Cup Fever (1965) User Reviews

Memories of a better time

[marktayloruk · 8/10 · 6 February 2021]

For both films for children and football. Kids playing for fun rather than being organised in these neurotic academies. Footballers who spoke English . Also interesting to see future stars as child actors. And amusing to read that disclaimer about "no real persons " seeing as Busby and his players did, I believe, exist!

This boisterously fleet-footed CFF classic is a total winner! Go Barton United'

[Weirdling_Wolf · 8/10 · 21 December 2021]

I recently saw the high-scoring kids footie club drama 'Cup Fever' (1965) and was soon completely enraptured by its boundless charm, youthful vivacity, and boisterously grubby-faced, footballing hi-jinks! The remarkably well-made film is wonderfully nostalgic, edifying sweet-natured, and frequently funny, this fondly remembered Children's Film Foundation spectacular is also highly recommended to cult movie fans of all ages! The altogether champion cast includes unheralded acting genius Bernard Cribbins as the shambling, kind 'arted, ceaselessly misunderstood Copper, along with charismatic TV hero John Lodge, and future Hollywood glamorous icons Olivia Hussey, and Susan George delivering no less refined performances! I have zero interest in sport of any kind, but was no less blissfully beguiled by writer/director David Bracknell's splendidly wholesome rough n' tumble drama about the plucky, frequently beleaguered travails of the likable lads and lasses of 'Barton United'; go United!!!!!!! All that being said, vintage footie fans are in for an additional Hat-trick as this effervescent, fleet-footed Saturday morning feature includes myriad legends of the beautiful game! GOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!

Of interest to United films

[malcolmgsw · 6/10 · 16 September 2019]

This will be of interest to United films.The team is allowed to train at Old Trafford with the first team of that era and also meet manager Matt Busby.Entertaining film

Football-focused adventure

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 6 April 2021]

A slightly lesser Children's Film Foundation adventure, not because it's more poorly made than the others I've watched, but because I'm simply not interested in football and have never been a football fan. So all of the match stuff left me a bit cold. The rest is watchable enough, and it's particularly interesting to see both Olivia Hussey and Susan George on the cusp of stardom, playing very well written female roles, alongside traditional comedic turns from the adults in the cast like Bernard Cribbins and David Lodge.

Saturday Matinee Nostalgia

[stevelynch1960 · 10/10 · 28 October 2002]

This film will appeal to many UK residents of a certain age, who can remember the Saturday morning cinema clubs and this Children's Film Foundation offering is one of the classics of those heady 60's years.

Shot entirely on location in Manchester and Salford this film offers a glimps of a time and an age of innocence long since lost. A simple but well crafted story about the fortunes of a group of local kids whose lives revolve around their passion for football (soccer for those American members).

I had the good fortune of being able to buy this on dvd recently as part of a series of Childen's Film Foundation releases - well worth it!

Cup Fever

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 13 August 2022]

Notable from a speaking cameo appearance by Matt Busby. There were non speaking appearances from the Man Utd players of that era such as Nobby Stiles and Bobby Charlton.

Naughty Councillor Bates is making sure that his son's team is up for the cup. They have flash facilities and he has sabotaged the opposition team Barton United.

The kids from United have nowhere to train and no money. They play on the streets and the police always stop them.

However a friendly policeman (Bernard Cribbins) fixes the kids up with some training at Old Trafford.

On match day the kids from United are wrongly sent all over Manchester but the local milk floats deliver.

This Children's Film Foundation is light on an actual story. It is notable for early roles for Susan George and Olivia Hussey. There are nice shots of the Old Trafford ground before it was developed.

So many memories

[ross-wayne-119-654939 · 10/10 · 28 September 2014]

This is a important film for me personally as it some scenes are in my neighbors garden and one scene shows me in my pram and a real trip down memory lane because i have walked up and down the streets as a kid and recognize so much,went to see it on large screen at the Salford film festival and far better.a fantastic social history film featuring the fields next to the Manchester ship canal and a glimpse of st Cathrine's church where i was christened and is no longer there along with the Barton power station chimneys. So glad my dad told me about this film its a walk back in time for me and all residents of Barton showing how its changed.

Nostalgic film of an era

[peterwburrows-70774 · 8/10 · 2 April 2021]

It always amuses me when you see films in which children of different ages play happily together. My brother, 3 years older, wouldn't be seen dead with me!

This film was great good storyline and well acted by the young stars, including a young Susan George and a younger Olivia Hussey. Bernard Cribbins as nice as always. Good entertainment.