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Sports Film of the Week: Paradise Lost - a short documentary on the 1950 World Cup final

A moving look at the most disappointing day in Brazil’s rich footballing history.

Title: Paradise Lost

Released: 1950

Director: Paulo Perdigao

Plot: Brazil are presented with their best-ever chance to win a first World Cup, yet this historic moment acquires near-tragic proportions when they’re beaten 2-1 by Uruguay in the final. The documentary skilfully conveys all the anticipation and eventual disappointment that characterised the day in question, creating an insightful snapshot of its time in the process.

What the critics said: “You see, feel the passion and the excitement and expectation, and then the unavoidable catastrophe in the last minutes of the last game.” Alex Bellos, author.

Random YouTube comment: “truly emotional, wonderful mix of film and photos.. only if Brasil win the 2014 in that stadium will they erase the ghost of the Celeste..” (hullcityafc72)

Watch it in full below

Alex Bellos / YouTube

h/t @BlameDriver

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