User reviews

This might not be a great movie, but it's a long way from being a bad one. The plot is standard sports movie material - plucky underdogs, previous grudges, former star slipping down the sports food chain, last chance at glory - but it's carried off with some style.

Robert Duvall is good, and draws on several well known soccer managers from UK mining towns for his portrayal. British viewers can play 'spot the managerial reference'. Reviewers in Scotland were critical of Duvall's accent, but it's not that bad, although it veers in to an Irish accent once or twice. Writing from Scotland, I would have thought it would sound pretty convincing to non-Scottish viewers.

Ally McCoist does well, and the references to his own career are entertaining. The football scenes are well done, and far better than some other soccer movies. Compared to 'Escape to Victory', for example, it's a soccer masterclass.

Our soccer-mad son would enjoy it, but the language in the movie and a sex scene makes it unsuitable (although the swearing is toned down compared to most football matches I've attended). Overall, a decent film that will probably increase in appeal over the years as the local furore over accents and football loyalties is forgotten.

Watched this on a recommendation from a friend (a rangers fan) and was surprised that i actually enjoyed the movie. Being a Scot a lot of the football footage, the players and stadiums were familiar and even sometimes it was hard to tell that a lot of it was computer generated, in fact it was better done than Sky Ones Dream Team! Tell me was it Cliftonhill that Kilnochie are meant to be based? The fact that many of the players were in fact footballers made it more realistic to watch unlike Dream TEam where its all just actors I found it both funny and good that McCoist was an ex Celtic player and i was pleased how he hated that sectarian hatred in the Old Firm. References to 'its only a game' was just what this country needs and i admire his bravery in taking upon a role that saw him (albeit superimposed) in a Celtic shirt when he is a Rangers legend.

Anyway once i got over some of the dodgy accents (and what would the English guy know about Scots accents Wolfman?) i really enjoyed the movie, any football fan can relate to the fans and i just loved the guy that could just not watch the game, we have all been there! Its all about the underdogs the Scottish Cup and the movies name reflects this. The romance of the cup, the days out, the buzz in the town, its all captured terrifically and being a fan of a 2nd division team i know! All in all a good film and recommended, especially to fans of the bigot brothers where religion has no place in this film. You may just enjoy it!

Well it looks as though, like Marmite, you either love or hate this movie. I saw it in an empty cinema in Edinburgh with a friend of mine who doesn't like football (soccer) but is a huge film buff. It's a shame the theatre was so quiet, as there were some good moments that deserved a higher attendance. Ally McCoist in particular belies his lack of acting experience and shows of his lovable rouge persona that British TV viewers will be familiar with from A Question of Sport.

Robert Duvall for me looked like he was having fun, but his accent is really hit and miss, going from Groundskeeper Willie to Sean Connery via Brigadoon. To be fair to Duvall, the area of Scotland the film is set is known for it's accent, which is different from the main cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow (Scotland has many local dialects and accents so it's difficult to have a true representation of the accent).

Sadly Michael Keaton doesn't add anything to the movie other than a name. While it may have helped secure funding, Keaton doesn't do much apart from play the pantomime baddie, and as such his part in the proceedings is minimal. Unless you are a massive Keaton fan it's not worth watching his performance.

In general though, it's a fun way to spend 90 minutes, certainly more entertaining than watching a real game of Scottish Premier League action. If you are Scottish, you'll have fun spotting the players, ex-players and commentators; if you're a fan of underdog-beats-the-odds movies, you'll get a kick from seeing how the small team gets stronger as the cup goes on and if you just like movies there is enough to keep you watching without reaching for the remote.

It's difficult to make a movie about football (soccer) that will satisfy one's appetite for interesting match scenes as well as a desire for a worthwhile plot. 'A Shot at Glory' certainly does not pull this off, but it is an attempt worth watching in any case.

The plot is rather mediocre, but at least it is somewhat linked to the fortunes of the team itself. Nosy American owner (Keaton) buys team, threatens to move it to Ireland if aging coach (Duvall) can't win the Scottish Cup. The second strand of the plot involves the former Golden Boot winner (McCoist) brought in by the owner, who is the somewhat estranged son-in-law of the coach. The third element, of course, is the performance of the team itself. There is certainly some awful dialog in the film, but it quickly passes from memory once the matches begin.

