Hero: The Official Film of the 1986 FIFA World Cup (1986) - 8/10

I didn’t know this film existed until the build up of the 2026 instalment. What a great primer for the tournament though. Yes it’s very much an overview summary, with Michael Caine filling in the gaps through narration, over some fantastic archive footage, both on and off the pitch. In a world where ever present video cameras have yet to infiltrate, the focus is on the star players, Maradona, Sanchez, Laudrup, Platini, Lineker, Socrates, Rummenigge and a colourful array of passionate fans, all accompanied by a twee 80s score, that’s both terrible and brilliant in equal measure. The match action is tight and energetic, often left to breathe with its native commentary. It’s worth watching for the Brazil v France match alone, packed with flair, tension and controversy. It’s nearly an hour in before we meet the England side, packed with my boyhood hero’s. Mexico 86 is the first World Cup I remember as a 9 year old and this really does trigger some wonderful memories… and thoughts of what if. The hero is the title is far-fetched, but this is a beautiful time capsule of the beautiful game.

8/10