1. Big Boys Don't Cry
Big Boys Don't Cry' follows Joe Marler as he discusses his own struggles and learns new methods of managing mental wellbeing. The England and Harlequins player has opened up about his battles with mental health during his private life and his time playing rugby on the international stage. The documentary follows Marler as he travels around the UK to open up the conversation around mental health challenges and to learn about how people manage with their mental wellbeing - from taking the plunge in cold water swimming and getting involved in singing in a choir along the way.
2. Anthony Foley: Munsterman
In October 2016 news of the sudden death of Munster rugby head coach Anthony 'Axel' Foley reverberated throughout the rugby world and beyond. This documentary tells a story of Munster rugby through his life. Told from within the Munster family, we get to know the man and get an extraordinary honest insight into the events surrounding Anthony's time as head coach, his death and the emotional aftermath.
3. Premières danses (Premières danses)
During the 2013-2014 season, the U19 team of union rugby club of Auch are competing in the Crabos French championship. Teenager Antoine Dupont and his best friend Anthony Jelonch shared victories and defeats during this last season in their hometown, but also unavoidable village parties.
It has an average vote of 6 on TMDB.
4. Clive Sullivan: Rugby League Legend
Football icon Nathan Blake uncovers the incredible story of a Welsh rugby legend: his uncle, Clive Sullivan, who was the first black man to captain Great Britain in any sport.
5. The Gauls (Les Gaulois)
Two segments make up this short film. The first portion called “The French” has two men taste testing some delicious wine, and the other, titled “The Gauls”, is of men playing rugby. This short by Werner Herzog is part of the “The French as Seen By…” series. It was initiated and sponsored by the newspaper Le Figaro, as part of the 1988 celebration of the tenth anniversary of its magazine section.
It has an average vote of 8 on TMDB.
6. Crazy Money
What is possible when we have guaranteed money to meet our basic needs? No requirements. No stipulations. No paybacks. We look to the village of Busibi to discover what’s possible when we give money directly to people. No strings attached. The answer lies in the residents’ personal stories. Their successes and tribulations illustrate the impact of one of the most daring projects in contemporary development cooperation. Their life stories unexpectedly prove to be all too familiar. They make us laugh. They move us. Blending in together, they create a colorful and poetic reality portrait, illustrating the big consequences of a small sum of money …
7. Women of Steel
Following the England Women’s Rugby League squad as they build up to the biggest competition of their lives, a home World Cup in October 2022. This raw and honest journey takes a look at the women who are battling for a place in the squad, despite not being paid professionals and having to hold down full-time jobs alongside club rugby and England commitments.
It has an average vote of 7 on TMDB.
8. Champions Factory: New Zealand's Black Blood (Champions Factory: New Zealand's Black Blood)
(Champions Factory: New Zealand's Black Blood)
9. Shoulder to Shoulder
Fifty years since the start of The Troubles, the film captures the remarkable history of the Irish national rugby union team, which despite violence, opposition and partition in Ireland, has brought together players and fans from two countries and united them on and off the rugby pitch. BT Sport ambassador, and former Ireland and British & Irish Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll, takes viewers on a powerful journey as he explores how Irish rugby manages to navigate and nurture a successful team through the years of violence that have claimed the lives of more than 3,500 people. Ireland has been divided not just on a map but by politics, history and religion. However, the Irish Rugby Union has continued to be the governing body of rugby, leading to the remarkable situation of players from two countries competing as one.
10. A Dangerous Idea
A dangerous idea has threatened the American Dream from the beginning - the belief that some groups and individuals are inherently superior to others and more deserving of fundamental rights. Such biological determinism provided an excuse for some of America's most shameful history. And now it's back. This documentary reveals how biologically determined politics has disenfranchised women and people of color, provided a rationale for state sanctioned crimes committed against America's most vulnerable citizens, and now gains new traction under the Trump administration.
It has an average vote of 8 on TMDB.
11. Murderball
Quadriplegics, who play full-contact rugby in wheelchairs, overcome unimaginable obstacles to compete in the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.
It has an average vote of 7 on TMDB.
12. Living With Lions
Exclusive two-disc film documenting the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in the summer of 1997. The unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the team shows the preparations, the training, the fun, the team selection, the 'earthy' language, the bonding, the awesome task of playing and some shocking footage of injuries. Despite securing the series with wins in the first two tests, the Lions remained motivated by the prospect of a 3-0 whitewash, a feat never achieved against the Springboks throughout the century.
It has an average vote of 4.8 on TMDB.
13. Les Trois Glorieuses du XV de France (Les Trois Glorieuses du XV de France)
(Les Trois Glorieuses du XV de France)
14. Echoes 'Cross the Tracks
A powerful documentary starring Morgan Freeman about the genesis of The Blues in the South and the music spreading around the world. Morgan Freeman shares his story of his experience of growing up in Clarksdale, Mississippi and his love for the Blues.
It has an average vote of 6 on TMDB.
15. Exteriores - Mulheres Brasileiras na Diplomacia (Exteriores - Mulheres Brasileiras na Diplomacia)
(Exteriores - Mulheres Brasileiras na Diplomacia)
16. By the Balls
Sport and politics most definitely do mix in this gripping look back at a brutal and turbulent time for New Zealand rugby, told from the point of view of the players themselves including David Kirk and Buck Shelford.
It has an average vote of 5.5 on TMDB.
17. The 16th Man
Rugby Union has long been viewed in South Africa as a game for the white population, and the country’s success in the sport has been a true source of Afrikaner pride. When the 50-year-old policies and entrenched injustices of apartheid were finally overthrown in 1994, Nelson Mandela’s new government began rebuilding a nation badly in need of racial unity. So the world was watching when South Africa played host to the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Though they had only one non-white player, the South African Springboks gained supporters of all colors as they made an improbable run into the final match where they beat the heavily favored New Zealand team. When Mandela himself marched to the center of the pitch cloaked in a Springbok jersey and shook hands with the captain of the South African team, two nations became one. Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and director Cliff Bestall will tell the emotional story of that cornerstone moment and what it meant to South Africa’s healing process.
It has an average vote of 6.5 on TMDB.
18. XV Beyond the Tryline
A behind the scenes look at the sport of rugby with the 2015 Rugby World Cup as a backdrop, featuring interviews from players, coaches, referees and fans.
It has an average vote of 7.5 on TMDB.
19. Being Barbarians
An insider documentary following Scott Robertson and Ronan O’Gara’s management of the invitational Rugby Union Club; Barbarian F.C. for the 2022 Killik Cup tie versus the All Blacks' "Second XV" at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
20. Tackling the All Blacks
Before the summer of 2022, Ireland had never beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand. Using behind the scenes footage and interviews with players and coaches this documentary reflects on the experience of triumphing in New Zealand for the first time.
It has an average vote of 9 on TMDB.