In comparison to 'Bend It Like Beckham' and 'Mean Machine,' the two football-related films 'A Shot at Glory' can easily be weighed against, the film at hand establishes itself as the clear choice in terms of the realism of the matches. The experience of watching each match is rather like watching a cinematic version of Championship Manager -- there is very little continuity between moves, but it somehow seems to make sense.

At the end of the day, 'A Shot at Glory' is well worth watching if you are looking for a well-executed football movie. The plot may be formulaic, but the match scenes put many others to shame.

No sports movie can ever disappoint me that's for sure. A shot at Glory is a sports drama based out of Scotland. It circles around the Celtic-Rangers rivalry that has been dubbed the "Old Firm".

Starring Robert Duvall as Gordon McCloud, coach of a second tier Scottish team recently bought by an American owner Peter Cameroon (Michael Keaton) who's desperate to move the club to Dublin. In order to save the club he accepts the signing of two time golden boot winner & ex-Celtic striker Jackie McQuillan, who apart from lacking discipline is also his ex- son-in law. Being a Protestant himself McCloud is on Ranger's side and despises his daughter for marrying a catholic (Celtic).

So, will McCloud against all odds be able to lead his club to a Cup glory and prevent the inevitable by putting is personal grudge aside? Will McQuillan able to change his reputation of a team-killer?

Watch this drama which has plenty of game time in it.

I am not Scottish and to me Robert Duvall's accent playing a Scot sounds good. But this also can't help but make me wonder. First, to a Scottish viewer, is his accent acceptable? Second, even if it is, why pick an American actor to appear in this movie set in the UK? And, for that matter, why make the owner an American (Michael Keaton) and the backup goalie an American as well? After all, the film is about Scottish football (soccer). I also am confused by this, since American audiences probably don't care much for a film about Scottish soccer.

The story is about a second division team which somehow manages to do great in the football tournament. It particularly focuses on the flawed coach (Duvall) and the even more flawed (and screwy) star player who is incredibly talented...but also a mess personally.

So is it any good? Well, it's okay. My biggest problems with the film is that I really didn't care whether or not the team wins. The film just didn't do enough to make the viewer care and the main characters were incredibly flawed. The other problem is that the story all seems very familiar...perhaps too familiar and with a few too many cliches. Overall, it's neither a great film nor a particularly bad one in my opinion...but it could have been much more enjoyable with a slight rewrite to give the audience more reason to care other than just that the team are underdogs.

To start with, is hard to know if you should blame Duvall's lame Scottish accent om himself or the casting. Brad Pitt's performance on Snatch makes this a little bit harder on Mr. Duvall.

Second, a soccer fan feels appalled watching this production. It is transparent that whoever wrote and directed this did not bother to actually understand the sport. I am not saying someone should go to med school in order to act in E.R., but a minimal understanding of the subject is expected.

Last, but not least, the sound mixing. The dinner with the manager and his wife is just impossible to stand. It seems the microphone is inside his mouth.

Summarizing, a good story in the wrong hands and a terrible choice for Robert Duvall.

I just saw this movie on TV, and watched mainly for the appearance of Michael Keaton, one of my favorite actors, who always does a great job, whether in a comedy or a drama. This film is well worth watching, in particular for Robert Duvall's performance, and his mastery of the Scottish accent. When I first heard him speak I had to look twice, to be sure it was "himself". What a heartwarming, and exciting film it is! Even if you're not a soccer fan, there is plenty of action, along with the heart and humor. Most entertaining.

People who are living in America are usually calling this game soccer and other people from all around the world football.I don't like this soccer term so I'm going to use word football.So this is a football movie.Movie about this excellent game and probably about most popular sport on this planet.

This movie is about one little club from Scotland who is playing in second league.Their manager (coach) is Gordon McLeod (Duvall),a man who dedicated his life for football.In their club soon arrives big star.A player Jackie McQuillan (McCoist) who is at the end of his career,but who still knows how to play football.McQuillan is married to McLeod's daughter Kate and they have a young boy.McLeod never talked to much with his daughter because he never really liked McQuillan.Owner of the club is American Peter Cameron (Keaton) who wants to move the team to Ireland and he gives an ultimatum to McQuillan:he has to make some good results or else the club will be moved.Excellent chance for doing some progress is in Scottish cup.

