Paper Lion

Best Sports Movies 2.85 (61 votes) Invite Your Friends to Rate

Director: Alex March Producer: Writer: George Plimpton (and book author) Starring: Alan Alda (George Plimpton) Lauren Hutton (Kate) Music: Cinematography: Editing: Distributor: Released: 1968 Runtime: 107 minutes Language: English Budget:

Based on the book of the same name by George Plimpton (which is based on a true story), this 1968 movie follows sports writer George Plimpton. Plimpton attempts to play quarterback for the Detroit Lions in training camp.

George Plimpton wants to write a story for Sports Illustrated on what it is like to be a quarterback for an NFL team. No one is willing to allow a klutzy amateur to go on the field for fear he'll kill himself. After several teams turn him down, Plimpton got the Detroit Lions to let him go to training camp. He tries to keep his true identity a secret from the real players.

[edit] Trivia

• Many of the "stars" of the film are NFL atheletes who play themselves, like Alex Karras, and Joe Schmidt.