True Blue (1996)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Ferdinand Fairfax

Writers:

Rupert Walters (screenplay)
Daniel Topolski (book) ...

Release Date:

15 November 1996 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Sport

Tagline:

To be second is to be last.

Plot:

The story of the year the Oxford and Cambridge boat race changed from a gentleman's race to one where winning was everything. |

Plot Keywords:

Oxford | Boat | Boat Race | University | Rival

Cast

Johan Leysen	...	Daniel Topolski
Dominic West	...	Donald MacDonald
Dylan Baker	...	Michael Suarez, S.J.
Geraldine Somerville	...	Ruth MacDonald
Josh Lucas	...	Dan Warren
Brian McGovern	...	Rick Ross
Noah Huntley	...	Nick Bonham
Edward Atterton	...	Freddy Prideaux-Jones
Ryan Bollman	...	Morrison Black
Andrew Clover	...	Rob Atkins
Jonathan Cake	...	Patrick Conner
Tom Hollander	...	Sam Peterson
Nicholas Rowe	...	David Ball
Patrick Malone	...	Mike Johnson
Alexis Denisof	...	Ed Fox

Also Known As:

Miracle at Oxford (USA) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Singapore:PG | Norway:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Booker Entertainment

Trivia:

The Cambridge crew in this film were played by members of the rowing squad from Imperial College, London, including several members of the British international squad.

Goofs:

Continuity: The Cambridge crew used "cleaver" blades, which weren't invented for three years after the film was set.

Soundtrack:

Two Tribes

Left me with a sinking feeling.

Taking it's lead from the true story of the 1986 Oxford-Cambridge boat race, 'True Blue' is an attempt to convert this seemingly inconsequential event into a meaningful experience. The film fails because the relevance is only apparent to those with an interest in the subject, or those directly involved. Sure, there's an all encompassing metaphor for our ability to overcome obstacles in our path, and fight against the odds, but for that you would be better off with 'Rocky', or 'Chariots Of Fire' (which this film shamelessly rips off on more than one occasion). I don't doubt that all those involved were deeply passionate about the real story here, the people who made the victory so convincingly their own, but the film flounders due to some erratic performances, and some banal dialogue - not to mention an incredible anti-American streak throughout. It's a peculiarly English film, like the boat race itself, that will appeal to those with a vested interest and no-one else.