Pelé

Directors: David Tryhorn, Ben Nicholas (2021)

Cast: Pelé

Before Beckham, there was Pelé. Je was the forefather of what was to come worldwide and this documentary delivers.

A biographical documentary about Pelé, tracing his rise from incredibly humble beginnings as the son  of a professional footballer to becoming the most famous footballer on the planet and a genuine global icon.

The stratospheric highs of winning three World Cup titles with Brazil and the devastating lows of falling out of the love with the game and being injured at two World Cups are covered via loads of archival and personal footage, but the film traces a key period in Brazil’s political history as well.

Still developing as a modern nation when Pelé was on the rise, Brazil was a democracy before a military coup brought in a dictator ship that shook the country and had many asking Pelé — “The King” — to choose a side.

Opinion/Review: This is what a superstar looks like. In total control, magnetic, thoughtful, open and honest. And effortless. Pelé makes everything seem effortless, on and off the pitch, and in sitting for this documentary he makes you feel as he’s sitting with you, talking to you. Is the definition of infectious, and the film is brilliantly structured, never getting bogged down by too much negativity and never over-celebratory of the good times. Best line of the film: “Pelé didn’t make the difference. He WAS the difference.”

Fun Facts: Pelé’s full name is Edson Arantes do Nasciment. … The FIFA world gala in 2000, Pelé and Argentina’s Diego Maradona were named co-Players of the Century.  … Pelé’s 1,279 goals in 1,363 matches is recognized as a Guinness World Record.