Movie Info:
Writer: Mark Frost
Director: Bill Paxton
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Stephen Dillane, Josh Flitter, Peter Firth, Peyton List, Elias Koteas, Len Cariou, Stephen Marcus, Max Kasch
Rating: PG
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release Info:
Theatrical Release: September 30, 2005
DVD Release Date: June 16, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $23.99
I am a huge sports fan, but not a huge fan of sports movies. There are sports movies I love and then there are sports movies that I can tolerate. When you mention the words golf and movie to me in the same sentence, I begin to get apprehensive. I don’t know why, but the idea of a stimulating golf movie is hard for me to imagine. I suppose it is because for it to be considered a golfing movie, the film has to spend a considerable amount of time showing golfing or filming on the course. I just don’t see a lot of riveting plots going on during a golf game.
The Greatest Game Ever Played is a true story about one of the greatest games (if not the greatest) played in golf history. In 1913, a nobody won the US Open against numerous American challengers and a couple of British men that were shoe-ins to win. They didn’t win though. A 20 year old kid that lived across from the course won. Golf was his passion and he played like a pro, even if he wasn’t at the time. His dedication allowed him to win and decades later they decided to make a movie about his story.
The major downfall to a movie like this is that you automatically know what is going to happen. You see Ouimet working as a caddy as a child. You see how important golf is to him. From that point on, knowing that this is his story, you can surmise that no matter what happens, he will win that final game and it will be amazing. Of course, as far as downfalls go it’s not so bad.
Another downfall, one that is actually more prevalent in my mind, has to do with the writing. As I stated, much of the film revolves around golf. In that sense, it either deals with actual golf or a look into the gentleman’s game and how lower class (in an economic sense) individuals did not play golf. For example, Ouimet is often called “caddy boy” by members of the club where he is playing in the Open. They don’t care that he is representing them. It’s more of an issue that someone deemed working class would be able to play at all, much less beat them with ease.
In the midst of this, an attraction with a higher class girl is thrown in. This would be fine, except that it feels like she is nothing more than a filler. The relationship is never fully explored. It’s just there and then gone only to show up again when the plot is feeling slow or when the writer wants to add in that extra something. With the way they have this portion of the plot it would have been better leaving the girl out.
I realize I spent a good deal of time criticizing The Greatest Game, though I only bothered to point these things out because there are just as many good things about this movie. The acting is superb. I did not take notice of LaBeouf until recently, in the last few years, but I can honestly say that I would have sat up and noticed him if I would have seen this when it came out. LaBeouf is backed up with a competent supporting cast and is led by a strong director, Bill Paxton. While The Greatest Game is not a movie that I would have expected to like, I did enjoy it. It’s not the best movie I have ever seen, but I certainly would not hesitate to watch it a second time.
The Greatest Game Ever Played Plot
This is one of Disney’s feel good, family friendly, based on a true story type of movies. The film revolves around a young golfer by the name of Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf). In 1913, Ouimet, an amateur golfer/caddy, is given the chance to compete in the 1913 U.S. Open. Ouimet faces an exceeding amount of pressure, prejudice, and people are sure he’s going to lose miserably at the Open.
Ouimet’s struggle is parallel to the struggle of another, amazing golfer, and Ouimet’s idol, Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane). Vardon was from lower class society. Despite being an amazing golfer, nearly a decade prior, a young Vardon was not good enough to be a part of British, high society. This is the same kind of prejudice Ouimet faces, but because of his age not his class status.
Francis has other problems on his plate though. His father thinks playing golf is a joke. The two fight and Francis agrees to quit playing golf, forever, and get a real job at his father’s request. When something happens that is nearly too good to be true, Francis has no choice but to return to the game he loves and excels at. He is invited to the U.S. Open, which is happening in Brookline, Massachusetts at a country club across the street from his home. At the open, Francis truly does get the chance to show what he can do while playing the greatest game ever played.
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Audio/Visual:
The visual quality for the Blu-ray The Greatest Game Ever Played is pretty good. The picture is in anamorphic widescreen using an AVC MPEG-4 encode, presented at a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and features a 1080p screen resolution. I wasn’t disappointed by this transfer though I’m not sure I can say I was wowed by it, either. It’s hard to be wowed by a non-action Blu-Ray. Still, the picture quality looks good. The scenery is incredibly lush with painted backgrounds that complement the golf theme. The vibrant greens and earthy tones are brilliantly displayed. Fleshtones look realistic. The darker hues are kept to a minimum with little darkness presented on screen. Overall, everything looks good.
The audio for this is primarily presented in English DTS-HD MA 5.1. The dialogue is interspersed with a beautifully effective score. The sounds of the dialogue and music came through beautifully. I didn’t toggle the volume at all once the movie was on, meaning the sounds all balance out well without one sound overpowering the other. There were not a lot of sound effects save for scenic ones like roaring crowds, swishing golf balls and rustling trees. Still, even the quietest sound is heard with utmost precision.
There are two additional tracks, both Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks in Spanish and French. Subtitles are available in English, Spanish, and French.
Visual:
Audio:
Bonus Features:
There are a few different bonuses included on this Blu-ray. Here is a list of the bonuses with a description of each of them.
“A View from the Gallery”: This is a featurette lasting around a quarter of an hour in length. The featurette is actually rather enjoyable. It includes interviews with the cast and crew of the movie about making it and other aspects of production. Your ultimate tour is led by Bill Paxton. This featurette could have and should have been so much longer, but they really pack it in when giving out information on this movie. Overall, one of the better Disney featurettes I’ve seen.
Feature Length Audio Commentary with Bill Paxton: This commentary is full of information. I’ve always been a fan of Paxton and it’s nice to hear that he really knows what he is talking about. Sometimes, actors make the best directors and Paxton has put together quite the movie. Paxton is incredibly passionate about this movie and its offerings. He is willing to share everything he felt while making this movie, what he intended to portray from frame to frame, tidbits on the location used to portray 1913 America, and other fascinating facts. This is a great commentary and one that will be quite enjoyable for fans of this movie and Paxton.
Additional Commentary with writer/producer Mark Frost: This is not nearly as exciting as Paxton’s commentary, but it does come from a totally different perspective. This looks at how the book written by Frost was adapted by him into a screenplay. It also discusses how historically accurate the story is and explores Frost’s knowledge of the game of golf. While this is an interesting listen it’s not nearly as engaging as the commentary offered by Paxton. Still, it’s worth a listen at least once.
“Two Legends and the Greatest Game”: This featurette comes in at a little over five minutes. This also features Mark Frost and it looks at the rivalry between Francis Ouimet and Harry Vardon. This uses old photographs of the pair to discuss the men, their personalities and abilities while playing golf.
“From Caddie to Champion: Frances Ouimet”: Almost a half hour in length, this aired in 1963. It features an interview with Ouimet, who by this point is 70 years old. Ouimet discusses his golfing career and his life in the world of golf. This was my favorite featurette in this set.
Bonus Features:
Bottom Line:
The Greatest Game Ever Played may not be the greatest game in the eyes of everyone, though that is certainly true when it comes to golf. The event that happened in 1913 is one that you would not expect to see today. While the rules of the game have changed, much of it has stayed the same. Disney does a nice job of bringing this well acted, semi-entertaining film to Blu-ray. Fans of the film will definitely want to pick this up if they do not already own it. If you already have a copy, upgrading will depend on your interest in having a better quality with some engaging special features.
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Written by Ashtyn Evans – Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn attends Wright State where she is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.
