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Reviews

People are talking about the movie.

Check out what people in the industry are saying about Reversal.

Video Reviews

Cael Sanderson

Olympic Gold Medalist and 4-Time NCAA Wrestling Champion

Kurt Angle

Olympic Wrestling Gold-Medallist and WWE Champion

Sting

WCW Champion and one of the original stars of the sport

Carl Lewis

9-time Olympic Gold-Medallist for sprinting and long jump, and one of history's greatest olympic athletes

Shannon Miller

7-time Olympic Gymnastics medallist and one of the most decorated gymnasts of all time

Kendall Cross

Olympic Wrestling Gold-Medallist and Wrestling Coach

Nancy Schultz

Widow of Olympic and World Wrestling Champion Dave Schultz

Danny Hodge

Olympic Wrestler and Heavyweight Boxing Champion

Kenny Monday

Olympic Wrestling Gold-Medallist and Wrestling Coach

Jack Spates

Oklahoma University Wrestling Coach

Cary Kolat

2-Time NCAA Champion and 2000 Olympic Team Member

Myron Cope

"Voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers"

 

Quotes from people in the Industry

“An important ‘must see,’ especially for coaches and parents who are pushing their kids in sports, or any other activity.”

— CAEL SANDERSON

“This is a good film; great acting, and the wrestling is much more truthful and authentic than Vision Quest.”

— JOHN IRVING Oscar-winning writer

“Anyone who has worked hard and sacrificed for a sport should certainly see and will enjoy this film.”

— KURT ANGLE

“This is the best independent film I have ever seen. I’ll watch it again and again, with my son, learning all along the way about much more than wrestling.”

— MIKE FURCHES CrossHome.com

“The technical strengths of screenplay, acting, and filming work well — excitement over this film is building.”

— KEN JAMES ChristianAnswers.net

“The most amazing story about an athlete that I have ever seen . . . What a great film.”

— CARL LEWIS

“Reversal is a terrific piece of work. I would like to congratulate James Petulla on a film that is long overdue.”

— ALAN C. UTTER Professor, Appalachian State

“Reversal is a universal story about trying to do the best you can with what you’ve got. I give Reversal a 10!”

— SHANNON MILLER

“Reversal truly is a powerful film. From the very first minute of the movie I was ‘in.’ The cinematography and score were excellent and the audience response afterwards was overwhelming.”

— GLENN HIBDON Tulsa World

“A wonderful movie that will break your heart.”

— KENDALL CROSS

“This movie has good Christian values and moral messages. I cried!”

— DR. TED BAEHR Movieguide

“The action is intense. The wrestling footage in this film makes the Matthew Modine wrestling flick Vision Quest look like the wrestling episode of Saved By The Bell.”

— JEFF JOHNCOX Oklahoma Daily

” . . . a very well-crafted film. It has the look and feel of a major budget studio release.”

— DOUG LUKENS Dove Foundation

“You have to see this great film! You can get something from it. And you can be better. I’m better. I can’t wait to get to the gym tomorrow.”

— KENNY MONDAY

“Petulla delivers a captivating, award-winning performance as the Coach / Father.”

— DAVID TEMPLETON Pittsburgh Post Gazette

“An astutely observed and splendidly acted depiction of good people in conflict.”

— ED BLANK Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

“Reversal is a ‘must-see’ movie. I enthusiastically rate it five ‘Pins’ for its wrenching realism and superb story plot!”

— BILL WELKER WrestlingUSA.com

Movie Reviews and Articles

Current newspaper, magazine and Web site articles that have appeared on the film

• Entertainment Insiders
  ” . . . a story that needs to be told . . . ”
  
• 1st Source Wrestling
  ” . . . a must have movie. ”
  
• Film Critic.com
  “It’s inspirational without being saccharine . . . ”
  
• Online Film Critics Society
  ” . . . authentic and believable. ”
  
• Townsend Outlook Publishing
  ” . . . a stunningly authentic independent film . . . ”
  
• Film Threat
  ” . . . sheer excitement and adrenaline rush . . . ”
  
• Hollywood Jesus
  “Good Christian message, simply brilliant . . . ”
  
• WWE Champion Kurt Angle
  “An ‘A plus’ movie . . . ”
  
• DVD Talk
  ” . . . for anyone inspired by ‘Rudy and ‘Rocky.’ ”
  
• Gold-Medallist Kendall Cross
  “I find Reversal fascinating . . . ”
  
• Washington County Observer-Reporter
  “Moviegoers call Reversal a huge hit!”
  
