The story is based on a real-life event, the 1913 U.S. Open golf championship, at which two equally sympathetic young men, both of whom grew up economically and socially disadvantaged, go club to club in one of the most exciting and dramatic athletic events of the early 20th century. Though British star Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane) and the young American prodigy Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBoeuf) hail from opposite sides of the Atlantic, the struggles that the two young golfers have had to overcome are markedly similar; both grew up in hard-scrabble, working-class homes that happened to be adjacent to golf courses, and both were preternaturally disposed to the game. In addition, both must defy the disdain of the golfing gentry.
Directed by
Bill Paxton
Written by
Mark Frost
Starring
James Paxton (Young Harry Vardon), Luke Askew (Alec Campbell), Elias Koteas (Arthur Ouimet), Marnie McPhail (Mary Ouimet), Stephen Dillane (Harry Vardon), Shia LaBeouf (Francis Ouimet) & Nicolas Wright (Phillip Wainwright). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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A Great Family Movie
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
If you're not one yourself, the chances are you probably know at least one person that is a complete golf nut... and The Greatest Game Ever Played would make a perfect stocking-filler for that person at Christmas; and what's more a stocking-filler that won't drive the rest of the family crazy either! Shia LaBeouf turns in a strong yet subtle performance as Francis Ouimet, the young golf prodigy who takes on the pros against all the odds, in an inspirational story in which class is proved no barrier to success. In particular at the end of the film [plot revelations ahead] I liked the fact that the crowd gave Ouimet money voluntarily out of appreciation for him - there was no need for these exorbitant sums of prize money we see today; proof positive that if you're doing something honest that people enjoy to watch, God will provide. This is a great film for all the family.
