SEVE: THE MOVIE

2016 • 124 minutes

About this movie

Despite being blocked at almost every turn in pursuit of the sport he loved, Seve Ballesteros fought against adversity to become the most spectacular and charismatic golfer to ever play the game. Seve combines dramatic recreations with electrifying archive footage to tell his incredible rags to riches story; from humble beginnings on the beaches of Spain where aged six he taught himself the game with a broken 3 iron strapped to a stick to becoming world number one and the greatest golfer of a generation.

Ratings and reviews

Watched this because my brother is really into golf, and even wants to go pro someday too. 2 words: mind blown. Golf is such a complex sport, and for Seve Ballesteros it became a lifestyle. It’s so shocking that he chose a sport that seemingly requires so much equipment, space, and patience, yet he overcame all of those limitations and became a star. The fact that he was only ten years old and had the patience to play a game like golf in itself amazes me. In the film, you can clearly see how humble his beginnings were on a family farm outside of Spain and how worried his parents must have been that he might crash hard because he was aiming so high. He truly made use of his resources both literally and figuratively (ie. making a wooden golf club, networking with owners of a golf green, working as a caddie, etc.). It was really sweet seeing real footage of Seve dedicating his entire life to one passion and still being of the happiest people to ever live.

Regardless of whether you are a golf fan or not you cannot help but admire the golf legend Seve Ballesteros. Seve was an amazing golfer and had such an inspirational story and I felt this movie captured it beautifully. Part acted and part documentary archive footage this film shows every aspect of Seve's life from teaching himself the game on the beaches of Spain to winning the Masters. I wasn't sure at first if the two different types of footage would work well to tell his story but it does and the young Seve played by José Luis Gutiérrez did an amazing job. Overall the film was beautifully done and I believe the film really captures the life of Seve Ballesteros.

Beginning with hitting pebbles on the beach with a makeshift 3 iron, Seve: The Movie ensures that we understand the hard beginnings of one of the world’s most charismatic golfers. Combining reenactments of Seve Ballesteros’ childhood in Spain with archival footage of his triumphs at the British Open and US Masters, Director John-Paul Davidson weaves together a tale of a young man’s perseverance and ultimate triumph. Universally relatable, golfers and non-golfers alike will be urging Ballesteros on as he works his way up from a fan of the game to one of its legends. Actor Jose Luis Gutierrez does an excellent job as young Ballesteros, radiating all the charm of the golfer himself. With its tale of determination and its portrayal of a fascinating sports figure, there is a little something for everyone.