This documentary is primarily about the history of soccer in Australia and the story behind them finally making it back into the FIFA World Cup a massive 32 years after the first time back in 1974. This documentary is a tribute to the life of Johnny Warren, famous in Australia and respected throughout the world, including soccer crazy nations such as Brazil.
For half a century Johnny Warren was synonymous with soccer in Australia. His often lonely mission to bring the beautiful game into the mainstream of Australian life eventually made him one of the great characters of Australian sporting culture. Johnny Warren dreamed of Australia featuring again at the World Cup after their one and only appearance in Germany in 1974, and he worked tirelessly to realise that dream. Although he died before it happened, the epic qualification match against Uruguay in November 2005 was vindication of everything he stood for, and his presence was tangible in a packed Telstra Stadium.
Featuring never before seen footage of classic Socceroo matches, including their first ever attempt to qualify for the 1966 World Cup, the stunning goal that clinched a place at the 1974 World Cup and the heartbreak of defeat at the final hurdle against Iran in 1997, where Johnny famously wept live on national television. There are also key interviews with Johnny Warren's old team-mates, family, friends and football journalists, many of whom have never been interviewed before, and all full of intimate insights into the Australian hero's life.
Final thoughts: In short, I think what makes any film good is one that can reach out and touch you somehow so you "feel" it. This I believe succeeds in doing this. Regardless of whether you're a soccer fan, or even an Australian, this is a documentary anyone can enjoy. I give it 9/10.
For half a century Johnny Warren was synonymous with soccer in Australia. His often lonely mission to bring the beautiful game into the mainstream of Australian life eventually made him one of the great characters of Australian sporting culture. Johnny Warren dreamed of Australia featuring again at the World Cup after their one and only appearance in Germany in 1974, and he worked tirelessly to realise that dream. Although he died before it happened, the epic qualification match against Uruguay in November 2005 was vindication of everything he stood for, and his presence was tangible in a packed Telstra Stadium.
Featuring never before seen footage of classic Socceroo matches, including their first ever attempt to qualify for the 1966 World Cup, the stunning goal that clinched a place at the 1974 World Cup and the heartbreak of defeat at the final hurdle against Iran in 1997, where Johnny famously wept live on national television. There are also key interviews with Johnny Warren's old team-mates, family, friends and football journalists, many of whom have never been interviewed before, and all full of intimate insights into the Australian hero's life.
Final thoughts: In short, I think what makes any film good is one that can reach out and touch you somehow so you "feel" it. This I believe succeeds in doing this. Regardless of whether you're a soccer fan, or even an Australian, this is a documentary anyone can enjoy. I give it 9/10.
