The Miracle Match
Encyclopedia
The Game of Their Lives is a 2005
American
drama film
directed by David Anspaugh
. The screenplay by Angelo Pizzo
is based on the book of the same title by Geoffrey Douglas.
which, against all odds, beat England
1-0
in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil during the World Cup
. The story is about the family traditions and passions that shaped the players who made up this team of underdogs. One group of teammates were from The Hill
neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri
. Another group came from the Corky Row district of Fall River, Massachusetts
.
(played by U.S. soccer player John Harkes
) was edited out of the captaincy he held in the match against England. McIlvenny moved to the United States in 1948, but returned to Britain in 1950 and played professional soccer for Manchester United
. McIlvenny captained the U.S. side to their 1-0 victory, but the producers of the film decided to give the position of captain to American-born Walter Bahr
.
Walter Bahr commented, "I was captain for about 10 years including the 1950 World Cup. But when we got to Brazil the first game was against Spain
and since my teammate Harry Keough
spoke Spanish, they made him captain. Against England, our coach Bill Jeffrey
, who was also Scottish-born, thought it would be a big feather in Eddie's cap to be captain. It was an honor for him and I think that was the proper thing to do. I was then captain for the last game against Chile
and for years to come. Yet in the film I'm captain, and that's wrong. I know Eddie's widow lives in East Sussex, and it is important she should know that an error has been made and Eddie really was the captain against England."
McIlvenny's widow, Sheila, was reported as saying: "It's disappointing, but what do you expect from Hollywood?...It is not the true story, not at all. I think he [McIlvenny] would have accepted it, but I don't think he would have been happy with it because it wasn't the truth".
2005 in film
- Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2005...
American
Cinema of the United States
The cinema of the United States, also known as Hollywood, has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. Its history is sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period...
drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by David Anspaugh
David Anspaugh
David Anspaugh is an American television and film director.Born in Decatur, Indiana, Anspaugh studied at Indiana University and the USC School of Cinematic Arts, after which he taught high school in Colorado. His work as an associate producer on television movies led to his producing and directing...
. The screenplay by Angelo Pizzo
Angelo Pizzo
Angelo Pizzo is an American screen writer and film producer, best known for Hoosiers and Rudy. Pizzo grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, the son of a Sicilian immigrant, and attended Indiana University where he received his bachelor degree in political science. He and his family lived in Ojai,...
is based on the book of the same title by Geoffrey Douglas.
Plot
The film details the true story of the 1950 US soccer teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
which, against all odds, beat England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
1-0
England v United States (1950)
On 29 June 1950, at the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the United States defeated England 1–0 in a group match. This unexpected result has led to the match being described as the "Miracle on Grass", in reference to the 1980 Miracle on Ice, in which the US ice hockey team beat the Soviet Union. The...
in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil during the World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
. The story is about the family traditions and passions that shaped the players who made up this team of underdogs. One group of teammates were from The Hill
The Hill, St. Louis
The Hill is a mostly Italian-American neighborhood within St. Louis, Missouri, located on high ground south of Forest Park. The official boundaries of the area are Manchester Avenue on the north, Columbia and Southwest Avenues on the south, South Kingshighway Boulevard on the east, and Hampton...
neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. Another group came from the Corky Row district of Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
.
Production
Among other historical inaccuracies in the film, Scotsman Ed McIlvennyEd McIlvenny
Edward John "Ed" McIlvenny , also known as Eddie McIlvenny, was a Scottish-American soccer player who most notably captained the United States national team in their 1–0 upset of England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.He learned the game as a youth and was selected to Scottish...
(played by U.S. soccer player John Harkes
John Harkes
John Harkes is an American former soccer player. Harkes was the first American ever to play in the English Premier League, and the second American to score at Wembley Stadium. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He appeared in two FIFA World Cup tournaments, and won two MLS Cup...
) was edited out of the captaincy he held in the match against England. McIlvenny moved to the United States in 1948, but returned to Britain in 1950 and played professional soccer for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. McIlvenny captained the U.S. side to their 1-0 victory, but the producers of the film decided to give the position of captain to American-born Walter Bahr
Walter Bahr
Walter Alfred Bahr is a retired American soccer player, considered one of the greatest ever in his country. He was the long-time captain of the U.S. national team and played in the 1950 FIFA World Cup when the U.S...
.
Walter Bahr commented, "I was captain for about 10 years including the 1950 World Cup. But when we got to Brazil the first game was against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
and since my teammate Harry Keough
Harry Keough
Harry Joseph Keough is a former American soccer defender who played on the United States national team in their 1–0 upset of England at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He spent most of his club career in his native St. Louis, winning a national junior championship, two U.S. Open Cup and seven National...
spoke Spanish, they made him captain. Against England, our coach Bill Jeffrey
William Jeffrey (soccer)
William "Bill" Jeffrey was the head coach of the 1950 United States World Cup team that famously beat England 1-0 in one of the greatest upsets in the history of soccer. He was the coach of Penn State for 26 seasons, winning ten national college championships...
