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Saipan

Play trailer Saipan 2025 1h 31m Biography Drama History Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 17 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
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) Oct 22
3/5
Despite its limitations, Saipan gets the import and the mystery of that just right: it’s a watchable national identity crisis in microcosm. Go to Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) Oct 15
4/5
Co-directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn layer the melodrama with sly stylistic touches and clever cutaways. Go to Full Review Benjamin Lee Guardian Sep 8
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Doug Jamieson The Jam Report Oct 25
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Daniel Allen In Review Online Oct 24
A film that manages to be both riveting and uproariously funny at various points. Go to Full Review Emma Kiely Collider Oct 19
8/10
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.. Go to 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