157. The Keeper; movie review

THE KEEPER
Cert 15
119 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language

I am 56 years old and my dad is in his 80th year and this was the first time we had ever been to the pictures together.
Of course, we will have been in the cinema at the same time but we shared Kelly' Heroes and the likes with others.
Never had it just been me and him.
But when I said that I was going to spend Sunday morning at Coventry Showcase watching The Keeper, ahead of our football team's match, he was keen.
On leaving the cinema, two hours later, he proclaimed that The Keeper had been 'excellent'.
I have watched football with dad since 1968 and he had told me many times of the legendary keeper who had played on in an FA Cup final, despite sustaining a broken neck.
Therefore, the central element of the Bert Trautmann story was known to both of us. But we didn't know how he went from fighting against the Allies in the war to Wembley.
Marcus H. Rosenmüller's film stars David Kross as Trautmann who was captured by the British and taken to a prisoner of war camp in the UK.
There he struggles to take orders from the camp officer (Harry Melling) and consequently has to shovel manure.
However, his load is lightened when he is spotted by the manager (John Henshaw) of a local non-league team who is also a supplier of groceries and luxuries to the camp.
He offers him a chance to shine in goal much to the disapproval of the locals who cannot forgive and forget the recent war.
They are won over by his startling ability between the sticks and his prowess draws the attention of nearby Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Trautmann has developed an eye for the football manager's daughter (Freya Mavor) who melts to his charms.
There is no doubt that The Keeper takes big liberties with the Trautmann story.
Since watching it, I have discovered that chunks have been left out and there are elements such as the radio commentary of the 1956 FA Cup final which have transplanted a bit of 2019 into the distant past.
In addition, Trautmann's perfect romance wasn't all it is painted to be in the film.
Nevertheless, there is also much of his amazing story which is very accurate and it rekindled many a memory for my dad.
If he thought it was 'excellent', who am I to argue?

Reasons to watch: Based on one of football's most legendary stories
Reasons to avoid: Plays fast and loose with the truth

Laughs: Three
Jumps: None
Vomit: Yes
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? Bert was a POW at Garswood Park camp opposite Haydock Park racecourse. During his time here he played many football games as centre half. An Anglo-German match was organised between players from the camp and the locals from around the camp but Bert had picked up an injury and asked the goalie if he could play in goal for this game! The rest is history!

The final word. David Kross: "He's not that well known in Germany. We went to Bremen where he was from and some people knew the story but overall he is not so well known."

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