IMDb >
Blackball (2003)
Watch It
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Free on IMDb

BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsBlackball (2003) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 5 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 3) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
5 September 2003 (UK) moreTagline:
At last, a sportsman the British can be proud of... morePlot:
A rebellious young British bowls player teams with another older and more traditional player to take on the Australian bowls team. full summary | add synopsisNewsDesk:
See the Movie, Then Buy the DVD -- Four Days Later(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 10 February 2005)
User Comments:
Gentle comedy that we Brits do so well moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Paul Kaye | ... | Cliff Starkey | |
| James Cromwell | ... | Ray Speight | |
| Alice Evans | ... | Kerry Speight | |
| Bernard Cribbins | ... | Mutley | |
| Johnny Vegas | ... | Trevor | |
| Vince Vaughn | ... | Rick Schwartz | |
| Imelda Staunton | ... | Bridget | |
| James Fleet | ... | Alan the Pipe | |
| David Ryall | ... | Giles Wilton | |
| Ian McNeice | ... | Hugh The Sideburns | |
| Kenneth Cranham | ... | Chairman Collins | |
| Terry Alderton | ... | Bouncer Jonno | |
| Emma Amos | ... | Local News Reporter | |
| Paul Bentall | ... | Gate Guard (as Paul Bental) | |
| Neil Conrich | ... | Reporter Dave |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for language.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
96 minCountry:
UKLanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorSound Mix:
Dolby DigitalFun Stuff
Trivia:
'Johnny Vegas' is the only cast member who can actually play bowls and does not do so in the film. moreGoofs:
Continuity: There is paper confetti all over the floor of the indoor bowling green for the England Vs Australia match, in the next shot there is none. moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Blackball (2003) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Cars | So This Is College | Slap Shot | Van Wilder | Notes on a Scandal |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb UK section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |









Ok, so this isn't going to be hailed the new The Full Monty, and doesn't have the romantic edge of Four Weddings And A Funeral, and it may not even have the charm of Bend It Like Beckham, but Blackball is an amusing, sometimes laugh-out-loud tale of the underdog winning through in the end.
Paul Kaye (more famous for his role of Dennis Pennis) plays Cliff, a guy living on a run-down estate but who has a talent for Crown Green Bowls, a sport more recognised for the older generation. But when a team from Australia are storming in the bowls arena, Cliff decides that his only way of getting to play them, is to win a bowls contest for the County Championship, a competition won 23 times in a row by Roy (James Cromwell). Of course he wins, but loses the championship and the chance to bowl for 15 years in professional competition due to a rule that Cliff broke.
The rise to fame is helped by a sleazy sports agent (Vince Vaughn) and Cliff becomes the bad boy of bowls. He also falls for Roy's daughter (Alice Evan s) and in his rise to the big time, almost loses everything that he holds dear to him, from his Grandad (Bernard Cribbins), his best friend (Johnny Vegas) and his girl.
This isn't going to win any major awards and may be forgotten about six months down the road, but it's an undemanding piece of comedy cinema that will have you chuckling all the way through. Nice performances from all involved, and a great soundtrack too.