Variety reports that Showtime has scheduled release dates for their next sports documentary McEnroe, which is centred on the life and career of controversial tennis great John McEnroe. From his early days in Douglaston to his 18-year-old Wimbledon semifinals run to his NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships victory against McEnroe, the documentary will feature never-before-seen material. Earlier this year, the film premiered at Tribeca Film Festival and Sheffield Doc/Fest in the United Kingdom. “Everyone has an opinion on John McEnroe,” Barney Douglas stated in a prior statement. I wanted to make a film that was both intimate and surprising. Adding to it, The only way I could understand him was to go inside his thoughts. It was imperative that this video delves into universal concepts of connection, purpose, and love in order to reach as many people as possible. At moments, it’s as though John is interrogating himself in the process of writing this song.
Sylver Entertainment’s Victoria Barrell and Paddy Kelly are producing the film. Sylver Entertainment’s goal is to “enable fans to get to know the individual behind the hero, and showcase the tales of great people who break the mould,” Barrell stated while discussing the project. I was confident we could do this with the help of Barney and his great staff. An excellent film depicts both the good points and terrible points of becoming a champion. This is a thoughtful, open, and personal look at one of the all-time greats of the sporting world.
Many other tennis legends and celebrities will be interviewed in addition to McEnroe and his family, including Bjorn Borg and Billie Jean King. Peter Fleming and Chrissie Hynde will be included as well. On July 15, McEnroe will make his professional tennis debut in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Streaming and on-demand versions of the film will be accessible in North America on September 2 and the broadcast version will premiere on September 4 respectively. In the meanwhile, peruse the following overview.
At the heart of McEnroe is a personal depiction of one of the sports’ most electrifying and intriguing figures. John was a game-changing talent, topping the global rankings for four years in a row, but he was also a man prone to ruining his own life. This internal battle is what propelled John to the pinnacle of his profession, and it was also what nearly destroyed him. Including never-before-seen footage from the US Open and Wimbledon, as well as John’s own personal videos, McEnroe tells the life of tennis legend John McEnroe. From Patty Smyth and John’s children, the film goes beyond just a sports biography and into the realms of a highly intimate, candid narrative. To bring to life a golden period of tennis, and John’s home city of New York City, the film features icons like Billie Jean King, Bjorn Borg and Keith Richards.