By Shahnaz Mahmud

Major moments in sports activities historical past stay lengthy within the reminiscences of followers. But, typically it’s the off-the-field narratives — the behind-the-scenes tales of how these main moments got here to be — which can be transformative, with the ability to vary how we reside our lives for the higher. 

Enter the sports activities movie based mostly on a real story. 

When we observe the lives of athletes and their true private tales as informed by way of the narrative lens, their resonance is amplified. These are deeply human tales, ones that attain into our on a regular basis lives.

Consider the unique Brian’s Song from 1971. Chicago Bears teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers had been the primary interracial roommates within the National Football League; the beloved TV film displays the friendship that developed between the 2. 

And what about Chariots of Fire? The 1981 movie gained 4 Oscars, together with the award for Best Picture. The movie follows two British athletes who gained gold medals on the 1924 Paris Olympics, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell. Liddell, a religious Christian, famously refused to run the qualifying heats for the 100-meter race — his most well-liked occasion —as a result of they had been being held on a Sunday.

Sports movies — significantly these grounded in true tales — are so particular as a result of they’re transcendental, reaching our core humanity. And in some cases, they encourage us to be brave in our very personal pursuits. Here are 5 sports activities movies based mostly on actual tales that premiered on the Sundance Film Festival all through the years.