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7.8 Ping Pong
Documentary, Special Interest, Sports & Fitness
Les D'Arcy is a living legend. At 89 years old, he's obviously not received the memo about slowing down, and is going for gold, literally. He's headed to China to compete in the over 80s Table Tennis Championships in Inner Mongolia. A seven time world champion, he still lifts weights to train -- something he's been doing for decades, after surviving a sickly childhood. Of course, compared to some, Les is a spring chicken. Australian legend Dorothy deLow is 100, and finds herself a mega celebrity in this rarefied world. She'd better watch out though -- Texan Lisa Modlich is fifteen years her junior and is determined to do what it takes to win her first gold.
Rating
PG
Director
Hugh Hartford
Writer
Hugh Hartford
  • This film was fantastic and really showed how you need not go quietly into the slower years of life.
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  • A fair documentary, but no ground was broken
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  • A simple, straightforward documentary.
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  • Above average in more than one way, if never quite exceptional. A lovely portrait of several people, which also manages to be a little bit exciting and heart warming too.
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  • Uplifting and excellent documentary about what it is to live life via the medium of over 80's Ping Pong! Well observed, edited and collated this is a real gem.
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  • Fab documentary, following some over 85s as they compete at the world table tennis championship. It just goes to show you are never too old. Very inspiring. One woman was 100!
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  • The youngest person in this documentary is 80, the oldest 100. Still in the game. I would be happy if I can still walk unaided when I am 90, nevermind playing ping pong. Great documentary. Incredible mental strength and physically too.
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  • Movies like this give me lots of hope for my elderly years - I wish the film had been a little less slow-moving...but all of the players seemd like really cool people and their spirits and determination are totally inspiring.
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  • Charmingly lovely that's all I can say really. I loved it and it was very funny.
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  • Life can be a hollow sphere made of celluloid from the nitration of cellulose from cotton. Find your passion. It could save you!
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  • Plot Ping Pong, a documentary, follows the fortunes of eight elderly amateur table tennis players from around the globe as they compete in the Over-80s Table Tennis Championships, held in Inner Mongolia. Review To some, the Inspire a Generation tagline for the London 2012 Olympics may be perceived as too one-dimensional, focusing narrowly on the pubescent bracket, whilst other, more refined age groups are left without the sporting encouragement and concern they deserve. Ping Pong firmly puts our OAPs back in the frame, proving that there is life to be found in the old dogs, yet. The timely message of this piece transcends our Olympiad's stale beacon of motivation, by attesting that the spectre of mortality in old age is no barrier to participating in a good old fashioned game of table tennis, or any sport or activity for that matter. As with many good documentaries, Ping Pong's subject matter becomes interesting and engrossing with the rolling of the film, whilst dually being ostensibly arid before viewing. Another potential problem the film manages to negate is the threat of a patronising tone towards the table tennis playing pensioners; however, our competitors are so engaging, charming and entertaining, that this is never a distraction, making Ping Pong a wonderfully fascinating documentary.
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  • Short, sweet and uplifting. Humorous but ultimately lack drama.
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  • Heart warming and a beautiful insight to how these players see their health and their mortality. Had me in tears as well as laughter. Makes you feel like you want to get up and go and do something productive, no matter how old or young you are. Simply brilliant!
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  • It s wonderful - heart warming but not sentimental, funny , moving ...
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  • A rousing documentary that pays tribute to the grit of male and female competitors in the over-80 World Table Tennis Championships.
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