Pele biography film

Worth his weight in goals, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known to the world solely by his moniker of Pelé, remains Brazil’s greatest sports hero and history’s most accomplished footballer.

On the field, he scored with astonishing frequency, while off of it he charmed, nurturing an apolitical persona. These two truths converge in “Pelé,” a new documentary from directors Ben Nicholas and David Tryhorn, who have a special focus on sports-related topics.

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But though its direct title could perhaps imply a comprehensive or definitive study of both the man and the player, it’s neither of those in full. 

The film chronicles key matches, framing his story between Brazil’s loss in the 1950 Brazil-hosted World Cup to Uruguay—a devastating blow to the nation’s pride—and Pelé’s quest for personal redemption at the 1970 edition in Mexico.

Pelé, only a child when the “Maracanazo” happened in 1950, saw his father cry and promised to amend the tragedy. Mov