, who was also Scottish-born, thought it would be a big feather in Eddie's cap to be captain. It was an honor for him and I think that was the proper thing to do. I was then captain for the last game against Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
and for years to come. Yet in the film I'm captain, and that's wrong. I know Eddie's widow lives in East Sussex, and it is important she should know that an error has been made and Eddie really was the captain against England."
McIlvenny's widow, Sheila, was reported as saying: "It's disappointing, but what do you expect from Hollywood?...It is not the true story, not at all. I think he [McIlvenny] would have accepted it, but I don't think he would have been happy with it because it wasn't the truth".
Historical inaccuracies
- The film's narrator, Dent McSkimmingDent McSkimmingFlorence Dent Archibald McSkimming was an American sportswriter for several St. Louis newspapers. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1951....
, died in 1976, so he wouldn't have been able to be telling story in 2004 (if he had still been alive by that time, he would have been 108 years old).
- Though it is portrayed as if the St. Louis group (Frank BorghiFrank BorghiFrank Borghi is a former American soccer player who earned nine caps at goalkeeper for the United States national team and played in the U.S. team's 1-0 victory over the hugely favored English in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.-Athletic career:Borghi started his sports career as a professional baseball...
, Charlie ColomboCharlie ColomboCharles Martin Colombo was an American soccer player who earned 11 caps as center half for the United States men's national soccer team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.Born and raised in The Hill area of St. Louis, Missouri, Colombo played professionally for St...
, Harry KeoughHarry KeoughHarry Joseph Keough is a former American soccer defender who played on the United States national team in their 1–0 upset of England at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He spent most of his club career in his native St. Louis, winning a national junior championship, two U.S. Open Cup and seven National...
, Gino ParianiGino ParianiVirginio “Gino” Peter Pariani was an American soccer striker. He earned 5 caps and scored 1 goal for the United States men's national soccer team, and played on the 1950 FIFA World Cup team, including the U.S. team's historic 1–0 victory over England. He was also a member of the U.S. Olympic...
and Frank WallaceFrank Wallace (soccer)Frank Valicenti, aka Frank "Pee Wee" Wallace, was an American international soccer player who played as forward. He earned 7 caps and scored 3 goals for the United States men's national soccer team, and played in the U.S. team's historic 1–0 victory over England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup...
) meets the other players for the first time during the national team try-outs in St. Louis in 1950, this was not the case. In fact, Charlie Colombo and Gino Pariani (and also a player from St. Louis that was omitted from the film, Robert AnnisRobert AnnisRobert “Bob” Joseph Annis was an American soccer defender. He was a member of both the 1948 United States Olympic soccer team and the U.S. team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame....
) had participated in the 1948 OlympicsFootball at the 1948 Summer OlympicsThe 1948 Olympic Games title was won by Sweden, managed by Englishman George Raynor.-Summary:Sweden, whose Football Association forbade professionalism within domestic football, ran out as winners and only used 12 players throughout the entire tournament but there were exceptional performances put...
in London together with Walter BahrWalter BahrWalter Alfred Bahr is a retired American soccer player, considered one of the greatest ever in his country. He was the long-time captain of the U.S. national team and played in the 1950 FIFA World Cup when the U.S...
and Ed & John Souza. Furthermore, Walter Bahr, Frank Borghi, Charlie Colombo, Harry Keough, John Souza and Frank Wallace were all part of the team that qualified for the 1950 World Cup by being runners-up in the 1949 NAFC Championship in Mexico.
- Joseph MacaJoseph MacaJoseph Maca was an American soccer player who earned three caps as left back for the United States men's national soccer team and played in the United States' 1–0 defeat of England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.Before World War II, Maca played for the Belgian Third Division team Royal Cercle Sportif...
had only arrived in the USA from Belgium a couple of years before and did not speak with an American accent yet.
- Joe GaetjensJoe GaetjensJoseph Edouard Gaetjens was a Haitian soccer player who played for the United States national team in the 1950 FIFA World Cup, scoring the winning goal in the 1–0 upset of England.- Early life :...
was of mixed German-Haitian descent and had a lighter skin complexion than the actor portraying him. He also didn't practice voodoo, but, like most Haitians he was Catholic.
- It was actually Stanley MatthewsStanley MatthewsSir Stanley Matthews, CBE was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers'...
, not Stanley Mortensen who was part of the team that was travelling through North America prior to the World Cup. However, he did not play in the game against the USA in New York because of injury.Also in the after dinner speech Mortensen is congratulated on his feat of scoring three goals in the FA Cup final, a feat he would'nt do for another three years !
