This film is part of Rentals
Cup Fever
Youth football team Barton Utd triumph against the odds in a Children's Film Foundation classic
Director: David Bracknell
Overview
An underdog boys' team are the heroes of this football-themed Children's Film Foundation classic. Cup Fever has the trappings of an Ealing comedy - with plucky, ragtag Barton United pitted against the better-equipped and altogether more privileged rivals Tooley Green. Tooley have devious friends in high places in the form of Councillor Bates, their captain's dad, who conspires to turn Barton's training ground into a car park. Can Barton's David topple the Tooley Goliath?
Bernard Cribbins offers well-pitched support as a benevolent policeman, while a 14-year-old Susan George gets an early outing. There's also some fascinating footage of mid-60s Manchester - including an Old Trafford stadium in the process of transformation (though the titular contest takes place at Moss Lane, home to amateurs Altringham FC). Manchester United fans with long memories will enjoy an awkward cameo from the legendary manager Sir Matt Busby and glimpses of heroes Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law. For balance, Bert Trautman, goalkeeper of arch-rivals Man City, is seen presenting the trophy.
Related
The BFG The BFG
Fantasy 2016 117 mins Director: Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg’s luminous Roald Dahl adaptation boasts an enchanting performance from Mark Rylance as the Big Friendly Giant who befriends a little girl (Ruby Barnhill).
Runaway Railway Runaway Railway
Children's 1970 55 mins Director: Jan Darnley-Smith
A pre-Porridge Ronnie Barker plays a dim-witted train robber up to no good in this steam-era comedy adventure for kids
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 5) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 5)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
With the series in full flow, the fifth episode showcases some splendid interplay between the team – plus some sumptuous mugging from David Jason.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 11) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 11)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
Highlights in this episode include the terrific ‘Art Gallery’ sketch, with a Gumby-esque Terry Jones exhibited as a living art work.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 12) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 12)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
As the series nears its conclusion everybody in the cast seems thoroughly at ease with each other, delivering both slapstick and cerebral sketches with smooth efficiency.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 13) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 13)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
The last show of the first series sees everybody larking about somewhat.
Song of the Sea Song of the Sea
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2014 93 mins Director: Tomm Moore
Tomm Moore’s Oscar-nominated animation follows the magical journey of Ben and his sister Saoirse, the last Seal-child.
Flash Gordon Flash Gordon
Science Fiction 1980 112 mins Director: Mike Hodges
Sam J. Jones stars as the quintessential comic strip hero, out to save the Earth from Ming the Merciless, in Mike Hodges’ visually ravishing sci-fi.
Early Man Early Man
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2018 89 mins Director: Nick Park
In Aardman’s latest animated adventure, Caveman Dug and his pet hog, Hognog, must unite their tribe if they're are to survive the threat of pompous tyrant Lord Nooth.
Robot Dreams Robot Dreams
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 103 mins Director: Pablo Berger
Spanish director Pablo Berger delivers a rich and emotionally engaging dialogue-free animation about friendship, set in a bustling 1980s New York City.
Kensuke's Kingdom Kensuke's Kingdom
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 84 mins Director: Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry
Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel is brought to life in this delightful, animated tale of a young castaway who discovers he’s not alone.
Flow Flow
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 85 mins Director: Gints Zilbalodis
Oscar-winning animated adventure about an unlikely group of animals who must work together to survive a natural disaster.
Ellis Park Ellis Park
Documentary 2024 106 mins Director: Justin Kurzel
Snowtown director Justin Kurzel’s first foray into documentary is an intimate portrait of iconic Australian musician and composer Warren Ellis.
Baby Baby
Drama 2024 106 mins Director: Marcelo Caetano
São Paulo’s streets can offer danger or opportunity, and for Baby, a young gay man carving out his own existence, they deliver both.
Alpha Alpha
Horror 2025 128 mins Director: Julia Ducournau
Julia Ducournau follows her Palme d’Or-winning Titane with this powerful family drama starring Tahar Rahim and Golshifteh Farahani.
The Ceremony The Ceremony
Thriller 2024 92 mins Director: Jack King
When night falls, two Bradford car wash workers are dragged into an escalating moral crisis.
Palestine 36 Palestine 36
Period drama 2025 120 mins Director: Annemarie Jacir
Acclaimed Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir’s most ambitious work is a powerful exploration of the events leading up to the Arab Revolt of 1936.
Ghost Trail Ghost Trail
Thriller 2024 106 mins Director: Jonathan Millet
Tense, morally complex political thriller about a man hunting down fugitive war criminals from the Assad regime in Syria, inspired by true events.