This movie is about the people who are living their lives for football and on that level this movie is very well.But they could also do a little better when the camera is shooting the game.I cannot say that this isn't a good movie and it is certainly one of the best football movies but somehow I feel they could do even better.

Robert Duvall played his role very well and I'm really astonished how he spoked with Scottish accent.Michael Keaton and Brian Cox are good and I want to also mention Ally McCoist and Kirsty Mitchell because I think they did good job.There are lots of real players in this movie and I'm glad that actors like Duvall and Keaton like football although they are from America.

This is the worst film of all time. Its so crap its actually funny. Robert Duvall's accent is ridiculous. The acting is horrific. Anyone seeing this rubbish who didn't know better would have an extremely tainted view of life in Scotland. We don't all live in a Broons cartoon for god sakes. I actually support Raith Rovers (many of whose players and John 'Gie the lads a slap, Allegedly' McVeigh, feature) and thats the only highlight for me, i never thought Steve Tosh would have his own IMDb page. The mind boggles!!!!!

This is a horrible horrible piece of cinema, if its playing at a theater near you, burn the place down, if its in a video shop, burn it down, if its in your house, burn it down (just in case). All memory of this must be destroyed.

Duvall, McCoist, McVeigh, Agathe, Smith, Tosh your boys took one hell of a beating, one hell of a beating.

I see that many people are critical of whether or not this is a realistic movie. I agree that the American owner and Michael Keaton were not realistic or needed. I would have preferred a different angle. I enjoyed the movie and loved the setting of Scotland. The game sequences were very good.

The love interest was not over done. Once I saw the movie, I wondered why more soccer films haven't appeared. It's a great sport and makes for great action in a movie.

As always, Robert Duval is great. I think he could carry even the worst film. I recommend this movie.

Found this one on the Clearance rack at the local Video Parlour. Once you get used to Robert Duvall with a Scottish accent , the movie clicks. 7.2 out of 10 from me. Must Watch to The End

A Shot at Glory is a frequently far-fetched but, to be fair, reasonably satisfying attempt at an underdog story in the wonderful world of Scottish football. Rangers and Scotland legend Ally McCoist plays Jackie McQuillan, an ageing ex-Celtic striker. He signs for a club in the 2nd division managed by his father-in-law (Robert Duvall) who hates him. However, Jackie wins over the fans and, ultimately, is father as his new team march on towards the Scottish Cup final.

What is perhaps most remarkable about this film (aside from Duvall's ludicrous Scottish accent) is McCoists above-average performance. He is convincing and actually quite involving in his role, although this could be due to him being more than familiar with a role of an ex-Old Firm striker signing for a club in the doldrums - hello, Kilmarnock.

If you're a fan of Scottish football, then I wholeheartedly recommend watching this film. It's probably easily the best film made about the game north of the border, and features lots of lower league favourites of the 90's such as Owen Coyle, Alan Lawrence, Derek McInnes and John Martin. Dundee United manager Ian McCall also gives an amusing performance as a centre-half who uses dirty tactics to get our hero McQuillan sent off.

I happened across this movie while channel surfing Direct TV and made a point to see it in its entirety. As a major soccer and Robert Duvall fan, I was truly impressed and anyone fitting into either or both of those categories will love this as well. The plot line is sports movie formulaic, e.g. "underdog beats the odds", but that takes nothing away from this incantation nor the superb way that the movie is shot. Obviously, the director knew the sport or listened to someone who did. You will really feel that you are watching clips of The Scottish Cup. Even if you know nothing of soccer, the movie is done in such a way as for you to still appreciate the main story line against the backdrop of the intense world of Scottish soccer (football).

Robert Duvall is simply amazing. This may be one of those performances by a sublime actor that will be lost to history but is a testament to Duvall's preeminence in his craft. Duvall plays Gordon McLeod, the manager of the small, fictional Kilnockie soccer club that has just taken a chance on a combustible superstar, Jackie McQuillan (Ally McCoist) who seems to be on the downside of a superlative career. Oh, and it just so happens that McQuillan is Gordon's son-in-law. The marriage of his daughter to the flamboyant McQuillan deviated Gordon to the point where he no longer speaks to his daughter (the superb Kirsty Mitchell). Far fetched? Maybe, but interesting and compelling nonetheless. For American viewers, it is amazing to see Duvall absolutely nail the Scottish accent and manner of speech while managing to actually sound like a crusty yet lovable soccer coach. If you know what a Scott or a soccer coach sounds like, you'll love this. I was more than ten minutes into the movie before I really accepted the fact that this was the "Great Santini" in this role.

