Murderball

Aug 5 2005 R 1h 28m
Documentary, Sport

Quadriplegics, who play full-contact rugby in wheelchairs, overcome unimaginable obstacles to compete in the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Plot

Quad rugby as played by the US team, between 2002 games in Sweden and the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. Young men, most with spinal injuries, play this rough and tumble sport in special chairs, seated gladiators. We get to know several and their families. They talk frankly about their injuries, feelings in public, sex lives, competitiveness, and love of the game. There's also an angry former team member gone north to coach the Canadian team, tough on everyone, including his viola-playing son. We meet a recently injured man, in rehab, at times close to despair, finding possible joy in quad rugby. After Athens, the team meets young men injured in war: the future stars of Team USA.

Written by

Dana Adam Shapiro

Directed by

Henry Alex Rubin, Dana Adam Shapiro

Production Countries

United States of America

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 17 wins & 13 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
10,572
Average Rating
7.7 out of 10
Metascore
87
Popularity
NA