Understand that this is not a documentary. It is more art than journalism, meant to embellish myths and help create athletic heroes. And that's all right. Its ambition is to allow fans an opportunity to relive, maybe even heighten, the euphoria. In that quest, it touches all the bases.
The opening - in which various players and manager Charlie Manuel read Inquirer columnist Phil Sheridan's elegant day-after composition against a background of quick-cut images - and the ending - in which random fans thank various players and the team for ending the city's championship drought - are inspired.
In between are a quick recap of the regular season, a more detailed examination of the NLDS win over the Brewers and the NLCS win over the Dodgers and an in-depth look at each of the World Series games.
The most startling vignette reveals an agitated Jimmy Rollins coming out of the indoor batting cage, where Pat Burrell is taking some swings, late in the resumption of Game 5.
"That's what's missing. You," Rollins sneers. "I don't know who this guy is. I don't know who you are. I want to see No. 5 show up."
The scene is meant to illustrate Rollins' leadership, especially since Burrell then went out and led off the seventh inning with a double that set up the winning run in the clincher. But there is little doubt from the edge in his voice that the shortstop was legitimately peeved.
Thankfully, many players were either oblivious to the notion that they were being watched so closely or reveled in the opportunity to ham it up a little. Either way, it makes for enjoyable viewing.
