If you haven't heard yet, ESPN has been airing a plethora of sports-themed movies in a series they are calling 30 for 30. I first came across the show about three months ago, watching a film about Reggie called, Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks. The film was great, looking at Miller's interaction with Knicks fans and the City of New York in the spring of 1994 and 1995. The series is the brainchild of ESPN.com columnist Bill Simmons, whose idea was to have well-known directors develop short films about significant sporting events from the past 30 years. Hollywood was quick to get involved, and the line-up now features movies from such prominent directors as Barry Levinson (Rain Man), John Singleton (Boys n' the Hood), and Ron Shelton (Bull Durham). I decided I would be sure to watch more of these movies and I'd keep my eyes open for more 30 for 30. Of course, I didn't come across one for quite some time, as the show doesn't have a regularly scheduled broadcast here in Canada. And while modern technology like PVR's and on screen schedules make it as easy as pie to find, I am quite lazy so I didn't set anything up to record.
Last week however, I came across another gem, this one called June 17th, 1994, which looks back at the day OJ Simpson made his infamous flight from justice (or lack there of) in a low speed car chase through Los Angeles. Directed by Brett Morgen, the documentary not only looks at Simpson's day from sun up to sundown, but also what else was happening in the world of sports that same day. Although the Simpson story dominated the headlines that day, June 17th, 1994 was also a busy day in the sporting world. In New York City, the Rangers were preparing to host their first Stanley Cup parade in 54 years, after winning the cup in seven games against the Canucks (thank god!), while their arena-mates, the New York Knicks, were preparing to play the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of the NBA Finals and win their first title since 1973. Moving West, to Oakmont, Pennsylvania, Arnold Palmer was teeing off in what would be his final competitive round in the US Open. The King's finals competitive round wasn't simply the end of a career, but also the end of an era. Finally, in Chicago, Soldier Field was hosting the Opening Ceremonies and the first game of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the largest sporting event of in the world.
Even with so much going on, the fact that OJ Simpson had been charged with two counts of murder was dominating every news outlet in the country. The story was on the front page of every newspaper and both national and local TV news broadcasts were using it as their lead story. It is this extensive coverage that allowed Brett Morgen to make such a compelling, interesting and unique documentary film. While most documentaries use a narrator and a series of interviews to tell their story, June 17th, 1994 merely strings together archived footage from that day, be it from news broadcasts or sporting events. It is amazing how much coverage was actually recorded that day and without it this movie would only be another documentary. Clips are shown from baseball games, Sportscenter, entertainment magazines and National evening news broadcasts. NBC even cut away from the middle of Game 5 of the NBA Finals to update Simpson's status. Not at a commercial break or during a stoppage in play, but while the clock was still ticking down.
In an interview, director Brett Morgen talks about how this day marked a turning point in American society. He argues this day showed people were more interested in 'reality' than anything else, as they'd rather watch a white Bronco drive down the freeway than watch a championship basketball game. The OJ Simpson case marked the beginning of CNN broadcasting celebrity news, started CourtTV, and ushered in an era of a focus on celebrity tabloid news and reality television. A trend that continues today.
June 17th, 1994 is the most unique film I've seen this year, and perhaps also the best. I have made sure to set the PVR up now to automatically record any 30 for 30 film that may come along, which incidentally, will be a re-airing of the Reggie Miller film today at 10:30 on channels 21 and 219. Following that will be a film about fantasy football called Silly Little Game, airing on Saturday at 11:00AM on channel 153. Check your local listings.
June 17th, 1994
-The Rev
twitter.com/TheRevBW
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