Maurice Richard

This movie is a real success. Maurice Richard was one of the best and fearless hockey player that ever was, he never gave-up. The people that worked on this movie really did a great job. All the locations where very well re-created especially the Montréal Forum. The actor who played Toe Blake was excellent and Roy Dupuis did a great job (he really does look like Maurice Richard). The hockey scenes where very well done, you feel like your on the ice. The attention to details is impressive it really looks like the fifties. Many actual hockey players ad a little part in this movie (like Mike Ricci) and did well. Richard worked hard to get to the NHL, he worked in a day factory and in the evening played hockey even if he was extremely tired. A must see movie for all the hockey fans.

This is a true biopic, depicting events that could be considered as corner stones of NHL's History as well as Hockey History. it exposes the life of the Rocket since he was a teenager. All facts are historical : the depression just before WW2, the social divisions (as those cages that surrounded an area reserved for francophones in the Forum). Most dialogs in hockey scenes are in English, as well as all those involving the team, coaches and so on, which is "by respect of historical facts" in the original french version. Actually, many dialogs are recreated as they took place (and can be verified in many biography about The Rocket), even the coach's (Irvin) "pep talks". Hockey scenes are true to reality, as the scenarios were matched with game descriptions and old clips, were reviewed by Richard himself before dying and also his wife, his children, as by Irvin sun's written and recorded testimonies and memories from his father (he was the first Mr. "Hockey Night in Canada" on CBC), reporters, and so on.

About the cast, my discovery is STEPHEN McHATTIE! HE IS JUST SUPERB IN IRVIN'S ROLE. Now that's a coach!! WOW. Actually the most credible I've seen in all sports movies around. Some of you who don't know about the Rocket, could find in Roy Dupuis some kind of weird acting... But actually, he played his role to the perfection, magnificently displaying the same kind of personality and behavior the Rocket had (he had the chance to study the guy's "attitude" in person for several years). The movie also adds historical drama, like the year when the Rocket broke Malone's record, a record that most considered as impossible to surpass, and which brought some sense of Victory to the people, just month before D-Day in Normandy (feb. 1945).

What you'll see in this movie, is what made such a man a true Canadian Hero, as it really was and took place during those days. It is also a true love story, about the couple Richard.

Maurice Richard is a very good film about one of the most important Canadian athletes ever. The film addresses many issues concerning the famous Montreal riot, following a major penalty given to Richard just a few days before the beginning of the play-offs, and the "revolution tranquille" ignitor.

But this splendid film relates the story of an underdog player. His rise to hero and finally to that of a legend. It feels somewhat epic. The challenges Maurice faces are easy to relate to. You truly feel his angst has he's pushed around, beaten and bloodied. But still manages to overcome these problems and eventually becomes a symbol for every underdog who has ever dreamt of reaching the unreachable.

Maurice Richard isn't just a good quebecois film. It's simply a good film. Worth seeing.

Well done! The Rocket was a true inspiration to many and an icon in Canadian history. The NHL and Canada has changed in many ways since his playing days. This film biography inspires us to relive the past and to press forward in our own lives everyday. With a heart as large as the whole province of Quebec his courage was his most valuable asset. His passion to succeed was undeniable. The more popular he became through hockey the greater a threat he posed on the others that couldn't control him or french minorities. Yet, the legend was also a gentleman, a father and a role model for anyone who was fortunate to be in his presence. The film expresses all of this beautifully with an original feel and amazing on ice reenactments of famous games. Thanks for the film and thank you Mr. Richard.

There are many great sports films and The Rocket belongs among the best of the best. If you liked Cinderella Man i would hazard to say that you might like The Rocket even more, especially hockey fans. I, myself am a fan of the Montreal Canadians and took two friends who were not and they both said that it was a great, great movie.

I went into the theatre with modest expectations, as it was a Canadian made film without a huge budget and yet when i left i felt like i had to wipe the grime from the factory that the rocket worked off of my clothes. I have no doubt that this film will be nominated for best foreign film at the Oscars next year, you don't need to know who the rocket is to really enjoy this film.

Bravo!