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  Specs
  • Full Frame
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
    English
  Extras
  • 2 Teaser trailer - Leunig Animated, Calle 54
  • 7 Featurette
  • Interviews - Rod Hay

Height of Passion

Madman Entertainment/AV Channel . R4 . COLOR . 208 mins . G . PAL

  Feature
Contract

The dictionary describes the word passion as "A powerful emotion, such as love, joy, hatred, or anger". All of these emotions can so easily portray the feelings of many a football fan towards the game. These emotions are part of being a football fan, but more so when it comes to club loyalty.

Height of Passion is a Forza Films production, aired through the SBS Television Network here in Australia, that looks at local rivalries in the world of football. The two disc set is split into four 52 minute episodes entitled Italy, Spain, Argentina and Brazil. Each episode focuses on two particular clubs from the respective countries and the intense rivalry between them. It looks at the history that has enforced that rivalry and where the rivalry currently stands.

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Passion on a larger scale

Italy covers the giant Milan clubs AC Milan and Internationale. The rivalry between these two clubs is one of the most intense in the world and splits the city in half. Spain covers the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Like its Italian counterparts, this rivalry is also an intense one that is recognised the world over. Politics play a big part in this rivalry, more so than most and the need to outdo each other is, more often than not, more important that winning trophies or position on the ladder.

Argentina looks at the fanatical support and rivalry between Boca Juniors and River Plate, possibly the much better known clubs from the country and the fiercest of rivals. Much like the previous episodes, the history of the clubs is also covered. Brazil looks at another fanatical rivalry between Rio residents Vasco and Flamengo.

The stars of each club are touched upon, the recent ones at any rate, and include names such as Ronaldo, Maradona, Edmundo, Romario, Raul - the list is endless. The series is a little dated with stars such as Ronaldo still playing for Inter Milan, now he is one of the many stars earning a living at Real Madrid, but it would be impossible to be completely up to date all the time with the many movements between clubs.

This is an interesting series and one that fans of each respective club should enjoy. The biggest disappointment for this football fan, however, is the exclusion of what I would class as equally intense rivalries from other countries along with some in the countries covered. For example SBS have chosen to focus on the Milan Derby in Italy while many Italians may class the Rome Derby between AS Roma and Lazio or even the Turin Derby between Torino and Juventus as at least of equal ferocity to the Milan Derby.

Rivalries in other countries, again of equal importance, have been overlooked. In England alone there is Arsenal versus Tottenham, Everton versus Liverpool, Manchester United versus Manchester City, Chelsea versus West Ham United, Aston Villa versus Birmingham City and these are only the higher leagues of England. With so many clubs located in London, Yorkshire and the Midlands there are rivalries almost every weekend in the English football fixture list. I am sure Scottish fans will be up in arms over their exclusion here also. The Glasgow Old Firm Derby between Celtic and Rangers is easily one of the bitterest rivalries there is. Based not only on football club preference but mainly on religious background, these two clubs value the upper hand over each other above all else.

Obviously not all football club rivalries can be covered in a series such as this, or it would probably require a set of ten discs or more. The choices they have made for this series are interesting ones and are certainly fierce rivalries that deserve to be included. Les Murray is possibly the foremost authority on football in this country and deserves the utmost respect, but his voice does wear thin after a while. He does an admirable job here though and if you watch the episodes in separate sittings this should not be an issue for you.

  Video
Contract

Picture is supplied in full frame and offers varying quality - mostly very good. Being a made for television series, the picture is generally sharp with some vibrant colours and good shadow detail. Particularly with the South American footage, club colours are everywhere and these are rich and natural. Older footage used is also of reasonable quality considering its age. Aliasing is an occasional nuisance, but not too much of a hindrance. Subtitles are supplied for the non English dialogue and these are easy to read.

  Audio
Contract

Audio is supplied in Dolby Digital 2.0 and does a fine job. Being a dialogue-driven series, it is important that the voice of Les Murray and other contributors is clear at all times and this is never an issue. Crowd noise is also well balanced and the small amount of music used is clear. There are no audio synch problems.

  Extras
Contract

There are quite a few extras included on both discs, the majority being brief featurettes. On disc one there is the following; Pele Profile 2.49, Maradona Profile 5.29, Social Background (Latin America and Football) 1.32, Passion & Culture (Montage of Latin America Football) .58, Tahuichi Football Academy in Bolivia 3.43, Candomble (Witchcraft and Football) 2.20, El Cole (Condor Man – Fanatical Supporter for Columbia) 3.57 along with DVD Credits which is basically a link to Madman. All these featurettes are very interesting and set out well for easy access. They are generally items that will hold benefit for repeat viewings.

Disc two is very much lighter in the extras department. Firstly there is an eight minute interview with the producer/director Rod Hay. Next is an advertisement for football books which looks at former Socceroos Captain Johnny Warren's book Sheilas, Wogs and Pooftas along with the SBS Dictionary of Soccer. There are also two teaser trailers for Leunig Animated and Calle 54 and another DVD credits, the same as on disc one.

  Overall  
Contract

Overall this is an informative series from the leaders in Australian soccer, SBS Television. The only criticism is that many local club rivalries are not included, but taking this into account the clubs covered are worthy of their inclusion. You will never satisfy all football fans al of the time with such a release, but most will not be disappointed with this series.


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      And I quote...
    "SBS takes a look at some of the football rivalries of the world."
    - Adrian Turvey
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