Shooting for Socrates
Shooting for Socrates is a 2014 Irish film co-written and directed by James Erskine and starting John Hannah, Richard Dormer and Sergio Mur as Brazilian footballer Sócrates.[1]
Plot
During the 1986 FIFA World Cup the Northern Ireland national football team play against Brazil national football team in one of the most memorable games in Irish footballing history. The film follows the lives of passionate football supporter Arthur and his son Tommy from East Belfast. The lead up to a momentous day in the life of a young boy (his 10th birthday) mirrors the buildup to the big day for the football team as they play the greatest match of their lives.[2]
Cast
- John Hannah as Billy Bingham
- Conleth Hill as Jackie Fullerton
- Richard Dormer as Arthur
- Nico Mirallegro as David Campbell
- Ciaran McMenamin as Sammy McIlroy
- Barry Ward as Jimmy Quinn
- Bronagh Gallagher as Irene
- Paul Kennedy as Pat Jennings
- Chris Newman as Norman Whiteside
- Aaron McCusker as Gerry Armstrong
- Sergio Mur as Sócrates
- Matthew McElhinney as Jimmy Nichol
- Art Parkinson as Tommy
- Stephen Hagan as Phil Hughes
- Andy Moore as Mal Donaghy
- Patrick Buchanan as Alan McDonald
Production
The scenes of the game in Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara were recreated on Northern Ireland's home turf of Windsor Park in Belfast.[3]
Release
The film had a limited cinema release in June 2015 before being released on DVD in October 2015.[4][5] It was "DVD of the Week" in the Irish News.[6]
Reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 29% based on 7 reviews, with an average rating of 4.67/10.[7]
References
- ^ Felperin, Leslie (4 June 2015). "Shooting for Socrates review – football soothes tension in 80s Northern Ireland". Retrieved 3 May 2020 – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Shooting for Socrates – review". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- ^ Taggart, Maggie (26 November 2013). "NI vs Brazil game hits big screen". Retrieved 3 May 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Shooting For Socrates". Empire. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- ^ "Shooting For Socrates". www.bbfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- ^ "DVD of the week: Shooting For Socrates". The Irish News. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- ^ "Shooting for Socrates (2015)". Retrieved 3 May 2020 – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
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