The Only Real Game

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The Only Real Game

2013

1h 22m

Documentary

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In the embattled border state of Manipur in northeast India, people defy civil war, drugs and disease by playing baseball.

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Ronnie Scheib

Variety

[A] clear-eyed snapshot of sports hope struggling against socioeconomic stagnation.

Jun 19, 2014

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

A stirring ode to cultural bridge-building.

Jun 19, 2014

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Neil Genzlinger

New York Times

The history lesson is fascinating, and it's nice to see an American export other than a Hollywood blockbuster engendering good will.

Jun 5, 2014

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Simi Horwitz

Film Journal International

The Only Real Game is refreshingly devoid of sentimentality, yet despite itself oddly affirmative.

Nov 5, 2014

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Louis Proyect

rec.arts.movies.reviews

A documentary about the love of baseball in a region of India that is a cauldron of resistance to colonialism. What's not to like?

Oct 20, 2014

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Audience Member

Fantastic! .....well done piece with a beautiful back-story and incredibly interesting feature characters. Baseball Fans & Veterans......you'll love this story!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

This phenomenal film is beautiful, just like the people of Manipur. In the presence of conflict and injustice, their love, determination to play the game and to see their dreams fulfilled is unwavering.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

Great documentary and humanitarian story. It's inspiring to see acts of good-will being conducted across the world and how these impact people's lives.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

Saw this movie last night during its limited run in NYC. The film was educational, moving, and multi-layered. The Only Real Game is a story of people who have struggled with war and poverty since World War II. The community finds solace in sport, namely baseball. The film also has an interesting feminist component. The solidarity and strength of the women who work, sacrifice, and stand up to the government to protect their families was moving. Finally, the filmmakers capture the fear, spirit, and, ultimately, the hope of the youth of the region as expressed through playing baseball. In short, The Only Real Game is a must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

There is complex interplay between the history and love of baseball for the Manipuris, the fight of the oppressed in India's northeast, and America's Major League Baseball expanding the reach of the game. Loved some of the surprising revelations about the community and game as it is played there.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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Audience Member

The Only Real Game was both inspiring and well documented. Every child and adult that ever played baseball or attended a game should see this fil!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Mirra Bank

Director

Melissa Leo

Narrator

Mirra Bank

Producer

Richard Brockman

Producer

Muriel Peters

Producer

Laine Valentino

Producer

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Synopsis

In the embattled border state of Manipur in northeast India, people defy civil war, drugs and disease by playing baseball.

Director: Mirra Bank
Producer: Mirra Bank, Richard Brockman, Muriel Peters, Laine Valentino
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 22, 2016
Runtime: 1h 22m

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