DVD | Murderball

Rating: M - Contains Offensive Language & Sexual Themes.
Duration: 85 mins.
Genre : Sport Documentary.
Director: Henry Alex Rubin, Dana Adam Shapiro.
Release Date: Available now.

Murderball is extreme sports for quadriplegics. A full contact sport, it’s more commonly known as wheelchair rugby (Murderball was too hard to sell to corporate sponsors).

That’s right, it’s a full contact sport played in wheelchairs – specially constructed, toughened wheelchairs. It has to be seen, to be believed, and creates a fresh perspective on disability. It’s not long before you forget you’re watching a documentary that focuses on quadriplegics. Most of the guys are living independent lives, getting involved in the community through encouraging people in similar situations, and being ambassadors for their sport.

Being a sports documentary, there’s some serious rivalry – especially between Team USA and Team Canada – it’s more venomous than your typical New Zealand and Australia rivalry – these guys take it to a whole new personal level.

The story follows Team USA after their agonising loss to Canada in the 2000 Para-Olympics, as they re-group and focus on the 2004 Olympics. All aspects of their lives are portrayed, and there’s absolutely no room for pity – these guys are having the time of their lives doing stuff they never dreamed of.

Murderball is a fast paced adrenaline ride, with a great uplifting theme of overcoming life’s obstacles.

Food for thought
It’s easy to see disabled people – no matter the disability - as requiring our help, our pity. In reality what they need is our support and acceptance, as normal human beings.