Murderball (2005)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Directors:

Henry Alex Rubin
Dana Adam Shapiro

Release Date:

22 July 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Sport

Plot:

A film about paraplegics who play full-contact rugby in Mad Max-style wheelchairs - overcoming unimaginable obstacles to compete in the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Plot Keywords:

Rugby | Paralympics | Wheelchair | Paralympic Games | Greece

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 14 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Joe Bishop	...	Himself
Keith Cavill	...	Himself
Andy Cohn	...	Himself
Scott Hogsett	...	Himself
Christopher Igoe	...	Himself
Bob Lujano	...	Himself
Kevin Orr	...	Himself
Joe Soares	...	Himself
Dave Willsie	...	Himself
Mark Zupan	...	Himself

MPAA:

Rated R for language and sexual content; Rated PG-13 for sexual references and language. (edited version)

Runtime:

Australia:85 min | USA:88 min | UK:85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | Netherlands:MG6 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:7 | Iceland:12 | Finland:K-11 | Malaysia:U | USA:R | Australia:M | Canada:14A (British Columbia)

Filming Locations:

Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

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.

Quotes:

Reporter: Tell us about Wheelchair Rugby.
Mark Zupan: We had been calling it Murderball, but you can't market Murderball to corporate sponsors.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Jackass Presents: Murderball (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

K Tower

Life in a wheelchair

I am a person in a wheelchair as well in a small country of the world. It was quite difficult to find a cinema, where I could finally watch it with my mom. It was a great experience. I found it very useful. I really do think that all person in a wheelchair should see this film once. It helps to process the fact of an accident and live together with it in a normal way.

It also shows great examples of strong, life-affirmation, courage, wisdom and at the same time presents the reality of a handicapped life. I liked the way guys were talking about sex and it was good to see that they found partners even though their state. I also appreciated that the film showed a boy with a fresh motor-accident (Keith Cavill), who had just left the rehabilitation and could not find his place and happiness in his new home. Therefore we could see more stages of "accepting an accident".

Still, what I have also experienced, that it is easier for men (boy) to be wheel-chaired than for women (girls). As we could see from the film, most of the boys have chosen healthy girls for their partners, and they referred to the fact that girls like to take care of them. It works different in the case of girls.

And what is very important: sport is something which heals even very sad lives. It gives aim, happiness and meaning for either a healthy person or for somebody with a missing body part.

I would like to recommend this film to everyone who is interested in a different way of life.