Fever Pitch (1997)

A sports fan's romantic courtship clashes with his obsession with his favorite football team.

Director:

David Evans

Writers:

Nick Hornby (book), Nick Hornby (screenplay)

Stars:

Colin Firth, Ruth Gemmell, Luke Aikman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Luke Aikman	...	Young Paul
Bea Guard	...	Paul's Sister
Neil Pearson	...	Paul's Dad
Ruth Gemmell	...	Sarah Hughes
Colin Firth	...	Paul Ashworth
Richard Claxton	...	Robert Parker
Ken Stott	...	Ted, the Headmaster
Holly Aird	...	Jo
Mark Strong	...	Steve
Lorraine Ashbourne	...	Paul's Mum
Peter Quince	...	Chip Shop: Frank
Charles Cork	...	Rex
Bob Curtiss	...	Stan
Philip Bond	...	Turnstile Operator
Scott Baker	...	Man Behind

Storyline

A romantic comedy about a man, a woman and a football team. Based on Nick Hornby's best selling autobiographical novel, Fever Pitch. English teacher Paul Ashworth believes his long standing obsession with Arsenal serves him well. But then he meets Sarah. Their relationship develops in tandem with Arsenal's roller coaster fortunes in the football league, both leading to a nail biting climax.

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Plot Keywords:

arsenal | teacher | fan | screenplay adapted by author | soccer fan | 

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Taglines:

Life gets complicated when you love one woman and worship eleven men

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes place from 1988 to 1989.

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Goofs

When, as a child, Paul Ashworth goes to see the Reading FC game, the Reading FC Club Badge on the rosette of the supporters is the one which did not come into being until around the 1987-1988 season. The badge that should have been worn in the 1970s, when the match took place, was the old style 'Elm Trees' badge.

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Quotes

Ted, the Headmaster: I wanted to talk to you about a vacancy. Rosie Hunter's handed in her notice I wonder whether you'd be interested in applying.
Paul Ashworth: Head of year? Erm, well...
Ted, the Headmaster: It's obviously not the most attractive offer you've ever had.
Paul Ashworth: *Come on Ben, get back with him!* Sorry Ted.
Ted, the Headmaster: I haven't fired you with enthusiasm.
Paul Ashworth: Well there's a lot of work, isn't it? What do I want to do more work for?
Ted, the Headmaster: More money?
Paul Ashworth: Well I've got enough to pay my rent, I got enough for my season ticket and a couple of records a month. Got no family.
Ted, the Headmaster: I'd ...
[...]

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Connections

Features The Clangers (1969)

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Soundtracks

All Around The World
Written by Lisa Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris
Performed by Lisa Stansfield

User Reviews

On Arsenal underpants, the term "GUNNER" truly fits.

Fantastic. I had the pleasure of going to Highbury (Arsenal Stadium) twice to see the Gunners play in real Premiership clashes against Sheffield Wednesday and Wimbledon, and the soccer fanaticism portrayed in the film is NOT hyperbolized at all. As a Yank, i felt like a right outsider, but i was hooked instantly when i exited the Underground station and was swept away in the program selling, chips devouring, pin swapping, memorabilia peddling madness that is English Football.

Additionally, Fever Pitch is the ONLY modernly set British film i've seen that did not contain a single refference to American culture, film, TV, music, nothing...

A totally home grown Brit flick which (to use an American sporting analogy) hits it out of the park. Shamelessly sublime.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 1997 (UK)

Also Known As:

Fever Pitch

Filming Locations:

Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,093, 17 October 1999

Gross USA:

$3,736

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,736

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Scala Productions, Wildgaze Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1