The Match (2020) User Reviews

Good flick

[fixxy75 · 6/10 · 23 August 2021]

This film is, in my opinion, quite solid. It's not perfect, but the story flows well and the message is most important. The human spirit cannot be defeated.

And for all the reviewers who expected star power and high-octane action movie, look elsewhere. This is, after all, drama-indie flick.

Story 10 * Directing 7 * Editing 8 * Score 8 * Casting 6 * VFX 4 *

The game spirit

[revribhav-96772 · 6/10 · 15 July 2021]

During Nazi atrocity era, a football match is proposed between Hungary prisoners and Team Hitler on the occasion of Hitler's birthday ; the prisoners are winning by virtue of their skills ; during half time they are given an oral assurance that they win freedom if they lose deliberately ; they win and lose their lives.

The story is told in the flashback by the last ,13th member of the team, then a boy who manages to hide as per the advice of his captain.

The movie seems to be based on historical facts. It is worth watching by all those who believe in a fair game, at least there is no financial corruption as rampant in the sports and many other faculties of present era.

Touching and captivating

[Gordon-11 · 23 August 2021]

The story is touching and captivating. It shows hope in the darkest moments, and shows how human spirits can transcend into selflessness for the greater good.

Sub, Please!

[NosCustodimus · 2/10 · 12 July 2021]

Poor retelling of a great story about courage and resilience. Based on real events, I could let it slide if it was a solid drama that was lacking a bit in the sports department or an excellent sport movie with dramatic elements sort of bolted on around it. Unfortunately, The Match fails in both areas.

Being indie or low-budget doesn't have to mean low quality. It's not even an attention to detail issue. It's just bad. The script is ridiculous, acting was stiff, and direction felt like they had a two-take limit and just took what they got. The two biggest-name actors (Nero and Assante) are in the movie for less than five minutes combined. "The match" itself, which is supposed to be the highlight of such a film, is laughable from a technical perspective. It feels thrown together, shot, and edited in the same afternoon. The choreography is unskilled, uninspired, and amateurish, even though they cast pro footballers.

The rules and equipment are completely wrong for the era. Now, if they had missed by a few years or even a decade, OK fine, whatever, let's not nitpick... but they missed by 70+ years in some cases! It's no exaggeration to say it would be more accurate if characters had cell phones in WWII. That's how far off they missed. Yes, this is a low budget, indie film. Pretty sure they could afford Google and could spare 5 minutes.

2/10 .. Referee, sub please!?

Such a great story deserves to be told in a way that isn't so painful to watch. For example, a dramatized version is told very well in Victory (1981), starring Pele, Sylvester Stallone, Max von Sydow, and Sir Michael Caine (not a lot of people know that). I can't stress enough that you need to go watch that movie instead, especially if you've never seen it before.

A poor version of a great story

[VKintheUK-83-552768 · 3/10 · 17 July 2021]

The plot is dull, the football action meek and amateurish. Three stars fully justified by cameos from Viduka, Kova & Lovren. More of a freestyle, pseudo-docu reconstruction that looks cheap and.fails to generate any emotional attachment. Really poor.

A 'soccer' for a soccer player

[ruud-dijkstra · 9/10 · 24 December 2022]

Despite the previous reviews I loved this movie. You get hold by the granddad who is telling its lifestory to his grandchild... a beautifull life lesson to be passed foreword. It reminds you of the fact that the only thing in life what is important is life itselfs.

So no spoiler alerts here. But please see this movie and see this Hungarian man standing his grounds... by God almighty, this is what humanity should be...

Be fair, be right, be justice

Help eachother when in need and respect one another, if you respect human life you respect progress..

# I'm Dutch, so sorry if I made some grammar mistakes... Loved the movie & football (so we say in Europe ;-)

Victory 1981

[spyroschas · 1/10 · 12 January 2022]

Really? We have already seen this with great cast and script and story and acring and direction. I dont know what are all trying to do with remaking (nd failing)not so old classic films.

I liked it a lot more than I expected to

[ropukile · 8/10 · 18 August 2021]

I did not begin to watch this movie with high expectations but I have to say it is very respectable. I do not understand some of the "criticisms", if you can even call them that. Sure, the actors in the film aren't famous but that's because it's an indie film, not a Hollywood production. I'd say the actors put in performances decent enough that they don't detract from the film. In terms of the production, perhaps someone would have managed to hide the small budget even better, but I didn't mind how the film was presented. In few insignificant places I did think some directional choices were a bit weird but not nearly enough to make me dislike the film. Because the most important thing works- and that is the story. I wouldn't say it's not comparable to anything else done before but it is a classic that works and is enjoyable. I would happily watch this movie many more times.

History can't be denied

[jhconway-95793 · 9/10 · 25 December 2022]

I really struggle when a review says, for example, "the plot is weak". Sadly there really was a game such as this, played against captured Ukrainian Soviets not Hungarians, and the team was executed in the second half when they took the lead. How on earth someone, probably/possibly a youngster, with no appreciation of the basis for the film, the brutal hierarchy and associated suffering it depicts is beyond me. A film is not always about the artistry of the filmmaking and can include the relevance of the narrative, so on this basis I give this 9/10. Sadly history is now being reshaped in our time and people are losing contact with the horrors of WW2. We should never forget what happened and the feeding ground that allowed it to happen if we are to avoid any repeat, but history also teaches us we're slow to learn such lessons. All I can say is:"watch this film"

I don't have any words

[gemini-69371 · 10/10 · 12 January 2022]

I am never speechless. But I really don't have the words. There aren't any You have to watch for yourself, and the actors, still no words.

Thank you for sharing this with the world.

Another side of the typical war story line

[imael_mo · 8/10 · 18 December 2021]

I absolutely loved this move. As I have seen many pre war movies. I already had an assumption in my mind about this movie. But it was different. Sensitive and daring at the same time. Ppl will give their last if they believe in what's it's right. You can't deny anyone talent.