Best

Best - 2000 | 106mins | Drama, Sport | Colour

The Production Team

Director: Mary McGuckian.
Producer: Elvira Bolz, Mary McGuckian and Chris Roff.
Script: John Lynch and Mary McGuckian.
Cinematography: Witold Stok.
Editing: Kant Pan.
Art Direction: Sara Jane Cornish.
Production Design: Max Gottlieb.
Costume Department: Anushia Nieradzik.
Make-up Department: Dorka Nieradzik and Linda Catlin.
Sound Department: Jim Greenhorn and Simon Clark.
Original Music: Mark Stevens.

The Cast

John Lynch - George Best
Ian Bannen - Sir Matt Busby
Jerome Flynn - Sir Bobby Charlton
Ian Hart - Nobby Stiles
Linus Roache - Denis Law
Cal MacAninch - Paddy Crerand
David Haymen - Tommy Docherty
Roger Daltrey - Rodney Marsh
Clive Anderson - interviewer
Amanda Ryan - Mrs Crerand

Plot Synopsis

The story of the legend that is George Best. The man with the world at his feet and the tackle to achieve his goals, both on and of the field. His on field achievements and skills are part of football folklore. The exploits off the field are equally as notable and as often quoted.

To a boy growing up in Northern Ireland as Lynch did, George Best must have seemed an icon on a par with Muhammad Ali. Best himself has voiced his satisfaction with this film, but although Lynch is adept at imitating Best's mannerisms, his portrayal of this legendary figure offers no real insight into why Best lost his brilliant career to alcoholism, or whether he now views his life with regret. Perhaps Rest did not know himself.