The Greatest Game Ever Played

The Greatest Game Ever Played is a 2005 biographical sports film, directed by Bill Paxton. The star Francis Ouimet is played by Shia LaBeouf. It is distributed by Walt Disney Studios, and is similar to their other fact-based sports dramas such as Remember the Titans (2000), The Rookie (2002), Miracle (2004) and The Miracle Match (2005). The film's screenplay was adapted by Mark Frost from his book, The Greatest Game Ever Played: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf.

Tag line: Everything begins with a Dream

Plot summary

Set in 1913, the film is about golfer Francis Ouimet, an amateur who was expected to fare poorly at the 1913 U.S. Open, and who was supposedly incapable of competing against professionals. Additionally, to discontinue an ongoing feud with his father, Francis agrees to get a real job and never play golf again. However, after getting a once-in-a-lifetime offer, Francis goes back on his word and competes for the U. S. Open crown. Against all odds, he managed to beat the British champions Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, who were considered the world's best golfers, and become the first amateur to win the U.S. Open.

Cast

• Shia LaBeouf as Francis Ouimet
• Stephen Dillane as Harry Vardon
• Josh Flitter as Eddie Lowery
• Peter Firth as Lord Northcliffe
• Peyton List as Sarah Wallis
• Elias Koteas as Arthur Ouimet
• Len Cariou as Stedman Comstock
• Stephen Marcus as Ted Ray