We’ve posted before about the rise in popularity of the sports documentary, particularly sports documentary series on the streaming platforms. There are dozens, if not hundreds of these available on the streaming services, from looking at the markets for sports betting over on Netflix in poker docs like Kid Poker, to Formula One in Drive To Survive. Then there is the brilliant ‘All Or Nothing’ on Prime Video, a series that examines sports from basketball through to American football and soccer. Here’s a new look at some other more totally rewarding docs that we’ve scoured Amazon Prime Video for over the past few days – five documentary series or features that we would highly recommend.
Andy Murray: Resurfacing
One of Scotland’s greatest sportsman, and the former number one tennis pro in the world, Andy Murray is the focus of attention in this series about the tennis superstar as he enters the toughest part of his life as he deals with injury between 2017 and 2019. The former Wimbledon champion is followed from his home to surgical wards as he undergoes treatment for a devastating, and potentially career-ending injury, unrelenting in his will and desire to return to the top of his game. Unmissable for sports fans.
Poker Night In America
Not strictly a documentary, but this 2020 series is some territories’ first opportunity to watch this hugely syndicated American sports show that celebrates playing poker with friends. There are many series linked to winning some kind of a series, championship, result SGP, or league, but this one celebrates the country’s favourite gaming pastime; sitting down with those close to you for a round of Hold ‘Em. The series was first screened across the USA in 2014, and has been running for five seasons, and it has just made its way onto the international Amazon Prime Video streamer for a wider audience to see its appeal.
Le Mans: Racing Is Everything
If motor racing is your thing, then how about this thrilling inside story on the greatest race of them all, the Le Mans 24 hour car race in France. The race is nearly 100 years old and this exceptional documentary goes behind the scenes of the race, and the teams and drivers who will stop at nothing to to extract additional juice from their machines to win one of the most iconic races of them all.
Fernando
Sticking with motor racing, this documentary focusses on one of the greatest Formula One champions of all time, Fernando Alonso. Taking an intimate look at the life of the Spanish star, as well as following him to his first Rally Dakar in South America, the film charts the highs and lows of the sport across five engrossing episodes, all of which were made and released through Prime Video.
Fernando Torres: The Last Symbol
Another Fernando, and this time of of Spain’s most famous footballing sons, Fernando Torres. The former Chelsea, Liverpool and Atlético Madrid player is front and centre in this engrossing journey through twenty years of the football legend’s life, including winning the Europa League with Madrid in his final season of European football, to his last days as a play in Japan. ‘El Último Símbolo’ has just been released on Prime and again is an absolute must for football and sports fans in general.
