Murderball (2005)

Quadriplegics, who play full-contact rugby in wheelchairs, overcome unimaginable obstacles to compete in the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Directors:

Henry Alex Rubin, Dana Adam Shapiro

Writer:

Dana Adam Shapiro (based on an article by)

Stars:

Joe Soares, Keith Cavill, Mark Zupan

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 17 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joe Soares	...	Self
Robert Soares	...	Self
Patti Soares	...	Self
Mark Zupan	...	Self
Christopher Igoe	...	Self
Jessica Wampler	...	Self
Jeff Nickell	...	Self
Frank Cava	...	Self
Keith Cavill	...	Self
Joann Cavill	...	Self
Robert Cavill	...	Self
Scott Hogsett	...	Self
Bob Lujano	...	Self
Andy Cohn	...	Self
John Bishop	...	Self

Storyline

Quad rugby as played by the US team, between 2002 games in Sweden and the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. Young men, most with spinal injuries, play this rough and tumble sport in special chairs, seated gladiators. We get to know several and their families. They talk frankly about their injuries, feelings in public, sex lives, competitiveness, and love of the game. There's also an angry former team member gone north to coach the Canadian team, tough on everyone, including his viola-playing son. We meet a recently injured man, in rehab, at times close to despair, finding possible joy in quad rugby. After Athens, the team meets young men injured in war: the future stars of Team USA.

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Plot Keywords:

year 2004 | 2000s | viola player | viola | concert | 

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Taglines:

Dream. Believe. Achieve.

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Genres:

Documentary | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

Christopher Igoe originally refused to appear in the movie. After more than a year of filming he was persuaded by the need to put his side of the story, rather than have it "mis-told" by others.

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Quotes

Andy Cohn: When people in the community see you in a chair they kinda treat you like you're made of glass or that you're fragile; things like that. But, in wheelchair rugby, it's kinda like high speed bumper cars.

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Connections

Referenced in Knocked Up (2007)

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Soundtracks

Follow Me Home
Written and Performed by Chessie
Published by Chessie (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Drop Beat

User Reviews

Great, Involving, Inspirational Look At Real People Kicking Ass.

This was a terrific documentary about the sport of Quad Rugby - Murderball, as it is unofficially known - that is, quadriplegic athletes in tank-like wheelchairs, kicking ass and taking names. The film doesn't show them as saints, just as real people with real stories and almost all fed up with society patronizing them. Ultimately the film packs a real emotional punch and will likely get you wanting to know more about many of the people you meet here and what happens to them after the credits roll. It may even inspire you to watch this sport live if you get a chance to do so or at least follow it. I hope this film gets the release it deserves as I think it has serious breakout potential. Based on its' award at the Sundance Festival in 2005, positive word of mouth could be considerable. 9/10

Details

Official Sites:

ThinkFilm [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 August 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Murderball

Filming Locations:

Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,750,211 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$57,286, 10 July 2005

Gross USA:

$1,531,154

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,751,895

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, MTV Films, Participant

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1