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Saipan

Play trailer Saipan 2025 1h 31m Biography Drama History Play Trailer Watchlist
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On the eve of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the Irish captain Roy Keane forfeits his place in the squad at the team's preparation base in Saipan, following a heated disagreement with the Irish manager Mick McCarthy.

Critics Reviews

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Robbie Collin Daily Telegraph (UK) Despite its limitations, Saipan gets the import and the mystery of that just right: it’s a watchable national identity crisis in microcosm. Rated: 3/5 Oct 22, 2025 Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) Co-directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn layer the melodrama with sly stylistic touches and clever cutaways. Rated: 4/5 Oct 15, 2025 Full Review Benjamin Lee Guardian At a game-length 91 minutes, Saipan smartly comes and goes with speed (for all of its anger, it’s also a breezy, funny time) but it’s the rare football movie that’s worth a replay. Rated: 4/5 Sep 8, 2025 Full Review Doug Jamieson The Jam Report It’s a film that may follow a familiar sports-biopic template, but it does so with intelligence, empathy, and a pair of powerhouse performances at its centre. Rated: 3/5 Oct 25, 2025 Full Review Daniel Allen In Review Online A film that manages to be both riveting and uproariously funny at various points. Oct 24, 2025 Full Review Emma Kiely Collider Saipan zeroes in on the clashing personalities that led to one of Ireland’s biggest modern controversies, resulting in a fascinating document of recent Irish history.. Rated: 8/10 Oct 19, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Lisa Barros D'Sa

Director

Glenn Leyburn

Director

Steve Coogan

Actor

Eanna Hardwicke

Actor

Aoife Hinds

Actor

Harriet Cains

Actor
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Saipan

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Movie Info

Synopsis On the eve of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the Irish captain Roy Keane forfeits his place in the squad at the team's preparation base in Saipan, following a heated disagreement with the Irish manager Mick McCarthy.
Director
Lisa Barros D'Sa, Glenn Leyburn
Producer
Trevor Birney, Oliver Butler, Macdara Kelleher, John Keville
Screenwriter
Paul Fraser
Production Co
Wild Atlantic Pictures, Finepoint Films
Genre
Biography, Drama, History
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 31m