Chasing the Champions: A weird, dusty time capsule of sports

Is this thing worth your time?

Honestly, that depends on your tolerance for black-and-white grain and zero narrative structure. If you’re into sports history or just want something to zone out to for twenty minutes, go for it. If you need a movie to actually go somewhere, you’re going to be bored to tears within the first three minutes.

It’s a collection of clips. That’s it. No host, no deep dive into the athletes, just a series of events mashed together.

The experience

There is something bizarrely hypnotic about watching Equipoise win a race in this thing. The footage is so old it feels like it’s being held together by tape and luck. The horses look like they’re running in slow motion compared to modern races, but the crowd’s excitement still cuts through the static.

Then, suddenly, we’re at a baseball game. The home run happens, and it’s over so fast you might miss it if you blink. It’s not like watching Her New York where you’re trying to follow a plot. Here, you’re just a spectator at a ghost game.

• The hockey section is chaotic in the best way.
• Nobody wears helmets.
• The skating looks almost… clumsy?

I found myself wondering who filmed this and why they picked these specific highlights. It feels like someone just emptied a dusty box of film reels onto a projector and called it a day. It reminds me a bit of the random travelogues you’d see in The Towering Wonders of Utah, just focused on sweaty guys instead of canyons.

Odd little moments

There’s this one shot of a player swinging a bat where the camera seems to lose focus entirely. It lingers on the blurry grass for a second too long. It’s imperfect. I liked it.

Sometimes the film skips, and for a second, you think the whole thing is going to snap. It’s got that raw, unpolished energy you just don't get in modern sports broadcasts. It’s not trying to be a Miracle of the Wolves-style production; it’s just a record.

Don't expect a masterpiece. Don't even expect a cohesive documentary. It’s just sports. It’s just winning. It’s just old. 🎞️