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lathanyI watch Mark Kermode's blog and last summer he recommended a film/documentary called The Battle of the Sexes. It's about the tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs that took place back in 1973 and the events surrounding it.
I was hesitant in suggesting it for our LoveFilms list because whilst Kermode usually has a point, our tastes don't always match. However, I like tennis, so I did add it and it turned up this week. The resulting film was enjoyable and well worth seeing.
Highlights of the actual tennis match occur right at the end of the film and it is (apparently) the most watch match in tennis history. The rest of the film contains the build-up, clips from the earlier match between Briggs and Court, the first professional women's tennis tour (the nine who started with earnings of 1 dollar), the formation of the Women's Tennis Association and, most importantly, King's fight to get women paid the same as men for tennis (this eventually happened at Wimbledon a few years ago).
The video is fascinating. Much of it took me back to my primary school days (the second half of the seventies) when that sort of sexism was still very visible. In many ways, the best thing about this film is that it shows how much has changed. The different commentators are also interesting - I was particularly impressed that Riggs' son had taken part. And as for Billie Jean King? She's awesome. Smart, strong and articulate. I knew she was a brilliant player, but the things she did off-court and the gambles she took - and won - were very courageous.
I would recommend seeing it.
I was hesitant in suggesting it for our LoveFilms list because whilst Kermode usually has a point, our tastes don't always match. However, I like tennis, so I did add it and it turned up this week. The resulting film was enjoyable and well worth seeing.
Highlights of the actual tennis match occur right at the end of the film and it is (apparently) the most watch match in tennis history. The rest of the film contains the build-up, clips from the earlier match between Briggs and Court, the first professional women's tennis tour (the nine who started with earnings of 1 dollar), the formation of the Women's Tennis Association and, most importantly, King's fight to get women paid the same as men for tennis (this eventually happened at Wimbledon a few years ago).
The video is fascinating. Much of it took me back to my primary school days (the second half of the seventies) when that sort of sexism was still very visible. In many ways, the best thing about this film is that it shows how much has changed. The different commentators are also interesting - I was particularly impressed that Riggs' son had taken part. And as for Billie Jean King? She's awesome. Smart, strong and articulate. I knew she was a brilliant player, but the things she did off-court and the gambles she took - and won - were very courageous.
I would recommend seeing it.
