This is an HBO documentary that focuses on the 1974-1976 seasons of the Philadelphia Flyers. It is mostly of interest to older fans of the team and hockey historians. Nothing ground-breaking or fascinating but lots of fun for those of us who grew up idolizing the team. It gives a short history of the franchise and tries to provide rationale for the team going to the strategy that it did. There is some rationalization but it also does take them to task for "ruining" the game.
Lots of interviews with the former players and short focus periods on Clarke, Parent, Shero and Schultz (it is "Broad Street Bullies" after all). I would have liked it to be longer but I imagine most people would find it long enough. Some players are hardly mentioned (Bladon, Nolet, Crisp, Ashbee, MacLeish) but there's only so much you can do in the time given. It does a good job of covering their impact on the NHL. They were a disgrace but at the same time, they brought a lot of attention and attendance to the NHL and helped make it a major sport in the USA. It helps when there is a good villain. Also it covers the irony that after the Red Army team breezed through the NHL, it took the team that everybody hated to become the "hero" and beat them. Lots of good clips including Kate Smith.
Great to see the guys today and hear their reflections - not a single one regrets anything. The funniest line to me was when they were describing their off-ice appearance: Fu Manchu mustaches, long hair, loud clothing. One of the interviewees said "He all looked like porn stars". Hilarious.
Lots of interviews with the former players and short focus periods on Clarke, Parent, Shero and Schultz (it is "Broad Street Bullies" after all). I would have liked it to be longer but I imagine most people would find it long enough. Some players are hardly mentioned (Bladon, Nolet, Crisp, Ashbee, MacLeish) but there's only so much you can do in the time given. It does a good job of covering their impact on the NHL. They were a disgrace but at the same time, they brought a lot of attention and attendance to the NHL and helped make it a major sport in the USA. It helps when there is a good villain. Also it covers the irony that after the Red Army team breezed through the NHL, it took the team that everybody hated to become the "hero" and beat them. Lots of good clips including Kate Smith.
Great to see the guys today and hear their reflections - not a single one regrets anything. The funniest line to me was when they were describing their off-ice appearance: Fu Manchu mustaches, long hair, loud clothing. One of the interviewees said "He all looked like porn stars". Hilarious.
