This is the same film that Sean Combs aka P. Diddy (or whatever he's calling himself these days) jumped on the bandwagon for, as executive producer, much earlier this year, before its release. At the time, it was also reported that Diddy would exec produce the feature film remake that The Weinstein Company was reportedly developing.
The Academy Award-winning (for documentary feature) football doc was directed by Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Matin, and centers on a single defining season of the Memphis Manassas Tigers high school football team; a severely underfunded and underprivileged program attempting a winning season after years of losses, whose fortunes reverse thanks to an immensely-devoted coach named Bill Courtney.
The film received critical acclaim at ,and after its SXSW debut in March 2011, and was quickly snatched up by The Weinstein Company for distribution AND remake rights.
Having seen it, it's certainly worthy of all the acclaim, and its Oscar nom.
If you didn't see it, and are interested, you'll be glad to know that it'll be released on Blu-ray and DVD in February 2013.
All the details on that via press release below; trailer underneath:
FROM ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT and THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY: A TRUE STORY OF HARD KNOCKS AND OVERCOMING OBSTACLES THAT WILL LIFT YOUR SPIRITS, THE 2011 OSCAR®-WINNING DOCUMENTARY UNDEFEATED
A Rousing And Inspirational Film About An Underdog Football Team And The Coach That Helped Them Realize Their Dreams, Undefeated Hits The Field On Blu-Ray™ And DVD On February 19, 2013!
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Anchor Bay Entertainment and The Weinstein Company announced today the Blu-ray™ and DVD release of the uplifting Oscar®-winning football documentary, UNDEFEATED, a directorial collaboration from filmmakers Dan Lindsay (Why Us?) and TJ Martin (A Day of Hype in America). A true story about courage and character, UNDEFEATED follows the Manassas Tigers – a severely underfunded and underprivileged high school football team – as they endeavor to reverse their fortunes with the help of a volunteer coach, Bill Courtney. Heading to retail on February 19, 2013 for an SRP of $24.99 for the Blu-ray™ and $19.98 for the DVD, UNDEFEATED is a one-of-a-kind sports movie that will thrill and inspire – a moving affirmation of all that is best in us and all that is possible.
UNDEFEATED is “Irresistible,” said New York Times film critic, Manohla Dargis. Wrote Marshall Fine in his STAR Magazine review, “This is a sports movie with heart! You’ll be cheering until the end.” Added Entertainment Weekly’s Owen Gleiberman, “Suffice it to say that the agony of defeat in this movie is every bit as transporting as the thrill of victory.”
No hope. No future… Until a football season united a team and revealed the character that turned them into heroes. UNDEFEATED, an Academy Award®-winning documentary (2011 Best Documentary Feature – Dan Lindsay, TJ Martin and Rich Middlemas), is the inspiring and moving tale of three underprivileged student-athletes from inner-city Memphis and their volunteer coach, Bill Courtney, trying to help them beat the odds on and off the field.
The UNDEFEATED Blu-ray™ and DVD special features include an Audio Commentary with directors Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin; Deleted Scenes; a Black and White Teaser Trailer; and a “The Making of Undefeated” featurette. Note: Special features are subject to change.
Learn more about UNDEFEATED at: www.undefeatedmovie.com
