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Poster for '78 Cup - The Power of Football

'78 Cup - The Power of Football

Seen it?

1979 | 83 min | Documentary

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for the curious.
The mood
Eye-opening.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 23 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Portuguese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1979: an older pace and style.

Documentary about the Football World Cup held in Argentina in 1978, focusing on the competition and behind the scenes of the most important soccer competition in the world. Two versions of the 1978 official film exist, the first "Copa 78 - O Poder do Futebol" was made by Brazilian directors Maurício Sherman and Victor di Mello in 1979 but was later withdrawn by FIFA because of its controversial content. The film includes an interview with Rodolfo Galimberti, one of the leaders of the Montoneros guerrilla group and also made accusations that the Argentinian competition organisation committee had deliberately hindered Brazilian chances of success by tampering with the pitch at Mar del Plata.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    Not enough engagement data yet

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Cast & crew

Directed by Maurício Sherman

  • Sérgio ChapelinSelf - Narrator (voice)
  • Mario KempesSelf
  • César Luis MenottiSelf
  • ZicoSelf
  • RivelinoSelf
  • Teófilo CubillasSelf
  • Ramón QuirogaSelf
  • Paolo RossiSelf