Le lion de papier

I had to watch this film because I am an inveterate fan of the Detroit Lions football team. It is a really charming and funny true story, starring Alan Alda as New York sportswriter George Plimpton, who on a special assignment from his magazine, tries out in an NFL training camp to be a quarterback. He applies at all the major teams, the Bears, the Packers, which includes an appearance by the legendary Vince Lombardi, who rejects George. Finally the Lions invite George to training camp. On his arrival he is greeted by Hall of Fame Lions coach Joe Schmidt, and other great Lions players like Alex Karras, Lem Barney, Roger Brown, Mike Lucci, John Gordy and Pat Studstill. There is a very funny scene where George has to stand up in the canteen and sing his college song, which is Harvard. Also appearing is the delightful Lauren Hutton and Roy Scheider. It is a really enjoyable film, and not just for football fans.

This is a competent film version of reporter George Plimpton's ill-fated attempt to be a NFL quarterback. Although Alan Alda does a good job as Plimpton, the real joy of this film is in the way it unintentionally documents the sense of community shared among the teammates (many of those used in this film were actual football players, including Alex Karras of "Webster" fame) before money, egos, and greed corrupted the sport.

Just watched this movie on TCM. My husband highly recommended that I watch this movie to get a fill for what the players go through for training camp. He thought I'd love the movie since I just adore Alan Alda & he was right! I loved the whole movie & especially how well Alda portrayed George Plimpton. Perfect Casting! Lauren Hutton was also a delight in her movie debut. Highly recommend that women who have husband who are football junkies to watch this movie.

PS: My husband is a big KC Chiefs fan & said that this movie would have been a lot funnier if Plimpton had tried out for the Chiefs, because he says Hank Stram was the funniest coach in football at the time & would have made a great addition to the movie.

My Dad directed this movie. I was 7 at the time. I remember all the location shoots in Central Park and Lauren Hutton chasing me around a garbage can. My dad and my dog are in the movie. My dad is the guy in the leather Jacket in the bar scene who tries to pick a fight with Alan Alda and my dog was the German Shepherd in the comedy scene with Alex Carras. A lot of memories in this movie. My Dad was an old school director and WWII vet. A tough Brooklyn New Yorker and hardcore football fan. I was a Detroit Lions fan after the movie. I remember the team gave me a Lions T-shirt that I wore for ten years! My dad only made 2-3 movies and then worked the rest of his career as a free lance TV director. Making this movie was a big deal to him and our family. The other movies he made, The Big Bounce and another with Zero mostel, were not as successful. I am glad so many folks enjoyed it.

Paper Lion is a really good movie. Alan Alda was perfect for the role of Sports Illustrated reporter George Plimpton, and Lauren Hutton gave a strong debut performance as Plimpton's secretary. This is a classic underdog movie with Plimpton on assignment trying to make the Detroit Lion's football team. You can't help but put yourself in George's shoes. What makes this movie great is that Alda and Hutton are the only real actors, so it's as if you were a fly on the wall watching the team prepare for the season. I don't want to give anything away, so you will have to see it for yourself. But believe me it is well worth your time and will leave you smiling.