The Miracle Match (DVD, 2006)

What is not to love?? Gerard Butler and great soccer all in one movie. I bought this because my daughter and I enjoy GB movies (who else can sing the Phantom, goalkeep and play Beowulf believably??) I am British and my daughters have always enjoyed playing soccer, and one is a goalkeeper. I was not allowed to play being a girl, as there were no teams when I was young. This movie is a gem. It is inspirational and the soccer is not just a bunch of actors who try to play, they are all excellent players, so it is believable. GB is incredible as the hero goal keeper. Highly recommend to soccer lovers!!

I can give a little background about the film. Most of it was filmed in St. Louis, MO, in the Italian section of town known as "the Hill", where many of the star players of the team grew up. Most of the buildings seen are actually standing and in use today, there may have been minor alterations to take them back to the proper look for the time of the film, but very few were "sets". The church where the funeral was held is St. Ambrose, the anchor of the Hill. The extras in the film were mostly St. Louisans, the priest at the cemetery in the film is a well known local priest, and several other well known local people were in the film. The actual players from the 1950 team were in the film too, in several scenes such as the wedding scene, which made it quite comical as they were in the crowd when the actors playing them were there too. It was interesting to see the film when released to see how many local people and landmarks we could find.

As far as the quality as a sports film, I don't feel qualified to judge that aspect as I am not a soccer fan. It was a good movie, although the outcome is obvious. The side stories of the players could have been developed a little better. By the way, at the premier showing, the wife of one of the players laughed hysterically at something in the movie regarding her and her husband's courting or marriage, I can't remember what it was, but everyone in the theater heard her laugh, and you knew exactly who it was! It was quite funny! Having the actors and some of the original players there for a Q&A session after the showing was fun, I hope some of that is included on the DVD.

This is a a beautifully filmed movie about a 50's sports team battling impossible odds. The formula for a super sports movie is a little more difficult to explore when the game is soccer and the winning goal happens early in the match. However, what I love the most in the movie is the way the era is captured, with clean cut young men and healthy comradary. The country was going to war, and the nation felt a need to support the U.S.A., no matter what their mission.
The movie was originally called Games of Their Lives, and opened to limited theaters in 2005. Gerard Butler, once again, gives us a stellar performance as the goal keeper.

This movie is great for all the sports history buffs out there. It is very well written and acted. I am not much of a Soccer Fan. But this movie did have me cheering them on in the end. It was an honor to watch it.

Was an ok movie. Not enough detail of this amazing team, could have told much more of the story. The movie left me hanging of how far this team went

This is a nice movie, certainly worth watching, but of course because it's a true story the game at the end does not get the Hollywood touch. Fans of the sport should enjoy the film but don't expect a fast paced, powerful ending.

"Miracle Match" may never get an Oscar nod, but if you're looking for a good, feel-good family story, this is it. If you're a fan of the underdog or of sports movies, you'll be glad you picked up this one. You care about the characters and their impossible dream of making the World Cup. The soccer scenes are fast and furious, the character tension tangible. I admittedly bought this because it stars Gerard Butler, but I'll be watching it again and again because it's just a darn good movie.

This is a common plot for a movie, but it is real , and it did happen ! It also helps that , one of the actors( Nino De Silva ) is a soccer coach ,for the Chicago Sockers FC in Chicago. He is one of my daughters coaches.. A class individual!!!!

I never received it. I notifoed my crediit card company and they ate looking into the matter. I would not recommend this seller to enyone else, I have purchased other stuff from Ebay and have never this problem before.

This is a really good movie, I've been involved in soccer all my life and have been coaching for 4 and a half years. I would recommend this movie to any soccer fan and coach who has or knows a team who hasn't won a game all season. This is one of those films that shows you anything is possible, even when you don't think that something could ever happen it can and it does if you beleive in yourself and your team.

Enjoyed seeing some familiar places in St. Louis and hearing names we knew when we lived there. Enjoyed it.