The Edge

In 2012, England officially became the best cricket team in the world, after many years of underperformance. They had a great, and settled, side, but it didn't last. Several players eneded their international careers relatively early: the pressures of playing top-level sport almost certainly contributed to that. 'The Edge' interviews many of the players to chart this journey. The problem with the film is its low-brow approach, and its indifference to telling us about any of the technicalities, or detailed history, of the sport. We get some personal insights, but if you didn't know the sporting story, all you would see is a very dumbed-down version. And while psychology is undoubtedly important at the highest level of competition, the necessity of a happy coincidence of natural talent is downplayed: the documentary gives the impression that England started winning, and then stopped again, entirely due to the mindset of the players. The intriguing and complex overlap between a relatively slow-paced, almost reflective, sport, and the intensity of the international spotlight, doesn't come across. There's some interest here, but the film's lack of apparent interest in cricket itself weakens it, for cricket fans and the merely curious alike.

For cricket aficionados only. It's brings back great memories of Test highs and lows. But the mental breakdown insight feels a bit tagged on.

One of the best sports documentaries I've seen. Confession: I'm a big fan of English cricket (especially in the long, Test Match, form). Even so, this seems to be a documentary that draws in both the fan and the more casual director.

Covering the period (2009-2013) when the England test team rose from a very low point to be number one in the world, then spectacularly imploded. Initially - helped by wonderful narration from Toby Jones - it brilliantly portrays the intensity, athleticism and passion of a sport that too often seems to be the slightly soft activity of the upper classes. The match sounds are amplified; there are some striking visual techniques; and some genuinely honest and funny moments from a group of men who clearly loved each other and enjoyed working together.

You don't have to be a cricket fan to take something away from this amazing sporting documentary. If you do understand cricket though it will help you understand it more. However it's not just about cricket it's about how to get the best out of yourself, friendship, team work, how you can be at the bottom and feel good and optimistic and being at the top it feels like your going to fall off. In short it's all in the mind and like Trot puts it concentration is the absence of irrelevant thoughts.

Calm and an easy movie. A tale about teammates bond to become a family and stride towards a common goal. Inspiring to any sporting fans.