10 Must-Watch Biographical Tournament Films

Description: This film tells the story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer wrongfully convicted of murder, and his fight for justice, which can be seen as a personal tournament of sorts.

Fact: Denzel Washington's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination. The film was based on Carter's autobiography.

Description: Follows the life of James J. Braddock, a boxer who made an improbable comeback during the Great Depression, culminating in his fight against Max Baer for the heavyweight championship.

Fact: Russell Crowe gained weight for the role to accurately portray Braddock's physical condition. The film was shot in Toronto, with some scenes filmed in New York City.

Description: Based on the true story of Vince Papale, an underdog who made it to the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team through an open tryout, showcasing his personal and professional battles.

Fact: Mark Wahlberg, who played Papale, actually met with him to understand his experiences better. The film was shot in Philadelphia, where the events took place.

Description: Chronicles the life of Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, focusing on his college football career at Syracuse University and the racial barriers he overcame.

Fact: The film was shot in various locations in upstate New York, including Syracuse University. Rob Brown, who played Davis, was a former college football player himself.

Description: While not about a tournament per se, this film follows Michael Oher's journey from homelessness to becoming an NFL star, showcasing his personal victories and the support that helped him succeed.

Fact: Sandra Bullock won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy. The film was based on the book by Michael Lewis.

Description: This film tells the story of Micky Ward, a professional boxer, and his half-brother Dicky Eklund, focusing on their personal and professional struggles leading up to Ward's title fight.

Fact: Mark Wahlberg trained for over a year to get into shape for the role, and the real Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund served as consultants on the film.

Description: Focuses on Brian Clough's tumultuous 44-day tenure as manager of Leeds United, a team he had publicly criticized, leading to a dramatic clash of egos and football philosophies.

Fact: Michael Sheen, who played Clough, spent time with Clough's family to capture his mannerisms and voice accurately.

Description: While not a traditional tournament, this film focuses on King George VI's struggle with his speech impediment, culminating in his famous speech at the outbreak of WWII, a kind of personal victory.

Fact: The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The stammering scenes were meticulously crafted to be authentic.

Description: This film captures the intense chess match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky during the 1972 World Chess Championship, highlighting Fischer's psychological struggles and the political backdrop of the Cold War.

Fact: Tobey Maguire underwent extensive chess training to portray Bobby Fischer accurately. The film was shot in Reykjavik, where the actual match took place.

Description: This film chronicles the intense rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda, culminating in their epic showdown at the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix.

Fact: The movie was shot on real race tracks, and the actors did much of their own driving. Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl both learned to drive Formula One cars for their roles.