In the hands of Gods 2007 Documentary

Images for blog have been sourced here

There have been a number of soccer greats over the decades but none as famous as Maradona, the God of soccer and the international fan following from across the globe is truly amazing! Even non soccer enthusiasts know of his names and sporting success. Many films have been made about the soccer God and even in 2019 a documentary on his career was screened.

But in my opinion it's the low budget documentary made about him or made around Maradona that has truly captured his greatness. In my opinion this documentary cements Maradona and captures his greatness better than the 2019 documentary.

It's not everyday that the UK produces great cinematic gold a bit like Australia, we're crap at making movies. Not to say we have never made good ones as we have, as has the UK but the US reigns supreme in story telling.

Source

The 2007 film is named after Maradona's infamous or famous 1986 goal. Watching the game on the grainy T.V. footage of the time and hearing the commentators it appears no fowl was committed. If you watched in live from the angle screened to millions of people across the globe it looked as if Maradona head butted a goal.

The English immediately ran to object and stated that Maradona used his hands. I'm sure many from the other side of the field would too have seen it. But the umpires did not. The goal was awarded and from what has been reported to Maradona's amazement. It is one of the most memorable moments in soccer history.

You can watch the goal Here

In the Hands of Gods is about 5 English football fans and whom are also freestyle soccer players decide on heading to Buenos Aires to meet the great man. Except they do not have the funds to do so and only have enough for two tickets. It is also reported that at least one of the friends was homeless at the time of recording.

They have a competition to see who will get the tickets which is drawn by a complete stranger, a bit of rumbling between the group occurs and one friend hands his ticket to another friend.

They then don't just simply walk away but go on to try and raise more money to also attend the trip while the other 2 head off. Only one of the remaining 3 goes on to make enough money to buy a ticket and eventually meets up with the other two.

The 3 that embarked on the trip head to locations that Maradona often visits in the hope of meeting the soccer great, their attempts fail but a journalist is close by and begins to document their arrival and goal.

They perform tricks around south America and continue to draw crowds and even appearing on the national news. In an attempt to get Maradona's attention. One of the boys has a speech prepared in Spanish seeking a meeting with Maradona and the entire nation begins to watch what unfolds. Unfortunately they are told Maradona was a sleep and did not see their message.

The boys continue to tour the city and go to locations Maradona is known to be at meeting many locals and becoming famous in the town.

They are eventually informed that Maradona would like to meet all three at his home and the trio quickly get to Maradona's home to meet the soccer God. They take photos, spend some time with Maradona and then commence their journey back home.

By this stage the final 2 of the group have raised enough money to get to Buenos Aires but unfortunately by the time they land at the air port it is too late.

As they look up at the T.V in the air port they see news broadcasts of their 3 friends photographed with Maradona, a sign that they were successful in the journey to meet the God.

The film ends with the two friends smiling in happiness and joy.

Throughout the documentary we see moments of Maradona's greatness and it's followed by great commentary. I remember watching this film and when I pressed play I didn't think I was going to like it. I was wrong. It was an emotional roller coaster filled with trials and tribulations by the group. Faced with many life changing choices and scenarios the group enter worlds that they are not familiar with.

The raw gritty aspects of the film make for a true masterpiece that adds extra personality to it. Something that isn't too common and not often done right. But this film is a perfect blend.

The film went onto be a success but some critics were sceptical about its filming and thought aspects of it were staged. I'm not too sure about what I think about that as it is a film. No doubt there would have been staged moments to increase dramatic effect and provide more to the viewer.

Without a doubt through, this still remains in my opinion one of the greatest Maradona films ever created and presented to us. Where it doesn't focus directly on the soccer God it is still 100% about him.

It show cases his greatness and what lengths people are willing to go to to meet the man. A true testament to his career both on and off the field and through retirement.

If you haven't watched the film yet or never heard of it I'd highly recommend sitting down and making some time available to watch this must watch film as I do believe it is one of the great masterpieces of our time along many other films. It's been a few years now since I last watched it but I do often like to return to this film as it shows what the human spirit is willing to do to achieve its goals.

The acting isn't all that great but this film isn't about being a Hollywood star it is about delivering us an emotional roller coaster of events which will keep us in suspense and guessing if the lads actually get to make it to the finish line.

In the Hands of Gods! 4.5 out of 5 stars from me