Critic Reviews

• Tom Huddleston, Time Out

  'Undefeated' is no 'Hoop Dreams', but it's sturdily built and worthwhile.

• Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

  It's a surprisingly moving, emotional film, even for those who (like me) know little of football; by its end, you just might be blinking away a few tears.

• Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

  Volunteer high school coach Bill Courtney says, "Football doesn't build character. Football reveals character." The triumphant sports documentary "Undefeated" proves that it does both.

• Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

  [A] winning documentary.

• Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

  [A] stirring, emotional portrait of a high school football team in the impoverished neighborhood of North Memphis, Tenn.

• Tom Long, Detroit News

  It's a bit too long and a bit too vague at times, but this is a film about dedication, progress and the bond of human effort. It just also happens to include football.

• MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher

  [E]xtraordinary in how it turns upside-down the typical feel-good, triumph-of-the-underdogs tropes of the subgenre...

• Stephen Carty, Flix Capacitor

  one or two scenes feel like they're been manipulated for maximum tear-jerkery (see the surprise, last-minute scholarship), but Coach Courtney is a very watchable central figure.

• Cameron Williams, The Popcorn Junkie

  A reminder of the power of good in a world where most people get too caught up in superficial matters. A wonderful documentary that will point life's purpose in the right direction.

• Adam Ross, The Aristocrat

  Undefeated is far more interested in the resilience of the human spirit than one hundred yards of green turf.

• , Film4

  Undefeated is all heart. Even those who couldn't care less about American Football will find this an affecting story about a man who really gives one hell of a damn.

• Philip French, Observer [UK]

  It's an affecting and encouraging story.

• Allan Hunter, Daily Express

  Even if you have no interest in American football this is a compelling and inspirational story that brings a tear to the eye.

• Henry Barnes, Guardian [UK]

  All eyes are on the ball, while the future screams from the sidelines.

• Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph

  Undefeated works the whole macho-sentimental template so vigorously and well it's practically a reflexive response to cry foul, but you'd have to find heroic reserves of cynicism not to care at all about the precarious fortunes of these unformed bruisers.

• Nigel Andrews, Financial Times

  A watchable movie, no question. But perhaps best filed under guilty pleasures.

• Matt Bochenski, Little White Lies

  Can take its place proudly alongside the best in the genre.

• Matthew Turner, ViewLondon

  Gripping, well made and genuinely inspirational documentary that packs a powerful emotional punch, even if some of the scenes seem suspiciously contrived for maximum tear-jerking purposes.

• Ian Freer, Empire Magazine

  It may be a film that feels rather than analyses, but Undefeated is a compelling, uplifting experience that can't fail to move even the most US football-phobic.

• Paul Gallagher, The List

  This is a valuable story from what one interview subject aptly refers to as the 'have-nots' of one of America's richest sports.

Read all 25 critic reviews