ESPN Europe

“The best sports films tend to be about loss, even when they portray winners, and the initial documentaries in the “30 for 30” project — commemorating three decades of ESPN — have all been both entertaining and bittersweet, examining Wayne Gretzky’s departure from Canada, the Colts’ midnight flight from Baltimore (Barry Levinson’s touching “The Band That Wouldn’t Die”) and the death of the United States Football League.”  - Mike Hale, New York Times

 “A pleasure to heartily recommend ESPN’s gripping, well-made series of documentary sports films, 30 for 30, which the network is producing for its 30^th anniversary.  Whether you care about sports or not, they are excellent, insightful television.” – Linda Holmes, NPR.org

“The list of stars tapped for the ‘30 for 30 series is impressive featuring Barry Levinson, Barbara Kopple, Alex Gibney, Ron Shelton, Spike Jonze and living legend Albert Maysles.” – Rick Kisonak, FilmTreat.com

“I’ve seen all three that have aired so far, and I highly recommend them to any fans of sports or sports history.” – Big 12 Sports/ABC

“Regardless of whether or not you’re a sports fan, you’ve got to be impressed with the number of noteworthy filmmakers that ESPN has managed to assemble for their upcoming documentary series entitled ’30 for 30’.” – The Documentary Blog

“Another example of why ESPN dominates the field of sports information…” – Eric Deggans, sportsjournalism.org

“ESPN. Great filmmaking.  Not exactly synonymous.  At least, not until now.” – Rick Kisonak, Seven Days (Vermont)

“30 reasons to love sports.” - Joanna Weiss, Boston Globe.

“The ’30 for 30’ projects is a sharp departure from ESPN’s normal weeknight programming.” - Tim Lemke, The Washington Post.

“You should probably start watching that ’30 for 30’ show tonight.” - Will Leitch, New York Magazine

“I’ve latched on to a series that threatens to enthrall me through next April… it might be one of the most ambitious projects in the history of TV.” – Larry Dobrow, Ad Age.

“ ’30 for 30’ is so remarkable – both surprising and great… by virtue of the directors on project was able to attract, and the quality and sweep of the films they made.” – Alan Sepinwall, Newark Star Ledger.

“ESPN scores with ’30 for 30’” – Alan Sepinwall, Newark Star Ledger.

“Where ’30 for 30’ thrives is in skipping the general and concentrating on the specific, actually asking the filmmakers to emphasize an angle on a familiar story that genuinely matters to them.” - Dan Feinberg, hitfix.com

“At their best, these ’30 for 30’ docs tell stories the viewers won’t know.” - Dan Feinberg, hitfix.com

 
Full Reviews:

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