• ChristianAnswers.net
  “The excitement over this film is building . . . ”
  
• Pittsburgh Tribune
  Gives Reversal a 4-star review
  
• The Dove Foundation
  Reversal Receives the Dove “Family Approved” Seal
  
• OU Daily
  “The action is intense . . . ”
  
• Wrestling USA Magazine
  ” A moving tale . . . ”
  
• Kids Like Ours
  ” . . . thought provoking, morally sound . . . ”
  
• Wrestling Observer
  ” . . . best wrestling feature film I’ve ever seen . . . ”
  
• Saturday Night “Live”
  Kendall Cross on Reversal
  
• Appalachian State University
  Appalachian University prof embraces Reversal
  
• Wrestling USA Magazine
  “A triumph of the spirit . . . ”
  
• Movie Parables
  . . . manages to convey an integrity and honesty . . .
  
• Wrestling USA Magazine
  “Reversal has what it takes to be very successful . . . ”
  
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
  “Petulla and Vint offer great performances . . . ”
  
• Tulsa World
  “Reversal a big hit in Tulsa”
  
• Wrestling.com (part 1) | Wrestling.com (part 2)
  Interview with writer/producer James Petulla
  
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
  “Big screen magic . . . a triumph of spirit . . . ”
  
  

  What Viewers are Saying

  For those of US who lived it!

  “This move was an excellent example of real life wrestling. Having wrestled all my life, and having wrestled all 4 years at the University level, this movie brings it home. Gave me goose bumps. My only critizim is that the Coach, great guy, was unlike my real Coaches, the real Coaches push you, as a wrestler, to your very level of existance, and may there be mercy on your soul if you don’t think wrestling is about competing. There are only one of two reason why you are in a wrestling room, to compete to be a national champion or you are just flat out crazy. Coach said on the first day of practice “There are two people I fear in life, God and me. . . gentlement welcome to the Marine Corps of sports!” Make no mistake this movie depicts some of the trails, tribulation, and dedication we, as wrestlers, make to be the best, b/c as second sucks! It shows how we grew-up. Enjoy a great flick!”
  — Mustang P-51

   

  Accurate depiction of the sport

  “My friend showed me this movie back in 2003. Most of the people on the wrestling team were quite demoralized about the sport was about since all it summed down to was dedicating yourself to a sport that nobody cares about. This is even mentioned in the movie by the mother.

  Most coaches or parents don’t seem to know what wrestlers seem to go through nor do they seem to care. The greatest part of the movie is when the dad is proud of his son for quitting.”
  — EH

   

  Floored!

  “Leo and his dad possess a very close father and son relationship, one that I think most sons would love to have or have had with their dads. However the dad is quite demanding and aggressive in his approach to his son’s success as a future big-time wrestler. He incessantly pushes and pushes and pushes his son toward excellence, even at the expense of his son’s health and mental well-being. The dad is not a mean man by any stretch, he is just driven … driven to see his son attain what he could not.

  I don’t care how strong a person is or how much resolve one has the capacity for, you can only stretch a rubberband so taut before it breaks. Leo patiently endures the demands of his dad because his need for approval is strong, yet there are dissenting voices ‘shouting’ from the sidelines (personified by his mom, girlfriend, and uncle) to get him to see that he is headed for disaster if he continues to put himself in peril in order to reach his elusive goal.

  The inner turmoil that ensues causes Leo to make a decision he deeply regrets, and nothing is the same again. ”
  — Gault

   

  Reversal

  “This is a great movie about wrestling. It tells the truth of what can happen to a child if pushed to hard. It is great and enjoyable.”
  — Kimberly Privat

   

  The Most Accurate Depiction of Wrestling

  “While Vision quest is sort of a classic, funny wrestling movie, Reversal is much more accurate and realistic. If you are a wrestler or just want to know what some of your wrestling friends go through, this movie really hits the nail on the head. The story is deep, and goes beyond just beating a “bad guy” and everyone going home happy.

