ESPN Films' 'Roll Tide/War Eagle' Will Be Most Fascinating Addition of Series
ESPN's Roll Tide/War Eagle will shed some understanding to something that can't be understood unless you are a part of it. That is the Alabama-Auburn rivalry.
ESPN Films has been spreading understanding for fascinating sports topics since they began the 30 for 30 series. This one win will stand atop the list as the best effort of all of those films.
This film was directed by ESPN’s own Martin Khodabakhshian, produced by Joe Tessitore and Bruce Feldman.
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The film centers on the past two years of this rivalry. Those have been a spectacular two years.
Alabama and Auburn have split the last two Iron Bowls. The winner has gone on to win the national championship.
The game, which is coined "The Iron Bowl," has been filled with star players. The past two Heisman Trophy winners have played in this rivalry. That has only served to ratchet up the intensity on a rivalry that was already off the intensity charts.
As riveting as the on-field action has been, it is with the fans where this rivalry hits the next level.
Director Khodabakshian put this in perspective when he offered this up at the film's premiere in a Alabama theater and was quoted on al.com:
"I've got to tell you. You guys are nuts!"
At least one person in the crowd seemed to agree as he shouted, "Welcome to Alabama!"
Like any team with a large fan base, there are fans that take things to an absurd extreme. What is so fascinating about this rivalry is those fans seem to take things beyond previous conceptions of bizarre.
This is wildly apparent as the film touches on the poisoning of two famous oak trees on the Auburn campus by an angry Alabama fan.
The passion is not all centered on the negative. Fans of these teams were able to put aside their differences as they offered aid in relief efforts after tornadoes ravaged Alabama.
There is no other rivalry that packs this kind of passion. There is no other rivalry that has the depth of storylines as this one and none other has led to a very entertaining documentary.
