Joe Namath Movies

This award-winning video examines sports within the context of a period of great social and political upheaval. As its metaphorical title suggests, it focuses on pivotal events in the sports world that didn't always take place in the arena or on the playing field -- such as Muhammad Ali's refusal to serve in the military during the Vietnam War, a stance that cost him his world heavyweight boxing title. Also recalled is Major League Baseball player Curt Flood's refusal to be traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies. Flood's struggle had far-reaching implications for the sport, paving the way for the era of free agency and million-dollar salaries. The video also examines the evolving nature of sports journalism and how it gave rise to the media-created "superstar," a designation personified by "Broadway" Joe Namath, the controversial quarterback who led the New York Jets to a stunning win over the highly favored Baltimore Colts in the 1969 Super Bowl. ~ Dan Harvey, All Movie Guide

Al (Ed O'Neill) and Jefferson (Ted McGinley) have their hearts set on going to a new sports bar to hobnob with celebrity athletes Joe Namath, Johnny Bench and Ernie Banks). Alas, the bar is opening on the same night that Peg (Katey Sagal) and Marcy (Amanda Bearse) want to attend the live "Jeffersons Movin On Up Tour." The result is a loud and outsized brawl--and not just at the sports bar. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this Navy spoof, a mismatched bunch of sailors are sent to sea as the incompetent crew of the U. S. S. Substandard, a faulty, unfinished submarine. Little does the crew of the Substandard know that the government doesn't intend for them to make it back to shore, as they encounter all kinds of crazy problems. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

Now forced to follow the orders of General Stockwell (Robert Vaughn) if they hope to receive pardons, the A-Team is dispatched behind the Iron Curtain to rescue defecting chemical-warfare scientist Dr. Strasser (Bo Brudin). To cover their tracks, the Team organizes a football game in East Germany, utilizing the talents of several professional players--including T.J. Bryant (Joe Namath), a longtime enemy of B.A. (Mr. T.). Unfortunately, the plan hits a snag when Strasser suddenly refuses to defect...but why? In addition to Joe Namath, this episode utilizes the talents of former gridiron stars Jim Brown and Jim Matuszak) (reportedly, Joe Montana was slated to appear, but professional conflicts prevented him from doing so). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Lee Marvin plays a CIA agent who lures a Soviet biological warfare expert aboard a European train in the hopes of murdering the expert, thus eliminating a world threat. Things go awry when the train is caught in an avalanche. ~ All Movie Guide

During the late '60s and early '70s, retired pro-football quarterback Joe Namath made a number of films. Last Rebel is one of them. Set in Missouri near the end of the American Civil War, Confederate soldiers Burnside Hollis (Joe Namath), a pool shark, and his friend Matt Graves (Jack Elam) rescue a black man from a lynching. Burnside begins to win pool matches for bigger and bigger stakes, and his friends begin to fall by the wayside as he woos the ladies and wins the games. The local madam (Victoria George), however, has a soft spot in her heart for him and watches with concern as the situation builds up for a showdown with his former friend Matt. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

In this romance, an ex-Marine begins looking for a fellow Vietnam vet in hopes of making it as musicians in New York. He does not realize it, but he is driving in stolen cars. After being chased by the police, he ditches the cars and hitchhikes the New York. By the time he arrives, his pal has already left. At the friend's former apartment, the Marine gets romantic with a hippie chick and begins singing in the Village where he finds audiences unreceptive. He then boards a bus where he meets a young woman on her way to marry a Marine who ends up refusing to marry her. Soon she and the musical Marine are traveling companions. They are accompanied by a trick chicken, and a midget. Just as he finally finds his friend, the girl states that she is pregnant and the honorable fellow offers to marry her, but she will not. Then her old fiancé appears and a fight ensues. She ends up going with him. When the singer finally gets his big chance, he sees the girl watching him and realizes they are in love. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide