Sporting documentaries have become a recent phenomenon, providing fans with intimate access to the lives of their favorite athletes. Series like “The Last Dance,” “Drive to Survive,” and “Welcome to Wrexham” have garnered significant attention on streaming platforms. However, not all viewers are convinced that these documentaries present an unbiased portrayal of the athletes’ careers. Critics argue that these films manipulate the narrative to polish the image of the sporting stars, disregarding any negative aspects. The Sunday Times recently took a closer look at the four-hour Netflix documentary series, “Beckham,” which chronicles the rollercoaster career of football superstar David Beckham. Their investigation revealed several examples of alleged historical revisionism, designed to maintain Beckham’s halo effect.
The Sunday Times highlighted six instances in the “Beckham” documentary where they claim the narrative was manipulated in favor of the footballer. These examples raise doubts about the authenticity and accuracy of the storytelling in athlete documentaries.
1. World Cup match 1998: The documentary portrays Beckham as a victim of hostility from his own Manchester United supporters after being sent off for fouling an Argentine player. However, the Sunday Times discovered that Beckham actually remained a beloved figure at his home ground from the moment he returned to play.
2. World Cup qualifier 2001: The film suggests that Beckham was fouled on the pitch, leading to a dramatic goal that rescued England’s hopes of advancing. In reality, it was Teddy Sheringham who was fouled, setting up the free kick for Beckham to score.
3. Madrid 2004: The documentary explores the fallout from tabloid allegations of an affair between Beckham and his personal assistant. It presents a Daily Mirror front page with the headline, “The England captain dismissed the allegations as ludicrous.” However, the actual newspaper headline read, “My sister DID have an affair with Becks.”
These examples raise questions about the true nature of athlete documentaries. Critics argue that these films serve as nothing more than PR exercises, allowing athletes to control their image and whitewash any controversies they may have been involved in. The athletes themselves often appear as executive producers in the credits, further fueling suspicions of manipulation and bias.
Despite these controversies, the popularity of athlete documentaries shows no signs of waning. “Beckham” has already attracted a record-breaking 3.4 million subscribers in the UK alone. This presents a win-win situation for Netflix, which coincidentally plans to raise its subscription prices by £1 in the same region.
The rise of athlete documentaries has given fans unprecedented access to their sporting idols. However, the alleged manipulation of narrative in these films raises concerns about their authenticity and objectivity. As these documentaries continue to attract large audiences, it is essential for viewers to approach them with a critical eye and question the motivations behind their production. Only through careful analysis can we separate fact from fiction in the world of athlete documentaries.