Brian Cox as Duvall's arch rival, Cole Hauser as the back-up rookie Anmerican goalkeeper (who gets his shot in the big game, but then if you have ever watched a sports movie, you KNEW that was going to happen) and Michael Keaton as the slick American owner of the Kilnockie team hit home runs in their respective small roles. Ally McCoist, a real life soccer star in Scotland, is wonderful as the enigmatic McQuillan. Although I don't know much about McCoist's actual career in Scotland, I can't help but think that his part here is somewhat biographical. Either that, or McCoist is an unbelievably tainted actor because he nails this one.

No amazing special effects, no big box office notoriety, no major studio hype. But, if you appreciate a good story with actors doing a superb job, pick up this movie.

I saw this film yesterday on TV. It was so terrible I laughed the whole time. Stock footage, slow-mo, absolutely shocking Scottish accents. This film has it all.

Somebody claimed that Duvall had the accent right. No. His dialogue is stop start as if he is trying to adjust his accent the whole time. Hardly his finest hour.

This film was filmed around Scottish Football grounds before the matches started (obviously not during them) and it shows. Half the time when someone scores nobody in the crowd is even looking!

Why is Michael Keaton here? Every now and then the camera cuts to him but he only has about six line in the whole thing.

Absolutely duff story, poor acting, no suspense what so ever (wow the goalie punched it away, my hearts in my mouth). Only worth watching if you`re a Scottish Football fan trying to recognise familiar faces.

As football movies go, this is one of the best ever made! In this kind of movie, something has to be sacrificed, either good acting or believable match sequences! It's VERY hard to have both, but this movie manages to get a good balance! Ally McCoist I thought was a revelation, and Wings Hauser's son as the American goalie was pretty good. Of course, Robert Duvall was his usual solid self, with a very good mastery of the Scottish accent (although Billy Connolly would have been a much better and more natural choice for the role) and my fave actor of all-time, Michael Keaton, was very good in a limited role (he was maybe in the movie for like 15 to 20 minutes tops spread over the entire thing). Like I said, the match sequences are very believable, and the mix of real actors who're quite knowledgeable about football with real footballers who can actually act works wonderfully well. A great little movie all round... enjoy!

Not even the brilliant talent of Robert Duvall could save this film. While there was a great deal of hidden talent in the cast of characters including Michael Keaton, Cole Hauser, and Owen Coyle, the films direction failed to tell its story. Unlike the wonderful direction in Any Given Sunday, (another film on the topic of football)A Shot at Glory didn't use the power of the camera to express emotion in the story and the characters. A Shot at Glory sat on the shoulders of other "Feel Good" movies such as Mystery,Alaska and The Air Up There. The end result of taking recycled material with recycled story lines equals into leftovers that aren't worth heating up for dinner.

On a Sunday night when most of the country was going nuts over the opening weekend of "Spiderman," I was blessed to "A Shot At Glory." It's a magnificent movie. I'd like to thank Robert Duvall for producing a film with heart for adults who know the passion of playing intensely and the healing of forgiveness.

Lets face it, soccer based film's are by and large rubbish. Yes the odd one like Bend It Like Beckham will break out and gain an audience for novelty value. While something like Escape To Victory has a cult fan base and is a fun time filler around the holiday seasons. But yeah, soccer rarely transfers well to the big screen. Shot At Glory has many problems, but it does however deserve a pat on the back for trying to make a social point.

The plot is set around a Scottish second division football team who are owned by American Peter Cameron {Michael Keaton}. Cameron is ambitious and very aware of the coin, so in a bid to improve the teams chances of success, and perhaps hasten a move of the club to Dublin, he signs the once great striker Jackie McQuillan {Ally McCoist}. McQuillan's star has considerably waned, a renowned playboy, he is now more known for his drinking and womanising than sticking the ball in the back of the net. The news of McQuillan's signature is met with disgust by the team manager Gordon McCloud {Robert Duvall}, not just because he feels the "superstar" will upset his team ethic, but also because Jackie happens to be his son-in-law and father to his grandson! Can the many problems be overcome and make the team a success? More crucially, can the many factions involved cast off their respective demons and find redemption?

