Do You Believe in Miracles? The Story of the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team (2001 TV Movie) User Reviews

If this doesn't bring a tear to your eye, you don't believe!

[big daddy yum yum · 10/10 · 10 April 2001]

This is the best sports documentary and team building video ever made. This is an inspirational experience and story. This makes you proud to be an American and makes you just want to say, God Bless America. If you aren't touched by this story, you don't believe in any miracles.

Song at the end of the documentary??

[Baseball Movie Nut · 10/10 · 2 July 2005]

Does anyone know the name of the song that runs over the ending credits? I believe it's a Neil Young song, but am not sure.

I just saw this (for the 15th time) on HBO yesterday. And for the 15th time I ended up teary-eyed, blubbering like a little kid.

HBO has produced some fine sports documentaries, but this is, by far, the best one it has ever filmed. The interviews were all excellent with sound bites galore throughout the entire film. Jack O'Callahan's comments near the end about his realization that the team would disband and would never be in tact again was extremely poignant.

Even the Soviet guys interviewed very well. The journalist (Igor Kuperman) was particularly funny.

Anyway, this is a must-watch for anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

Thank you.

Simply Inspiring

[scottydog2 · 9/10 · 5 February 2002]

I had never known the story behind Al Michaels's famous quote,'do you believe in miracles?",but now that I do....I must say that it's one of the most inspiring stories that I've ever heard of.

I'm only repeating myself,but this documentary is truly a gem

I still believe.

[Son_of_Mansfield · 10/10 · 12 May 2007]

The story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team is a perfect example of what can be accomplished with the right frame of mind. Having missed out on the chance for a metal as a player, the great Herb Brooks took hungry college hockey players and forged them into a great team. All the while he chipped away at the unbeatable facade of the Russians, using their own pride against them. The style of hockey employed has made it's way into the NHL and you can routinely see skilled teams lose to clubs who work harder. Will beats skill, as they say. More importantly, Miracle isn't just a hockey story. At a dark period in American history, the country found out just how much hope can be made when someone steps forward and gives you something to believe in. That is one of my favorite moments in this documentary, when one of the hostages from Iran admits that when he watched the video prepared to show him what he missed in captivity, it was a hockey game that excited him the most, because it looked like fun.

YES!!!

[camselle · 29 November 2002]

This is one of those documentaries that starts out with that old jingoistic patriotic "Go America!!" feel, only to prove that that feeling is genuine in most of us. This remarkable film is second only to the event itself! And the US Olympic Hockey Team's triumph is in my opinion the second greatest upset in the history of all team sport. The biggest, of course, is the 1950 World Cup Final round when Uruguay defeated a HEAVILY favored Brazil in Rio to take the trophy.

Wonderully down

[bigboy1069 · 10/10 · 5 March 2006]

I saw this for the first time today. I was 11 years old in 1980 so I have some recollection of this game. At the time, I remember my parents worrying about how much gas was costing, hearing about the hostages each night, and an inept President Carter. I didn't realize what a really big deal this was because I didn't fully realize how truly evil the USSR was. This was truly a monster upset and by far the most historic sporting event. Most non-sports fans probably have a passing interest in big events such as the Super Bowl or the World Series, but this one tops them all. The young men on that team won a gold medal and we were proud to be Americans again. Truly a national victory.

Do you believe in miracles? Yes!

[Woodyanders · 10/10 · 24 December 2021]

1980. Morale in America was at an all-time low due to rampant inflation, a severe gas shortage, and a terrible and embarrassing hostage crisis in the Middle East. So when the U. S. Olympic hockey team made up of college kids took on and actually defeated the seemingly unbeatable Russian team at the Winter Olympics, it was just what America needed to lift the heretofore sagging spirit of the country back up.

This hour-long documentary astutely captures the joy and elation of that simply glorious moment in time when the U. S. team pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history when they managed to win the big game against the Russians with only a few seconds left on the clock. The interviews with such people as notoriously hard-driving coach Herb Brooks, sportscaster Al Michaels (who's iconic exclamation at the 1980 Lake Placid game where the miracle occurred is the title of this review), U. S. captain Mike Euzione, ace goalie Jim Craig, and Russian goalie Vladislav Tretiak all put things in a meaningful and undeniably emotional context, with the comments made by American hostage Barry Rosen in particular proving to be especially poignant. A terrific documentary that will make you believe that miracles are indeed real.

Still gives me chills

[Freshley · 10/10 · 29 June 2023]

Great little documentary. One of the most amazing stories in all of sports history. Some good early stuff and footage beyond they titular game. Also some interesting stuff after the win, even from the Russian side. Tretiak is one of the best goalies of all time but he did have a down game. US probably loses that game 9 out of 10 times but that's why they play the games. Makes me wish they still had amateurs in the Olympics but that's neither here nor there. Herb Brooks was the man for that place and time. Highly recommended if you can watch it. Bought the dvd on Amazon for a pretty reasonable price.