Top 10 Football Movies

Football has been grabbing the hearts and minds of people from around the world over the last four weeks

. As the World Cup 2010 comes to a close, it's a good time to reflect on some of the best football movies to keep people occupied through the summer months. Football has inspired many different types of creativity in other media throughout the years and the film industry has had many attempts at creating dramatised versions of the beautiful game. These ten movies represent the cream of the football film crop and they are ranked in no particular order to avoid controversy.

Looking for Eric - Ken Loach mixes his social realism with a bit of fantastic escapism in this film which stars Eric Cantona playing a surreal, imagined version of himself, as conceived by a troubled northern postman. It is let down slightly by it unlikely conclusion, but it does an admirable job of raising some existential questions from unlikely subject matter.

Escape to Victory - The stellar cast includes Sir Michael Caine and action hero Sylvester Stallone, but it is the presence of Pele that makes this wartime football caper film a must-watch.

The Damned United - Excellent look at the rise of Brian Clough, ostensibly covering his brief period as manager of Leeds United, but going deeper into his past and personality in entertaining detail. Michael Sheen is on top form as Clough, with his mannerisms and accent emulated perfectly.

Shaolin Soccer - Football films do not have to be based in reality and this off the wall story of magic and martial arts won the love of millions of fans around the world with its insane special effects and solid plot.

Bend it like Beckham - This breakout British hit catapulted Keira Knightley into the limelight and explored the life-changing power of football. It also deals with the pressures put on young people to achieve academically and follow the wills of their parents rather than their own dreams of sport superstardom.

Fever Pitch - The novel upon which this film is based kick started a mini renaissance for football amongst the middle classes and the film features Colin Firth trying to unpick why the game is so well-loved.

Mike Basset: England Manager - Brits love an underdog story and this film follows Football League manager Mike Basset (played by Ricky Tomlinson) as he fumbles his way into the top job in English football and then on to the world cup final. Foul mouthed but ultimately well meaning, this is a film that needs love.

The Football Factory - This film concerns itself with the violent, thuggish culture that can surround football and whatever you may think about its message and the persona of star Danny Dyer, it is certainly an interesting cultural artefact.

There's Only One Jimmy Grimble - With Robert Carlisle and Ray Winston on board this is a fun film with lots of heartfelt messages underneath the comedy. It follows Grimble as he moves from schoolboy right up to footballing legend and it is gripping throughout.

When Saturday Comes - Sheffield heartthrob Sean Bean stars in this film that is considered to be fairly terrible by most, but wins plaudits for having an appeal based entirely on its schmaltz and inaccuracies. This is not a good film, but it is definitely worth watching if you have any kind of interest in football.

by: Graham Worrall

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