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The story of the “Miracle on Ice” is being told in a way it has never been before.
Netflix will release its documentary, “Miracle: The Boys of ’80,” on Friday, which will feature never-before-seen footage of Team USA as they prepare to face the infamous Soviets en route to a quest for gold that seemed unthinkable at first.
“This is one of those indelible moments, indelible stories that it feels like if you could bring it back to life and reframe it in a new way, it would resonate no matter when you do it,” said film co-director Max Gershberg in a recent interview with Pakinomist Digital.
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Overhead shot of Team USA players celebrating on the ice after winning their medal round win against the USSR in the Olympic Fieldhouse at the Olympic Center. Miracle on ice. The scene took place in Lake Placid, New York, on February 22, 1980. (Eric Schweikardt/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
It’s not called the “Miracle on Ice” for nothing. But Gershberg and co-director Jake Rogal knew it was important to reach out to the younger generation, who might not realize this wasn’t just a hockey game. The game was played in the middle of the Cold War with soaring global tensions, and the directors want everyone to remember that.
“I don’t think it’s meant to be overtly political, but I think there’s a real power in a moment like this that was so transcendent and unifying for a country. Whether you were a hockey fan or not, whoever you were, whatever your background, whatever region of the country you were from, it was a moment where the country was really depressed and they think there was something,” Gershberg said.
“It’s really important, especially for younger generations who don’t know the story that well. They need to understand that,” added Rogal, who also directed Netflix’s “The Last Dance” and, with Gershberg, “Court of Gold.” “But it’s rare now that you have a moment that you can rally around. And then I think it’s hard for people who are probably 20 and younger to understand what it felt like because of social media and everyone sees things at different times.
Mike Eruzione participates in a ceremonial puck drop before the start of a game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” on February 22, 2020. (Stephen R. Sylvania/USA TODAY Sports)
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“Back then, this was a moment that everybody was watching. Everybody rallied around. So I think it’s important to show people what it was like and what it’s like to come together and have that one moment. Knowing where America was at that time, it’s important to understand that it needed this moment. This moment was important to everybody, whether you worked in construction or you thought it was something that was important to everybody. The country was to emphasize that point.”
Gershberg and Rogal both noted that these days Americans all too often come together in the wake of tragedy. But February 22, 1980 was a time when Americans came together to celebrate an achievement.
“Today, we’re certainly not immune to disagreeing about anything and everything and feeling some discord in our society. So I think it’s just fun and uplifting to see that a moment like this is possible,” Gershberg said. “This is just an iconic, indelible moment in American cultural history. And whether you’re a hockey fan or not, we want people to see it in a new light, to enjoy it, to learn again in new vivid detail who these guys were. They were boys back then, playing this mighty, invincible Soviet team. And hopefully, whether you know this story or not, it’ll just inspire.”
Jim Craig celebrates Team USA’s victory over the USSR on February 22, 1980. (Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
“Just the ability to rally around a positive moment, that really doesn’t happen anymore. Something good happens and people just tear it down. And I think there was a time when something good happened and everybody was excited about it and that was it. There was no digging up people’s Twitter history or seeing who said what before. It was just like, this thing that was cool for us and I think it was cool and I think it was cool and I think it was cool for us.” to see it again because it doesn’t happen anymore,” Rogal said.
“And I think that makes it pretty special.”
