Harvard Beats Yale 29-29

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Brian Dowling, Vic Gatto, Frank Champi, J.P. Goldsmith
Directed by: Kevin Rafferty
Rating: Not Rated
Genre: Documentary
2008

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: On November 23, 1968, undefeated Harvard and undefeated Yale played one of the most legendary college football games of all time. Years later, the key players recollect that unforgettable afternoon.

Review:

Tim: Director Kevin Rafferty directs a very interesting documentary about a legendary, crazy football game. In a strange way, this movie was mesmerizing. Rafferty combines actual game footage with interviews with the players on both sides of the game. This actually works quite well. As I had not even heard of this game, I was very interested to see how it would all turn out. While there are some legitimate flaws, this is a solid, entertaining documentary about a different subject than we are used to seeing.

I am a bit surprised that a 105 minute movie about a single football game played forty years ago would make an interesting, engaging movie. You would think that it would get boring. However, I don't remember being bored or disengaged for a minute. This is a huge testament to Rafferty's direction. It helps that the football game in question is one of the craziest ever played. The title itself is a bit of a spoiler- you understand that the game obviously ends in a 29-29 tie. As you watch the game unfold, it just becomes more and more ridiculous as you keep an eye on the clock and the score and you start to wonder- "How is this actually possible?" The final score becomes increasingly unbelievable as the movie goes on, which makes it incredibly interesting. We also get some very interesting interviews from various players, whose recollections of the game are vastly more interesting than I would have expected. Plus, it helps Rafferty greatly that actor Tommy Lee Jones played in that game for Harvard- it helps so much to see a familiar face now and again.

This is not to say that the film is without flaws. It is impossible to miss that the Harvard players get much more time on screen than the Yale players do. The movie skews toward the Harvard side, and I wish there was more balance (the Harvard players are legitimately more interesting than the Yale ones, I admit). Still, more balance would have been better. Perhaps the biggest flaw of the movie is that while it is about a legendary game, it wasn't a particularly important game. It wasn't for a championship or anything of substantial importance. Plus, I hate to admit, but this is really a movie about a bunch of old men recalling the "good old days" of their football life. The fact that this movie is entertaining at all is a huge achievement, but the subject matter still limits the movie.

Despite a few flaws, this is still a strong documentary that is interesting because of the aura surrounding this unforgettable game. Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 (and I have to admit I was just a bit disappointed when I found out the reason for that title) might not be a movie for everyone, but football fans will certainly enjoy this interesting look at how a single football game can impact people's lives forever.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7



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