Customer Reviews

ESPN Films 30 for 30: The U

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This comprehensive film featuring archival footage, interviews with players and coaches tells the story of how a tiny private school from the laid back town of Coral Gables Florida became a college football powerhouse.

"The U" as the University of Miami students refer to it was the school that defined swagger. Not to be lost is the fact that they hwon 5 national championships in 18 years and set the standard for recruiting and on field performance. The Hurricanes also set records for consecutive home wins, consecutive years with a first round selection on the NFL draft, and showboating penalties.

If you are a fan of college football, and especially football with an attitude, you won't be dissapointed by this DVD. "It's all about The U!"

Although the packaging does not say, this ESPN 30 on 30 episode of "The U" is in 16:9 (HD) widescreen format. It's a fantastic profile of the Miami Hurricane football program.

This is a special two-disc edition which contains deleted scenes (on disc-1) and on disc-2 (standard 4:3 full screen) contains four condensed games including the first "wide right" game against Florida State. No self respecting U alum can go without this disc. Highly entertaining and highly recommended!

If you grew up watching University of Miami dominate college football (as I did) this is a fascinating review of how the program was built up from nothing and then sustained itself across multiple head coaches into the 1990's. But where the film fails is in its unapologetic look at the behavior of some of the players. Robert Bailey's obvious glee at purposely knocking out another player is one example. Randall Hill refusing to take responsibility for imbecilic post-TD idiocy at the Cotton Bowl is another. While I applaud the work done by guys who came out of troubled neighborhoods, I also know basic sportsmanship and right and wrong. To justify that behavior behind quasi-rascist screen of "cultural differences" is an insult to the audience.

Outakes aren't much to write home about, but the film itself remains an amazing piece of work. I heard someone say that the movie makes the Canes fan love them more, and the Canes hater dislike them more intensely. That is spot on.

As a Canes fan, even though I would have loved to have seen more game footage, and more talk about the big games they won along the way, it is still an amazing recap of the greatest period of dominance in modern football history.

Also, the condensed games are a lot of fun for the Canes fans. I had forgotten the South Carolina game (I was there), and rewatching those games with my kids was great.

This film gives you the history of The University of Miami Football team and also is a motivational film for UM players and fans. If you consider yourself a UM fan or don't know which school to pick...watch this amazing film.

My husband & I saw this on TV as a special but getting the DVD & with the bonus DVD it was perfect. He loves it! He travels a lot for work & he takes it with me ever trip! I absolutely recommend this to all THE U fans! This takes you back to when The U became The U. The original Bad Boyz of the 80s!!! Love it!

I had seen The U on ESPN and enjoyed it, so I wanted to own it. It was a very accurate history of The U's football team. Being an UM alum and an avid football fan purchasing the movie was a must.

Great football documentary if you're a college football fan, and if you're a University of Miami fotball fan it's even better. This could've been even better if the University of Miami had given the director of the film permission to talk to their current employees.

Citizen Kane blows compared to this movie.

Get some.

Swagger.

From Schnellenberger to Johnson to Erickson - the odyssey of "The U" is unfolded for the world to understand.

It should be required viewing for any player who thinks he has the muster to uphold the standards set in a time where America wasn't ready for talented, charismatic, focused and fun-loving football players from an untraditional football school. Playing with heart, desire and attitude are just the starters for the requisite Cane. This film embodies how "swagger" became part of the football lexicon. How Dancing With The Stars was started (not really, but Warren Sapp even went pro in this area!). Everyone trash talked. But the U did it out loud. It isn't bragging when you can back it up. "The U" lays it out.

Billy Corbin's quest for the truth reaches into the past like you reach into box in the attic, looking for that photo of better days.
His craft is in letting the participants tell the story. Don't expect to see University of Miami Administrators publicly trumpeting the accomplishments most schools would sell their souls to have and only dream to achieve. At the same time, those same bureaucrats cash the checks U trinkets, jerseys and outer wear bring in. They denounce and some even try to hide the bad Uncle in the closet, hoping no one will notice he's part of the family. Corbin did try to get many more angles on this story but was stone-walled at every turn. Even without the President or Trustees, this film has merit and integrity. What you see - happened - an no names were changed to protect the guilty!

You'll see and hear from Michael Irvin, Benny Blades, Alonzo Highsmith and Melvin Bratton, just to name a few. They cherish their days at the U and are the founding fathers and the reason why when you see Ed Reed or Frank Gore or Jeremy Shockey or Santana Moss or Devin Hester introduce themselves on national television and their school is "The U".

If you're a college football fan, like or loathe The U, watch this film and you'll have a better understanding of the beast. It's not unlike the team you follow, these guys just didn't care what you thought about them. And frankly, even today, they don't care what you think about them. They're older, grayer and a few pounds heavier, but their passion is the tradition they created, the rings they wear and the success they've obtained.

I dare you to watch this film with an open mind and not walk away with at the very least, an appreciation for where they came from and what they ultimately accomplished.

I was there and it DID HAPPEN.

"The U", Directed by Billy Corbin gets FIVE Ring Fingers (1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001)