- The match commentator talks about the US beating the BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, an inaccuracy as it was the EnglishEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
team. - Joe Gaetjens wasn't the only player not to have an American passport available, since Joseph Maca and Ed McIlvenny were Belgian and Scottish respectively. Maca did however obtain American nationality a few years later.
- The six other players who were part of the team that travelled to Brazil, but didn't play in the game against England, namely goalkeeper Gino GardassanichGino GardassanichGino Gardassanich was an Italian American soccer goalkeeper who was a member of the United States team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He was born in Fiume, Free State of Fiume and died in Illinois, United States.-Club career:Gardassanich began his career with Fiumana and Reggina...
, Robert AnnisRobert AnnisRobert “Bob” Joseph Annis was an American soccer defender. He was a member of both the 1948 United States Olympic soccer team and the U.S. team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame....
, Geoff CoombesGeoff CoombesGeoffrey "Jeff" Coombes was a U.S. soccer player who was a member of the U.S. team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup.-Youth:...
, Robert CraddockRobert CraddockRobert "Bob" W. Craddock was a U.S. soccer player who was a member of the U.S. team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He earned one cap in 1954.-Club career:...
, Nicholas DiOrioNicholas DiOrioNicholas DiOrio was a member of the U.S. national team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.-Youth:...
and Adam WolaninAdam WolaninAdam Wolanin was a Polish American soccer forward who was a member of the U.S. national team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame....
, were omitted from the film.
- In fact the USA was listed in the odds for winning the tournament (they were listed as 500–1).
- The first game of the USA at the 1950 World Cup (four days prior to the England game, against SpainSpain national football teamThe Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
in CuritibaCuritibaCuritiba is the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraná. It is the largest city with the biggest economy of both Paraná and southern Brazil. The population of Curitiba numbers approximately 1.75 million people and the latest GDP figures for the city surpass US$61 billion according to...
) is omitted from the film.
- The England-USA game wasn't attended by 30,000 spectators, but by a crowd of just over 10,000. Though this still was a much bigger crowd than the American players were used to, several of them (namely Bahr, Borghi, Colombo, Keough, John Souza and Wallace) had played in front of crowds up to 60,000 spectators during the 1949 NAFC Championship in Mexico, so this crowd wasn't the biggest they had ever played in front of.
- The reason Stanley Matthews didn't play in the England-USA game, wasn't because "he was taking a holiday in Rio", but because Walter Winterbottom, the English coach, didn't want to change the team that had won against Chile. Matthews was in fact present in the stadium in Belo Horizonte during the game.
- Scotsman Ed McIlvennyEd McIlvennyEdward John "Ed" McIlvenny , also known as Eddie McIlvenny, was a Scottish-American soccer player who most notably captained the United States national team in their 1–0 upset of England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.He learned the game as a youth and was selected to Scottish...
was edited out of the captaincy he held in the match against England, because the producers of the film decided to give the position of captain to American-born Walter BahrWalter BahrWalter Alfred Bahr is a retired American soccer player, considered one of the greatest ever in his country. He was the long-time captain of the U.S. national team and played in the 1950 FIFA World Cup when the U.S...
.
- Frank Borghi is seen to be taking several goal kicks throughout the film, though he stated that never actually did this, as he always threw ball or let another player take the goal kick.
- In 1950, United States Soccer FederationUnited States Soccer FederationThe United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
was called the United States Soccer Football Association. It did not become the United States Soccer Federation until 1974.
Cast
- Gerard ButlerGerard ButlerGerard James Butler is a Scottish actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television. A trained lawyer, Butler turned to acting in the mid-1990s with small roles in productions such as the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies , which he followed with steady work on television, most notably in...
..... Frank BorghiFrank BorghiFrank Borghi is a former American soccer player who earned nine caps at goalkeeper for the United States national team and played in the U.S. team's 1-0 victory over the hugely favored English in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.-Athletic career:Borghi started his sports career as a professional baseball...
(from St. Louis) - Wes BentleyWes BentleyWesley Cook "Wes" Bentley is an American film actor known for his role of Ricky Fitts in American Beauty.-Early life:Bentley was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the son of Cherie and David Bentley, who are United Methodist ministers....
..... Walter BahrWalter BahrWalter Alfred Bahr is a retired American soccer player, considered one of the greatest ever in his country. He was the long-time captain of the U.S. national team and played in the 1950 FIFA World Cup when the U.S...
(from Philadelphia) - Jay RodanJay RodanJay Rodan is a British actor, writer and director.Rodan was born in Durban, South Africa to a Scottish father and South African mother of Scots, Dutch and French descent...
