Few football matches have achieved a status similar to the 2005 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul. For Liverpool fans, this is a memory etched in their hearts. Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul is the documentary that revisits the same while also explaining how a struggling team produced the impossible. With interviews from key personalities such as Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, and manager Rafael Benítez, the documentary retells the 2005 saga that made Liverpool one of the best teams in the world.
The documentary begins with the 2004-05 campaign of the club under the appointment of Benítez. That was the reason it was marked as uncertain and inconsistent after the departure of their star striker, Michael Owen. This left the fan and the bidders in a shackle as they too became doubtful about the club. And this is where the comeback comes. Liverpool managed to shock everyone with their performance in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul. They did what everyone thought was not possible. With a stellar performance, they showed everyone what perseverance truly means in the field of sports.
The biggest strength of Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul lies in how the story is told to us. The revisiting of the memories by key players and management, and their giving us first-hand information on how the events unfolded, is what makes the documentary worth watching. For many old fans, this can be somewhat like reliving what they saw decades ago. With the help of archived footage to support what the players mention, the entire viewing experience becomes wholesome.
The pacing of the plot is even. You won't see the makers rushing with the interviews. Everyone is given a good amount of time to revisit what they felt or underwent, be it the happy moments or the sad ones. And, we as the audience are also given time to feel whatever is being shown in the entire run time. That is what makes Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul such an amazing watch. The research has been done well, and it shows well all in all. Every detail of the event and the campaign has been well presented. This can only happen when the plot is developed systematically. The chronology followed into the tee. Doing so has ensured that there is no confusion in the sequence of the events.
So sports lovers, if you want to watch something good, Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul is your watch. It is fun and emotional and makes you realize why you are a fan of the club. However, if you are someone who isn’t a fan of football, this might not be the best watch for you. In order to enjoy, one must know the elements of the event. And without that, this isn’t something that you will like watching. So, only watch if you are a fan or have witnessed this when it took place.
Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times