  Also note that the wrestling done in the movie is real, not choreographed. So you’re looking at some quality wrestling here.”
  — Gregory Alongi

   

  Scary Realization

  “I found this movie powerful, and an awesome portrayl of the real-life struggle that happens too often among wrestlers. I have seen it happen in my small town, and don’t doubt that it will continue to happen in the future of the sport. I’m not saying it is a bad sport, it teaches not only teamwork, but also responsibility for ones own actions. The best is at the end of the movie where it says “for all fathers” because the reason the fathers push their sons too hard is because they care, and believe that they can succeed. It is difficult to find the right balance of push, but if a wrestler loses heart in the sport, there is not much one can do to bring it back. This movie is AWESOME and I recomend it to any fan of any sport.”
  — Anonymous

   

  More than it seems…

  “This film works on many different fronts. In one instance it can be viewed as a tribute to the sport of wrestling. It could also be seen as a cautionary tale about parents putting their own wishes over their childrens’ needs. On a deeper level it brings to light issues about abuse, and the psychological trauma it leave on the victims. Critics and fans alike have praised this film for many different things, and many valid messages are expressed through this seemingly simple story about a high-school wrestler and his father/coach coming to terms with one another.”
  — Kenneth Leung

   

  Finally, another great wrestling movie!

  “By far the best wrestling movie ever made! Even better than Vision Quest…more real wrestling and a look at the truth behind what high school wrestlers go through. Highly recommended!!”
  — C. Legawiec

   

  Terrific movie!

  “In a world fraught with movies about baseball, basketball, and football, it’s great to see a good movie about wrestling. The wrestling action in the movie was great and edge-of-your-seat tense. The story of the father-son relationship was well done and heart-felt..the son trying to please his dad while trying to follow his own dreams…the dad trying to live his life and his failures through his son. It’s a great story…and a great movie. The DVD includes all sorts of extras and behind-the-scenes stuff that’s really interesting and good to watch.”
  — Richard L. Barnett

   

  A great movie for all

  “This is an excellent potrayal of life in a small town although it could be anywhere USA. There is also no doubt in my mind that right now in families all across America there are fathers and sons who are living this story or something similar. This film is about a Dad who loves his son and wants only for him to do his best with what he has to work with and a son who loves his dad very much and want’s to please him but has his own ideas about what he wants to do with his life. Some ads I’ve seen portray this as a wrestling movie and reviews of the movie by wrestlers seem to agree that some of the best amateur wrestling ever seen in movies is in this film. I have to agree. I gave this movie a 5. Tell you the truth I would have gone higher but 5 was as high as it goes.”
  — Tom Collins

   

  Wonderful Father Son Love Story With Wrestling As A Backdrop

  “To be honest, when I first saw this movie I wasn’t expecting much and the truth is that I was blown away. This is certainly the best Independent film I have seen and would highly recommend it to anyone, especially those who have a desire to live their dreams through their children. The cinematography is tremendous, acting first class, and story exceptional. I reviewed the movie for a couple of web sites around a year ago, …and loved it. The DVD is also an exceptional value with all of the extra features that have gone into it. I give the movie 5 deserving stars, it not only entertains, it provides value regards the development of parental relationships. Beware that not everyone in the movie is perfect, this is not a Disney family, it is a real family with real struggles and real problems. That is one of the beautiful things about the movie though. Most every parent will appreciate this movie. Whether they know the sport of wrestling or not can relate to the characters. In the tradition of Searching for Bobby Fisher and every bit as good, this movie will cause parents to ponder the relationship they have with their children. It goes a step further however in that it also provides insights for the children as to why their parents often drive them to the extent they do. This movie made it to my top 100 list of all time and will rank on my top 10 list for this last year. Enjoy it and learn from it… ”
  — Michael A. Furches

   

  Reviews from Amazon
   

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