Despite the plethora of exciting TV shows, documentaries, and films that were announced by Virgin Media when they launched their Autumn slate, there was one title that instantly jumped off the page, Finding Jack Charlton.
Noah Media Group, the creators of some of the most acclaimed feature-length sports documentaries of recent years (Bobby Robson: More than a Manager, The Edge, Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans) are the team behind this one and Finding Jack Charlton will be directed by Gabriel Clarke (Bobby Robson: More Than A Manager; Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans) and Pete Thomas (Take His Legs).
The documentary was filmed during the last 18 months of Charlton's life and it promises to be a uniquely emotional insight into the life and career of a sporting legend and an inspirational take on the sports genre.
Shot on location in Ireland and England, the film also details Charlton's previously undocumented life with dementia. This contemporary narrative forms a central theme of the story, offering an intimate, compelling insight into Jack the man and the challenge faced by thousands of families universally.
The documentary features key characters from throughout Jack’s career, with contributions from his family for the first time, including his wife Pat and son John.
They'll be supported by major figures in football, music, film and politics, enabling the exploration of the major pillars of Jack’s life like his time as an England player, his glorious stint managing Ireland, and the frayed relationship that he had with his brother, Bobby.
Significantly, Charlton's family have given access to detailed, hand-written notes that Jack made and kept safe throughout his career. These personal thoughts are an intimate window into Jack’s managerial philosophy and offer a new level of understanding into ‘Finding Jack’.
Bill Malone, Director of Content Virgin Media Television, has said: “This is a remarkable documentary about a remarkable man. Finding Jack Charlton charts the glory days of Irish football set against the backdrop of a changing Ireland and his battle with dementia in his final years. It is a touching portrait of an Englishman who became one of Ireland’s greatest”
The feature will also use unseen archive footage that has captured behind the scenes with Jack and the Ireland team during the World Cup in 1990, and on the road to their qualification for the 1994 World Cup in the USA.
The documentary is being co-commissioned with the BBC and Virgin Media Television and it's expected to premiere in early 2021.
Former Republic of Ireland captain Andy Townsend is among the film’s Executive Producers too.
Speaking about the documentary, the film's co-directors, Gabriel Clarke & Pete Thomas, have said: “Jack Charlton led a fascinating life on so many levels and his achievement in football is unique. To be able to tell his story against the background of the final year of his life, when he faced perhaps his greatest challenge, enabled us to frame his incredible career from a whole new perspective. It was a privilege to work with his family and to make a film that became so much more than we expected”
We can't wait to see what's in store.
