If you’re enjoying The Last Dance, or even if you don’t care about sports, you will love these timeless documentaries.
The new Michael Jordan 10-parter on ESPN is already must-see TV for basketball fans, like its predecessor on OJ Simpson.
But the genre is stacked with essential films that transcend the courts, fields, race tracks. You don’t need to like or understand the game – nor spend 10 hours in front of the TV.
Here are three features that will astonish and satisfy whether you’re a sports fan or not:
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CLASSIC – HOOP DREAMS (1984)
The grandaddy of modern sports docs, Hoop Dreams is simply one of the greatest films of any genre.
It follows two talented inner city Chicago teens as they chase their NBA aspirations in the face of heartbreaking systemic inequalities that penetrate every aspect of their journey and choices.
Even today it is an eye-opening, enthralling and deeply-moving look at the American reality; basketball is almost incidental.
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | Hulu, HBO
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CROWDPLEASER – WHEN WE WERE KINGS (1996)
Next up is the daddy.
The iconic Dogtown and the Z-boys, the epic Senna and the groundbreaking Murderball are all worthy challengers. But when a Muhammad Ali at his showboating best is your star… it’s not a fair fight.
Blending the action and the cultural significance of the Rumble in the Jungle through mezmerising footage and insightful interviews, it’s as electrifying and beautiful as The Greatest himself.
RT: 98% | Hulu, Amazon Prime
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WILDCARD – SCREWBALL (2018)
It doesn’t get any wilder than the dumber-than-fiction backstory of Alex Rodriguez’ fall from grace.
With Screwball, the team behind cult Miami doc Cocaine Cowboys deliver the ultimate ‘Florida Man’ caper. A succession of shady – and jaw-droppingly chatty – hustlers tell how a mundane dispute comically escalated to blow open a fake doctor’s steroid scheme and bring down baseball’s biggest star.
Surreal, inventive and massively entertaining.
RT: 94% | Netflix
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