Everton - Howard's Way

Everton - Howard's Way is an enthralling 2019 documentary that showcases the impact and legacy of one of English football's most iconic teams during the 1980s. The film centers around the famed Everton Football Club and offers a deep dive into a pivotal period in the club's history revolving around the leadership of charismatic manager Howard Kendall. With candid appearances from notable football figures such as Andy Gray, Kevin Ratcliffe, Peter Reid, and many more, the film creates an immersive exploration of the dynamics, politics, and personalities of football at the time.

The film starts by painting a vivid picture of the football landscape during the early 1980s. Everton, despite being recognised as one of the traditional powerhouses of English football, had been underperforming on the pitch, desperately searching for stability and success. Enter Howard Kendall, a young, ambitious manager with a tireless dedication to turning the club's fortunes around.

With the use of archival footage and exclusive interviews, Everton - Howard's Way sheds light on Kendall's vision, tactics and management style that transformed a struggling Everton side into a formidable force both domestically and in Europe. The journey is skilfully articulated with footage of key matches, locker room discussions, and media interactions, expertly meshed with interviews and commentary from the players who were central to this transformation.

Andy Gray, Kevin Ratcliffe, and Peter Reid not only deliver fascinating insights into Kendall's reign and the team's performance but also provide a deeply personal account of their life under the manager's tutelage. It's not merely a football-focused film; it is a touching tribute to a man who instilled a fierce sense of pride and resilience in his players, revealing a more human side to the enormously influential figures in English football.

Set against a backdrop of the socio-economic challenges Liverpool faced during the 80s, Everton - Howard's Way doesn't shirk from contextualizing the story within the wider battles of the era. From unemployment crises to the rampant hooliganism plaguing English football, director Rob Sloman ensures that the societal aspects that affected and were affected by the rise of Kendall's Everton are amply highlighted.

The production quality of Everton - Howard's Way is top-notch, maintaining a perfect balance between the glorious past and the insightful present. The film's pacing and narrative structure keep the viewers engaged with compelling interviews, strategically placed to weave together this intricate story of a football team and the community around it. Furthermore, the film is not merely a retelling of historical events, but it serves as a deeply moving homage, allowing for emotional depth to seep into the triumphant tale of a team's rise from mediocrity to stardom.

One of the standout features of the documentary is the way it handles the inevitable peaks and troughs of the team's journey. The euphoria of victories, the sting of losses, the human drama that unfolds off the field - all are captured with an authenticity that will resonate with football fans and non-football fans alike. The documentary takes viewers on an emotional journey, encapsulating the joys, disappointments, and the sheer unpredictability that defines the world of competitive football.

Fans of Everton FC will undoubtedly relish this in-depth examination of a defining chapter in the club’s history that remains pivotal even today. However, Everton - Howard's Way transcends the blue half of Merseyside, appealing to a broad audience due to director Sloman's approach to storytelling. Through its focus on human relations, societal contexts, and the unequivocal joy of victory, the film reveals itself as a universal tale of overcoming obstacles and the undying pursuit of success.

In essence, Everton - Howard's Way is an intelligent, heartwarming, and engrossing documentary that serves as a time capsule to a golden era of English club football. It is not only a tale of the indomitable spirit of a team but a celebration of a legendary figure in football, Howard Kendall. Through rich footage and sincere narratives from the players and staff who were there to bear witness, the film etches an inspiring story of passion, pride, and perseverance at the heart of football.