Shooting For Socrates

The BBC First British Film Festival blows its whistle on 28 October and its programme is one worth slide tackling for. Shooting For Socrates, a film depicting the highs and lows of the Northern Ireland soccer team in the 1986 World Cup. It is a touching celebration of a game that united a nation crippled with turmoil.

Starring veteran John Hannah (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Sliding Doors and the TV series Spartacus), Shooting For Socrates is set against the backdrop of political unrest in Northern Ireland, divided between Catholic and Protestant sects. The film follows the journey of the lives of the players and their loved ones as the team prepare for victory.

Edging towards the finals, a David v. Goliath meeting is inevitable as their opponent, Brazil, is an unshakeable stronghold on the field. On the home front, talk of soccer supersedes everything, especially for doe-eyed nine-year-old Tommy (Art Parkinson), who idolises the team.

Unfortunately for Tommy, the team consists of oafs and larrikins who struggle through their gruelling training conditions; they are no match for the heat of Mexico, the altitude of Albuquerque or the reputation of Brazil’s superstar player, Socrates de Souza, a philosopher, politician and all-round genius. Billy Bingham (John Hannah), the coach with an unwavering belief in his team’s abilities, has the herculean task of placating rivalries and patching together this band of misfits. Will he be successful?

Shooting For Socrates tells the story from the perspectives of the team, the fans and the media –an ambitious feat. In the opening scenes, you gain a sense that the film has bitten off more than it can chew, which is evident in the watered-down depiction of the real danger that existed in Belfast at the time. As the narratives progress, the beats of the story gain momentum as each of the storyline threads weave together.

Taking a step back, Shooting For Socrates provides many entertaining moments. Conleth Hill steals the scenes playing the upbeat and eager media reporter Jackie Fullerton but you may recognise him as Varys, for the Game Of Thrones fans out there. On a heartier level, some family scenes explore the importance of winning the World Cup, not only for the team but for national pride.

Will Northern Ireland triumph? Hardcore soccer fans or astute trivia players may already be aware of the outcome. But for everyone else, sit back and enjoy the hijinks!