The 25 Best 30 for 30s
The Top Twenty-Five ESPN Documentaries
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25 titles
- DirectorEzra EdelmanStarsKareem Abdul-JabbarMike AlbaneseMuhammad AliA chronicle of the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson, whose high-profile murder trial exposed the extent of American racial tensions, revealing a fractured and divided nation.
- StarsMichael JordanPhil JacksonScottie PippenLed by Michael Jordan, the 1990s Chicago Bulls establish themselves as one of the most notable dynasties in sports history.
- DirectorJonathan HockStarsBenny AndersRed AuerbachThurl BaileyFollows the life of Jim Valvano. It includes reflections by some players many years later.
- DirectorJim PodhoretzStarsKareem Abdul-JabbarDanny AingeTiny ArchibaldThis entry in ESPN's 30 for 30 series looks at the origins of the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s that revived - and saved - the NBA.
- DirectorJeff ZimbalistMichael ZimbalistStarsMaría Ester EscobarFrancisco MaturanaAlexis García V.The rise of Colombian soccer is attributed to the influx of drug money into the sport by Pablo Escobar and the other drug cartels. However, the team's swift decline after Escobar's death results in the murder of star player Andres Escobar.
- DirectorMichael TolajianStarsRick AdelmanDanny AingeKenny AndersonDrazen Petrovic and Vlade Divac were two friends who grew up together sharing the common bond of basketball. Together, they lifted the Yugoslavian National team to unimaginable heights. After conquering Europe, they both went to America where they became the first two foreign players to attain NBA stardom. But with the fall of the Soviet Union on Christmas Day 1991, Yugoslavia split up. A war broke out between Petrovic's Croatia and Divac's Serbia. Long buried ethnic tensions surfaced. And these two men, once brothers, were now on opposite sides of a deadly civil war. As Petrovic and Divac continued to face each other on the basketball courts of the NBA, no words passed between the two. Then, on the fateful night of June 7, 1993, Drazen Petrovic was killed in an auto accident. "Once Brothers" will tell the gripping tale of these two men, how circumstances beyond their control tore apart their friendship, and whether Divac has ever come to terms with the death of a friend before they had a chance to reconcile.
- DirectorBrett MorgenStarsMarv AlbertRex Julian BeaberChris BermanDocuments on how the events on the day OJ Simpson was pursued and arrested on charges of murdering his ex wife and her boyfriend overshadowed and took precedence over other sporting events from around the country by the media. No additional footage or voiceover was shot and the entire documentary is encapsulated in sound bites from various feeds on the day.
- DirectorDaniel GordonStarsMargaret AspinallGraham BurtonEric CampbellA look at the events of 15 April 1989 at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, England which led to the death of 96 football supporters, and the legacy of what is now known as the "Hillsborough Disaster".
- DirectorZak LevittStarsKid RockMike AbdenourMark AguirreThe Detroit Pistons of the late 1980s and early '90s seemed willing to do anything to win. That characteristic made them loved -- and hated. It earned them the title: Bad Boys.
- 2009– 1h 8mTV-G8.0 (2.2K)TV EpisodeDirectorDan KloresStarsReggie MillerCheryl MillerSpike LeeA film that explores the rivalry between the Indiana Pacers and New York as seen through the eyes and actions of Reggie Miller star player of the Indiana Pacers.
- DirectorJason HehirStarsJohn BaconDave BrandonBryan BurwellThe 1991 University of Michigan men's basketball recruiting class in which five freshman known as The Fab Five revolutionized college basketball. This film covers the success, cultural changes, scandal, and of course The Timeout.
- DirectorBilly CorbenStarsBilly CorbenJohn GreenLuther CampbellAfter years of indifferent results, new coach Howard Schnellenberger revitalizes the University of Miami's football program by introducing fresh blood and fresh attitude into the team.
- DirectorAlex GibneyStarsAlex GibneyDave KaplanBob CostasAfter the Chicago Cubs blow an opportunity to reach the World Series in 2003, Cubs fans blame the team's misfortune on fellow fan Steve Bartman, who interfered with a foul ball and prevented Moises Alou from making a catch.
