The Golden Ball (1994) User Reviews

plot has been over done yet this film still has inspiration

[s003121 · 6/10 · 3 September 2000]

The film is the over-common young "underdog" sets out on life journey to become a great sports-person story. As un-original as the plot is, it still has its moments in this rags to riches football tale. Based around the 12 year-old boy,Bandian who sets out to be Africa's greatest football player. The film crosses the boundary of ethics when the future of the boy is debated by his elders. One has the money-making ideals to send the boy to Europe where the big league is, the other, to keep the boy in Africa to represent the continent. Overall, well done spin on a common story

Brilliant children football tale

[Marion88 · 13 June 2005]

I saw the film recently although it's not a new film, and I could not take my eyes off the TV screen: the kid is so charming, the story and the characters are so sweet you just can't get enough. The 8 year old kid, a football fan in this small African village realizes he needs to work 750 days to pay for a proper leather football. He breaks down. The doctor (Agnes Soral) in charge of the humanitarian hospital of the area decides to make him a big surprise: she brings a football back from one of her trips to Europe. The kids of he village obsessed with the fame of the Golden Ball trophy paint the ball with golden paint. Will Bandian (the kid) make it to Europe? The film depicts what must have been the youth of many a football legend. They enchant the pitches of Europe every week-end and the tabloids write about their salaries and their love lives. But where do these African stars come from? The Golden Ball gives us hints and shows the incredible obstacles these heroes of the beautiful game had to overcome to make it. A wonderful film for families and sports fans.

Twelve-year old African boy hopes to become new Roger Milla and starts his soccer odyssey, facing all kinds of problems on the way

[Fitzie22 · 23 April 2005]

This is actually one of my favorite movies. It gives good insight in the daily problems that young Africans like Bandian face and the culture they grow up in. I myself think it's horrible to see that his parents, with the help of some medicine man, decide what Bandian should do and shouldn't do with his life. But it's also a film of joy and hope. Bandian meets new friends on the way and learns about trust and forgiveness. The film paints great pictures of the African landscape. By the way, if you're a soccer fan, you'll probably like the action scenes of Bandian performing magic on the ball. I'd give it a 8 out of 10 rating.