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Managed by Alf Ramsey, the England team started poorly but
then began to build itself up to a level that only few teams
can match.
And then there was that final … and that goal. The goal
that was, or wasn't, depending if you spoke German or English.
The footage is in black and white but is an extraordinary
look at a match in a different time and - if you watch the
match and listen to the commentary - almost a different game.
It was still a 90-minute game, but there were no substitutes
and you can imagine the toll on bodies as it went into 30
minutes of extra time. Goalkeepers, and I know from experience,
could only take three steps before bouncing the ball otherwise
it was a free kick against them.
Vicious tackles were not to be seen and player histrionics
were unthinkable. Mind you, a weak dive from a German got
the comment: "... he plays in Italy so he has learned
to do that," from the commentator. Besides which, most
players back then would have rather chopped their feet off
than go into some of the antics of today's players.
But back to the match. The result, as all good fans should
know, was 4-2 to England and the glorious game is reproduced
in full on this DVD.
The World Cup Final 1966 - England v West Germany,
however, also contains an extras package that soccer fans
will love and one that takes it out of the sports-memorabilia
basket. It has interviews with key members of the team, gets
into the football fever of the time and sets the stage for
the ultimate game.
It also has a nine-minute interview with the widow of England
captain, Bobby Moore, and that is excellent viewing on its
own. You find out what a terrific guy - and leader - he was
and how without him England would probably have never won
the Cup.
Finally, there is a marvellously entertaining chat with the
match commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme in which he talks about
just about everything you want to know about the 1966 World
Cup.
For such a seemingly proper chap old Wolstenholme tells -
with absolute glee - a lovely verbal headbutt he gave some
snotty jumped-up commentator. When questioned about his career
he deals with his annoyance by saying that at least he can
say he commentated on the 1966 World Cup Final.
Visually the DVD is like watching late 20th Century television.
The match itself is from ordinary stock (1966 vintage) while
the interviews look from anywhere up to the early-80s (at
the latest). The sound is very good and the commentary clear.
The World Cup Final 1966 - England v West Germany is
something soccer fans should at least see. It will give a
very different perspective on the huge victory England won
in 1966, and on today's game as well. England fans will probably
want to keep a copy in their home libraries.
Conclusion: Movie 85%, Extras 85%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
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