- 2009– 1h 17mTV-G8.1 (1.7K)TV EpisodeDirectorMichael BonfiglioStarsJames AndrewsDickie AtchisonHal BairdA close look at Bo Jackson, a sports hero of mythical proportions, and how the "Bo Knows" Nike campaign shaped how the world perceived him. Without winning a Super Bowl or World Series, or even having what some consider a "great" career in either sport, Bo will be forever be known as one of the greatest and most famous athletes of all time. This film will look at the marketing of athletes, impossible expectations and the legend of Bo Jackson.
- DirectorJonathan HockStarsJeff DanielsViacheslav FetisovSergei MakarovThe story of one of the greatest upsets in sports history has been told. Or has it? On a Friday evening in Lake Placid, a plucky band of American collegians stunned the vaunted Soviet national team, 4-3 in the medal round of the 1980 Winter Olympic hockey competition. Americans couldn't help but believe in miracles that night, and when the members of Team USA won the gold medal two days later, they became one for the ages. But there was another, unchronicled side to the "Miracle On Ice." The so-called bad guys from America's ideological adversary were in reality good men and outstanding players, forged into the Big Red Machine by the genius and passion of Anatoli Tarasov. There was a reason they seemed unbeatable, especially after routing the Americans in an exhibition the week before the Winter Games began. And there was a certain shame in them having to live the rest of their lives with the results of February 22, 1980.
- DirectorNick DavisStarsCyndi LauperGeorge R.R. MartinJohn McEnroeThe four-part story of the 1986 Mets and a remarkable season, and in a tale full of infamy and domination from a team that nearly went bankrupt just a decade earlier.
- DirectorKen RodgersStarsTroy AikmanJerry AzarCarlton BaileyA behind-the-scenes look at the Buffalo Bills' four trips to the Super Bowl during the early 1990's.
- DirectorMarina ZenovichStarsCrystal MangumJoe AllevaBradley BannonA documentary examination of the accusations of sexual misconduct against the Duke University lacrosse team that were ultimately found to be baseless
- DirectorJason HehirStarsVince VaughnKevin ButlerJim CovertOne of the greatest football teams ever assembled, the 1985 Chicago Bears were a team of big talent, big egos, and big success. This documentary explores that success and the players behind it, as well as the questions surrounding the lack of a repeat performance.
- DirectorGary WaksmanStarsBronson ArroyoLenny ClarkeJohnny DamonThe Boston Red Sox overcome "The Curse" and defeat the New York Yankees in the 2004 American League Championship Series. In the process, they also become the first team ever to win a series after trailing three games to none.
- DirectorTodd KapostasyStarsJamie FoxxJade WilleyAllan Wayne AndersonThe unfettered and definitive look at the life and career of Dennis Rodman.
- DirectorJonathan HockStarsFred AkersLeon BaxtrumJohn BrooksIn 1981, college athletic recruiting changed forever as a dozen big-time football programs sat waiting for the decision by a physically powerful and lightning-quick high school running back named Marcus Dupree. On his way to eclipsing Herschel Walker's record for the most touchdowns in high school history, Dupree attracted recruiters from schools in every major conference to his hometown of Philadelphia, Miss. More than a decade removed from being a flashpoint in the civil-rights struggle, Philadelphia was once again thrust back into the national spotlight. Dupree took the attention in stride, and committed to Oklahoma. What followed, though, was a forgettable college career littered with conflict, injury and oversized expectations. Eight-time Emmy Award winner Jonathan Hock examined why this star burned out so young and how he ultimately used football to redeem himself.
- DirectorGentry KirbyErin LeydenIn the mid-1990s, Orlando was the center of excitement in the NBA. The young franchise, led by mega-stars Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, beat the mighty Bulls en route to the 1995 NBA Finals. While it was clear Orlando was a dynasty in the making, the Magic's moment on top was never fully realized.
- DirectorEzra EdelmanStarsGiancarlo EspositoKareem Abdul-JabbarMichael Adams30 for 30 Present: Requiem For The Big East chronicles the meteoric ascension of the Big East conference, and how in less than a decade, it became the most successful college basketball league in America.
- DirectorRory KarpfStarsRic FlairMuhammad AliArn AndersonDocumentary following the life & career of 16 time world champion Ric "The Nature Boy" Flair.