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The Greatest Game Ever Played

Play trailer Poster for The Greatest Game Ever Played PG 2005 1h 55m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
62% Tomatometer 105 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Blue-collar Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) fights class prejudice while mastering golf, a game guarded by the upper crust. Employed as a caddy at the exclusive Brookline Country Club, Francis fine-tunes his skills during off hours. His father, Arthur (Elias Koteas), disapproves, but a few admirers help Francis enter the 1913 U.S. Open. The underdog competes against British star Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane) and finds common ground with his boyhood idol. The film is based on a true story.
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The Greatest Game Ever Played

The Greatest Game Ever Played

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Critics Consensus

Despite all the underdog sports movie conventions, the likable cast and lush production values make The Greatest Game Ever Played a solid and uplifting tale.

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Critics Reviews

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Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films Oct 10, 2005
B+
The most visually and emotionally dynamic film ever made about a game of golf — perhaps the most visually and emotionally dynamic possible film about a game of golf. Go to Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Oct 8, 2005
3/4
...the veteran British character actor is so good as Vardon I can't imagine another inhabiting the role so wonderfully. Dillane adds so many layers, so many idiosyncratic quirks, that the golfer comes to life the very first moment he takes the screen. Go to Full Review Mark Holcomb Village Voice Oct 4, 2005
Ouimet versus Vardon probably was the greatest golf game ever played, and Paxton and Frost do it justice, but I wouldn't sit through another simulated hole of it for Tiger Woods's salary. Go to Full Review Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope Sep 7, 2014
B
The game is full of suspense, twists and turns. The characters are fascinating. The locations, sets and costume designs are all first-rate. The story is held back by the Disney formula, but is strong enough to overcome it. Go to Full Review James Plath Movie Metropolis Jun 16, 2009
7/10
The characters model some wonderful behavior for youngsters%u2014things like tolerance, restraint, persistence, good manners, and good sportsmanship. Things that, sadly, seem to have gone the way of knickers. Go to Full Review Jules Brenner Cinema Signals Jun 12, 2009
2/5
I don't want to just take their word for it! Show me what was so special about this guy's game!! Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 7, 2026 This movie was about a guy who went on to become the worlds greatist golfer See more Alex B @ALEXANDRIA123 Aug 25, 2026 As a longtime golfer, I consider this movie with its music, direction, production, cinematography, an authentic characterization of the game of golf at that time in history is outstanding!! I believe the previous reviews understated the significance of the true artistry that was displayed in the storyline of this movie and will be one of my all-time favorites, regardless of Shia LaBeouf’s history of substance abuse. Additionally, I believe true golfers that have seen this 2005 movie would say it’s one of the best of its kind even though the majority of the actors were unknown!! Alex b See more Henry D @Henry_Domke May 22, 2026 So many things contributed to this film’s success, but the editing and music stood out. The acting was excellent, even though almost everyone was unfamiliar to me. The romantic interest was nicely underplayed. The true story was powerfully told and built to a beautiful ending. Lorna said "It makes me so happy." See more Stephen C @bob25009 Mar 25, 2026 The worldwide gross is $15,431,177.00. See more James B @RT54975811 Jan 10, 2026 This was a really good movie. I love sports movies when they are done really well, and this one is really worth a watch. I thought this one was a pretty good movie. See more Youssef K. @KingJoeyseph56 Dec 20, 2025 A very boring movie. Way too much dialogue. 🗑️😡 See more Read all reviews
The Greatest Game Ever Played

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Cast & Crew

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Bill Paxton

Director

Shia LaBeouf

Francis Ouimet

Stephen Dillane

Harry Vardon

Josh Flitter

Eddie Lowery

Peyton List

Sarah Wallis

Elias Koteas

Arthur Ouimet

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The Greatest Game Ever Played

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Movie Info

Synopsis Blue-collar Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) fights class prejudice while mastering golf, a game guarded by the upper crust. Employed as a caddy at the exclusive Brookline Country Club, Francis fine-tunes his skills during off hours. His father, Arthur (Elias Koteas), disapproves, but a few admirers help Francis enter the 1913 U.S. Open. The underdog competes against British star Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane) and finds common ground with his boyhood idol. The film is based on a true story.
Director
Bill Paxton
Producer
Larry Brezner, David Steinberg
Screenwriter
Mark Frost, Mark Frost
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
PG (Mild Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 30, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$15.3M
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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