One Night In Turin (Blu-ray)

Poor. After a terrific and compelling book, I'd hoped this would follow suit. It didn't. Poor coverage, poor "action-shots". It didn't evoke any memories or stir any emotion from having watched the tournament in my childhood. Can only assume it was lacking budget?

This World Cup campaign took place against a political backdrop of riots due to the poll tax, hooliganism and requests from No. 10 for England to withdraw from the tournament. This alone should show how much football has changed in the years since. The documentary also shows the extent to which the print media were easily swayed. Pre tournament Bobby Robson obtains another job with PSV and is villifed for this choice. Post tournament he still goes to PSV but as a hero. Key difference between the DVD and the Blu Ray is the very good sound quality. Lots of good asides, would have preferred some more extras (England goals from the tournament for example), but this is a terrific warm up for this WC and brought back a lot of memories for me. Some might regard the late 80s as having features which should be brought back (terraces and cheap tickets), but few go to the game worried for their safety now or the safety of friends or children. For that we should be grateful. To Gazza, we owe an emotional debt as he allowed men to cry in public and still be regarded as men.

Saw at cinema night of its release. Great film/documentary, really takes you back to the moment. Well put together using old footage to bring the story of that summer in to light. Some great interviews with fans at the time and of recent events occuring roundabout.

Sir Bobby Robson and Gazza feature a lot, only a good thing. Some funny moments and Gazza doesn't fail in entertaining.

Can't wait till this is released at the end of the month, I'll be pre-ordering, to watch again with my mates and family at home.

July 1990 and the English football team prepares to meet their arch-nemesis, West Germany, to take them into the World Cup Final. One moment in time given some fascinating context: the team's coach Bobby Robson was on his final game, the tournament had seen the birth of a new star in the unpredictable shape of Paul Gascoigne, England's football fans were seen as being the worst in the world following constant trouble, and England itself was virtually broken, lurching out of an economic downturn and saddled with a government that was on its last legs. It's a great story to tell, nearly spoiled by some overly pretentious narration and some rather archly inserted cutaway shots.

more about hooligans and bad footage than football. poor action and a complete waste of money. the poorest blu ray of all time