documentary series (6x30)
BBC - UK
Six-part preview of the 1978 FIFA World Cup with a look back at some of the great players and top matches of previous tournaments.
creator / writer / producer
ROBERT SIDAWAY
A book to accompany the series was written by Robert Sidaway and Bob Wilson and published by Fontana on 17 April 1978.
Argentina Heroes (We're On Our Way), the theme song from the series, was released by Pye Records on 28 April 1978. The song was performed by Moon Williams, produced by Paul Rade and written by Reade / Marshall. On the B side of the single was So Good So Far, another song featured in the series.
WINNERS AND LOSERS
A look at the origins of Association Football as well as the history of FIFA and the World Cup from 1930 to 1974.
II: COMING OF AGE / BIRTH OF THE WORLD CUP
III: 1930: THE LONG TREK / 1934: A POLITICAL TRIUMPH
IV: TWELVE EMPTY YEARS / 1950: POOLS, SHOCKS, EXCITEMENT & A SAMBA / 1954: TELEVISION CAPTURES THE 'BATTLE OF BERNE'
V: 1958 TEAM TACTICS AND A NEW SYSTEM / 1962: THE CAUTIOUS SIXTIES ARRIVE
VI: 1966: DESTROYERS AND THE HATCHET MEN / 1970: SUBSTITUTES IN THIN AIR / 1974: TOTAL FOOTBALL
THE MEN YOU LOVE TO HATE
Notes on football referees from the 1930s to 1970s, and the role of Sir Stanley Rous in creating the 'diagonal system of control' as international standards are established.
I: A HISTORIC DECISION / THE MAN WHO INVENTED REFEREEING
II: IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN IN THE PARK / A BRAVE REFEREE / GREAT DEVELOPMENTS IN FOUR YEARS
THE SWEAT MERCHANTS
Reflections on the history of coaching and some of the most influential international football managers.
II: COMING SOON
EPISODE GUIDE:
1. THE SUPERSTARS
Initial Broadcast Date: 23 April 1978
A tribute to some of the great names of the game - George Best, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff and Pelé - how they became stars and what they achieved. In addition, action features new names, like Brazil's Zico, who were looking to become the superstars of the 1978 FIFA World Cup Finals in Argentina.
2. THE MEN YOU LOVE TO HATE
Initial Broadcast Date: 30 April 1978
Much of the responsibility for a trouble-free World Cup rests with the referees. This program features two of the world's best - Arnaldo Cézar Coelho of Brazil and Clive Thomas of Wales - as well as Sir Stanley Rous who perfected the modern system of refereeing.
3. WINNERS AND LOSERS
Initial Broadcast Date: 7 May 1978
The third program traces the growth of international soccer from the earliest match to the 1974 FIFA World Cup final in Germany, and includes action from every World Cup tournament.
4. FROM TAMPA BAY TO TIMBUKTU
Initial Broadcast Date: 14 May 1978
Part 4 concentrates on the new soccer nations, including Iran, who made their debut in the 1978 FIFA World Cup Finals in the same group as Scotland. But nowhere was the game growing faster than in the United States, whose clubs were spending vast sums in recruiting some of the best players in the world and aiming to be World Cup finalists in the 1980s.
5. THE SWEAT MERCHANTS
Initial Broadcast Date: 21 May 1978
What does it take to be a World Cup manager? How do men cope with the pressures of winning and losing? Part 5 features the men in the hot seat: Helmut Schoen of West Germany, Claudio Coutinho of Brazil, Cesar Luis Menotti of Argentina, and Ally MacLeod of Scotland, all determined that their teams will finish among the medals.
6. THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN
Initial Broadcast Date: 28 May 1978
Broadcast four days before the beginning of 1978 FIFA World Cup, the last in the series looks at preparations for the Finals themselves and the goals which took the 16 countries to Argentina.