This is an alternate football universe, one where Glasgow Rangers legend Ally McCoist is playing an ex Glasgow Celtic legend. Something that is likely to make the blue half of Glasgow break out into hysteria! For anyone who knows about British football will know about the rivalry that exists between the two Glasgow clubs, and sadly the sectarian divide that cuts thru both sets of supporters. This is where the film deserves credit, it's a bold move, all be it a fantastical one, but certain points in the movie make a statement about it just being a game. Have your rivalry for sure, but don't hate each other and wish to beat each other to a pulp about it. Unfortunately that's about as good as it gets, McCoist is surprisingly effective as an actor but the actual football match scenes are badly constructed and devoid of realism. Duvall gives it a good go but he's no Scotsman, Brian Cox is poorly underused and the fairytale part of the plot is just over familiar in the sports genre of film. For football fans in the UK {I be one} there's some knowing humour to enjoy, notably with the loyal fans of Kilnockie FC. While the location work in Crail, Fife, is pleasing and warming to the eye. But it's a tough film to recommend to anyone but the hardiest British soccer fan..... 5/10

If I was an American living in America with maybe a passing interest in Football or Soccer as they tend to call it, then this movie might pass as pretty good entertainment, but being Scottish and loving football since I could walk and talk I found this film to be absolute rubbish. Robert Duvall is a fantastic actor but he is hindered here by his awful attempt at a Scottish accent, couldn't he have just played it in his normal voice. Maybe they could have come out with some sort of explanation why an American would end up managing a Scottish team that would have been been easier to swallow than his Hey Jimmy! Och aye the Noo dialect. Also as a Celtic supporter you would expect me to be ready to crucify Ally McCoist's acting since he used to play for Rangers, but actually he is by far and away the best thing in the film! He's actually pretty good! Sadly the footage they used of his days with Celtic ( he's wearing his Rangers strip coloured green! ) is awful. Actually nearly everything in this film is awful, it was a very, very bad idea from the beginning. Also why is a great actor like Michael Keaton doing in this, he is wasted in a small role, was he just doing a favour for Duvall? I must say though the actual football matches were pretty well done, much better than the likes of Escape to Victory or any other football movie. ***3/10***

I would love to say a few well known Scottish words? however after watching a good movie on Channel 4 then watching this movie i almost regret coming of drugs 20 years ago. Like a modern day adults version of Gregory's girl with swearing ..due to the acting ability of many people including American actors out of there comfort zone attempting a very bad so called Scottish accent and a story with no attempt to understand the world of football i even refuse to put anymore words in here as i have clearly wasted 20 min of my life watching this movie before turning it over thank god my life is satellite broadcasting i can watch a movie i might enjoy even from another language i don't understand just like this movie..as we say in Glasgow pure p%sh

I personally thought that A Shot At Glory was a brilliant film portraying an underdog football team doing so well. A scenario that often happens in the stages of the Scottish Cup and the CIS Insurance Cup. I never thought this film would ever be released after waiting two years since i had sat in the stands of Hampden Park for the filming of the final(being a Rangers supporter I naturally sat in the Rangers end). As well as a great plot and characterisation the visual effects were also brilliant, making a Hampden park with little over 1,000 supporters in it looking as if it was at a 50,000 capacity. Well a brilliant film in my eyes and i had slight smile on my face when the words "thanks to all the supporters who screamed their hearts out" appeared on the screen at the cinema. A definite 10 out of 10.

Just to let you know i'm absolutely bladder ed at the moment and ain't gonna remember this tomorrow. This film is brilliant. Why? Robert Duvall is brilliant. Such a good Scottish accent. Really really really good. Well it says I need to write more words in my comment than this so I found a way to solve the problem by writing absolute dos crap for the second half of my comment. I hope you enjoyed reading it. peace. War is for wimps. Still haven't got enough lines. here is where i use the return key

End.

still not enough lines.

end.