DCSIMG
 
 

Murderball (2005)

Murderball (2005)
Play Trailer and Clips
Member Rating:  
Better known as Wheelchair Rugby, Murderball is a game created by quadriplegic athletes that is every bit as aggressive as the name would lead one to expect; played with bone-breaking intensity, a typical game of Wheelchair Rugby involves plenty of trash-talking, a few head-on collisions, and the occasional player being thrown from his modified wheelchair. The game has become an official event at the Paralympics, a worldwide competition for handicapped athletes, and the United States and Canada have become fierce rivals in the event. When Joe Soares was dropped from the top-seated American team, he angrily retaliated by signing on as coach for the Canadian team, which he led to an upset victory for Team Canada in the games. In 2004, filmmaker Henry Alex Rubin and journalist Dana Adam Shapiro followed both teams as they traveled to Athens, Greece, for the 2004 Paralympics, documenting the fierce competition between the two teams (especially the Americans, bitterly stung by what they saw as Soares' betrayal). Murderball offers an up-close look at the 2004 Wheelchair Rugby tournament, as well as the personal stories of the athletes who are passionate, driven, and determined to win -- as one of them says, "I'm not here for a hug, I'm here for a medal." Murderball earned an enthusiastic reception in its premier screenings at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

 Read More


Director(s):
Henry Alex Rubin, Dana Adam Shapiro, (more)
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of Murderball

Better known as Wheelchair Rugby, Murderball is a game created by quadriplegic athletes that is every bit as aggressive as the name would lead one to expect; played with bone-breaking intensity, a typical game of Wheelchair Rugby involves plenty of trash-talking, a few head-on collisions, and the occasional player being thrown from his modified wheelchair. The game has become an official event at the Paralympics, a worldwide competition for handicapped athletes, and the United States and Canada have become fierce rivals in the event. When Joe Soares was dropped from the top-seated American team, he angrily retaliated by signing on as coach for the Canadian team, which he led to an upset victory for Team Canada in the games. In 2004, filmmaker Henry Alex Rubin and journalist Dana Adam Shapiro followed both teams as they traveled to Athens, Greece, for the 2004 Paralympics, documenting the fierce competition between the two teams (especially the Americans, bitterly stung by what they saw as Soares' betrayal). Murderball offers an up-close look at the 2004 Wheelchair Rugby tournament, as well as the personal stories of the athletes who are passionate, driven, and determined to win -- as one of them says, "I'm not here for a hug, I'm here for a medal." Murderball earned an enthusiastic reception in its premier screenings at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
86 mins
Director(s):
Dana Adam Shapiro, Henry Alex Rubin
Producer(s):
Dana Adam Shapiro, Jeff Mandel
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Profanity, Adult Situations, Sexual Situations)
Categories:
Documentary, Sports & Fitness, Independent Films
Murderball Awards:
  • 2005 - Boston Society of Film Critics - Best Documentary
  • 2005 - Dallas/Fort Worth Film Critics Association - Best Documentary
  • 2005 - Sundance Film Festival - Special Jury Prize for Editing
  • 2005 - Sundance Film Festival - Special Jury Prize for Editing
  • 2005 - Sundance Film Festival - American Documentary Audience Award
  • 2005 - Sundance Film Festival - Special Jury Prize for Editing
  • 2005 - Sundance Film Festival - Special Jury Prize for Editing
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

Looking for special editions of Murderball?
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
 

IN-STORE

 

ON DEMAND

Blockbuster Instant Video

Watch thousands of movies instantly on your TV, tablet, mobile phone or computer with no monthly subscription. You pay only for what you watch.
 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
    Read all (27)
     
    James V.

    MURDERBALL may look like a nonstop, macho-handicapped commercial, but hang on, because almost immediately the movie grows more interesting. Co-directors Rubin and Shapiro place you as far into the paraplegic's wheelchair as you’re likely to get, & being there is eye/mind-opening. For its fine (& funny) discussion of wheelchair sex alone, the movie does a terrific service. While all the characters are interesting, it's Joe Soares (moving from a player for the US to a coach for Canada's team) who has the most unusual story. There is likely an entire sequel here regarding Joe's Canadian "iceberg," the tip of which we only hear in passing at film's end. This is the kind of documentary that wins awards all over the country, has critics reaching for their utmost adjectives, and that no one goes to see. Probably sounds too depressing, right? Let's watch "March of the Penguins" instead. Know what? It isn’t depressing, & it's a lot more interesting that that long line of avian tuxedos.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Kelly S.

    This film is brutally honest and very well done. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Marty E.

    absolutely honest story about what life is like as parapeligics and the ups/downs in life... it is funny and smart and challenges our assumptions

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 27 Reviews
       

      Rating Systems

       

      Blockbuster

      Find Us Online: BLOCKBUSTER Blog - BLOCKBUSTER Widgets - BLOCKBUSTER RSS FEED - BLOCKBUSTER Facebook Page - BLOCKBUSTER Twitter Page - BLOCKBUSTER Wiki

      Email Exclusives

      BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C.
        2013 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.

      Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation.   2013 Rovi Corporation.