..... Frank WallaceFrank Wallace (soccer)Frank Valicenti, aka Frank "Pee Wee" Wallace, was an American international soccer player who played as forward. He earned 7 caps and scored 3 goals for the United States men's national soccer team, and played in the U.S. team's historic 1–0 victory over England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup... - Gavin RossdaleGavin RossdaleGavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
..... Stanley Mortensen (on visiting English team) - Costas MandylorCostas MandylorCostas Mandylor is a Greek Australian actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as Kenny in Picket Fences, and for portraying Mark Hoffman in the Saw films.-Early life:...
..... Charlie ColomboCharlie ColomboCharles Martin Colombo was an American soccer player who earned 11 caps as center half for the United States men's national soccer team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.Born and raised in The Hill area of St. Louis, Missouri, Colombo played professionally for St...
(from St. Louis) - Louis MandylorLouis MandylorLouis Mandylor is an Australian film and television actor.-Life and career:Mandylor was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the son of Greek immigrants Louise and Yannis Theodosopoulos, a taxi driver...
..... Gino ParianiGino ParianiVirginio “Gino” Peter Pariani was an American soccer striker. He earned 5 caps and scored 1 goal for the United States men's national soccer team, and played on the 1950 FIFA World Cup team, including the U.S. team's historic 1–0 victory over England. He was also a member of the U.S. Olympic...
(from St. Louis) - Zachery Ty BryanZachery Ty BryanZachery Ty Bryan is an American actor and producer best known for his role as Brad Taylor on the American sitcom Home Improvement.-Personal life:...
..... Harry KeoughHarry KeoughHarry Joseph Keough is a former American soccer defender who played on the United States national team in their 1–0 upset of England at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He spent most of his club career in his native St. Louis, winning a national junior championship, two U.S. Open Cup and seven National... - Jimmy Jean-LouisJimmy Jean-LouisJimmy Jean-Louis is a Haitian actor and model best known for his role as The Haitian on the NBC television series Heroes. Born in Pétionville, he moved to Paris at a young age to pursue a modeling career. His early roles were in French musical theatre and television commercials...
..... Joe GaetjensJoe GaetjensJoseph Edouard Gaetjens was a Haitian soccer player who played for the United States national team in the 1950 FIFA World Cup, scoring the winning goal in the 1–0 upset of England.- Early life :...
(from Haiti) - Richard Jenik ...... Joe Maca
- Nelson VargasNelson VargasFor the Colombian road cyclist with the same name see Nélson VargasNelson Vargas is a former U.S. soccer player. He spent five seasons in Major League Soccer. He was also a member of the U.S...
...... John SouzaJohn SouzaJohn "Clarkie" Souza-Benavides is a former soccer player who earned 14 caps and scored 3 goals for the United States men's national soccer team, and played in the U.S. team's historic 1–0 victory over England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup... - Nino Da SilvaNino Da SilvaNino Da Silva is a Brazil-born American former professional soccer player. Currently runs an elite youth soccer club in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.- Early life :...
...... Eddie Souza - John HarkesJohn HarkesJohn Harkes is an American former soccer player. Harkes was the first American ever to play in the English Premier League, and the second American to score at Wembley Stadium. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He appeared in two FIFA World Cup tournaments, and won two MLS Cup...
...... Ed McIlvennyEd McIlvennyEdward John "Ed" McIlvenny , also known as Eddie McIlvenny, was a Scottish-American soccer player who most notably captained the United States national team in their 1–0 upset of England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.He learned the game as a youth and was selected to Scottish... - Bill SmitrovichBill Smitrovich-Personal life:Bill Smitrovich was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Anna and Stanley William Zmitrowicz, a tool and die maker. Bill is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport and holds an MFA from Smith College . He is married to Shaw Purnell from Pittsburgh, PA...
..... Admiral Higgins - Terry KinneyTerry KinneyTerry Kinney is an American actor and theatre director, and is a founding member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, with Gary Sinise and Jeff Perry.-Early life:...
..... Dent McSkimmingDent McSkimmingFlorence Dent Archibald McSkimming was an American sportswriter for several St. Louis newspapers. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1951.... - Patrick StewartPatrick StewartSir Patrick Hewes Stewart, OBE is an English film, television and stage actor, who has had a distinguished career in theatre and television for around half a century...
..... Older Dent McSkimming - John Rhys-DaviesJohn Rhys-DaviesJohn Rhys-Davies is a Welsh actor and voice actor. He is perhaps best known for playing the charismatic Arab excavator Sallah in the Indiana Jones films and the dwarf Gimli in The Lord of the Rings trilogy...
..... Bill JeffreyWilliam Jeffrey (soccer)William "Bill" Jeffrey was the head coach of the 1950 United States World Cup team that famously beat England 1-0 in one of the greatest upsets in the history of soccer. He was the coach of Penn State for 26 seasons, winning ten national college championships...