 494 - 494
APPENDIX A: FILMS BY SPORT No access Pages 495 - 500
APPENDIX B: CHRONOLOGICAL TITLE LIST No access Pages 501 - 506
APPENDIX C: MOVIES MADE FOR TELEVISION OR DIRECT TO VIDEO No access Pages 507 - 510
APPENDIX D: MOVIES INSPIRED BY OR BASED UPON ACTUAL EVENTS No access Pages 511 - 514
APPENDIX E: SPORTS DOCUMENTARIES No access Pages 515 - 516
APPENDIX F: ESPY AWARDS FOR BEST SPORTS MOVIE No access Pages 517 - 518
BIBLIOGRAPHY No access Pages 519 - 524
INDEX No access Pages 525 - 550
ABOUT THE AUTHORS No access Pages 551 - 552