Ping Pong

What a terrific film! A simple story told with wit, intelligence and humanity. No voice-over — the characters were allowed to tell their own stories. Lively and yet non-intrusive soundtrack. Great camera work.

They should get the men who made this film into the BBC to show them how to make interesting and entertaining documentaries without repetition and condescension and with no celebrities marching up and down waving their arms at the camera. Programmes for an audience who want to make up their own minds. That would be a fine thing.

A big thank you to Pat for laying on the refreshments! Your home-made sausage rolls & mince pies were terrific. (All were eaten.) You've done a great job on the refreshments all year. Thanks Pat!

Great audience feedback: the score was 90%:

A	Masterful storytelling
A	A fantastic film which portrayed some of the real beauty of life.
A	Uplifting, held the interest.
A	Very uplifting.
A	VERY ENJOYABLE
A
A	Lovely life-affirming film.
A	A wonderful, brilliant, life affirming film!
A	My ping pong career may just about start to begin again at 50. I have a wicked backhand!! Wonderful – Wakefield legend of sport.
A	Amusing and uplifting film. Never say die!
A	What a lovely film – funny and poignant. An affectionate look at old age. (Glad I recommended it)
A	Excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
A	Very well made film – best I have seen for ages.
A
A
A	Very uplifting and enjoyable.
A	What an inspiration! Brilliant!
A	Inspirational!
B	Inspiring, humorous, unusual film.
B	A lesson for us all – keep fit and friendly. Lovely film with special people.
B	Lovely film. What inspirational and unassuming people.
B
B	Fascinating – such a positive film – just hope I am as fit and active when I get to 80!
B	Inspiring and enjoyable. Lots of fun.
B	Enjoyable documentary with thought-provoking stories.
B	Weirdly inspirational.
B	Uplifting! Anyone for tennis?
B
B	Wonderful, spoilt by people behind continually talking.
B	Touching but a little bit slow
C	A very interesting and informative film. It teaches you that there's a lot to live for in old age as long as you are prepared to do something about it.
C	Not my thing – too much illness and mortality.

Online stuff:
Anthony Quinn in The Independent: "'Inspirational' hardly covers it"
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/ping-pong-pg-7920560.html

Rotten Tomatoes 88% audience rating:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ping_pong_2012/

Good background article by Sally Williams in The Telegraph: "Going Batty"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9342239/Going-batty-the-stars-of-over-80s-table-tennis.html

Guardian interview with Les D'Arcy: "One of my first big tournaments was in Helsinki when I was 59, and I cycled all the way there ... you have to find the cheapest way to get around."
http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2012/jun/15/weekender-les-darcy-ping-pong-champion

Another Guardian article about Les and Terry;  "The good news is I got a bronze. [high jump competition] The bad news is there were only three of us in it."
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/jul/01/91-year-old-ping-pong-champion

Les D'Arcy's death reported in the Wakefield Express:
http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/local-news/tributes-paid-to-veteran-wakefield-sportsman-les-d-arcy-1-5400401

IMDB 7.0 out of 10:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2117946/