The World's Greatest Kicker (1975) DVD Review

Sports Comedies. I love them. Always Have! Always Will! Whether it is Space Jam, White Men Can't Jump, The Water boy, Happy Gilmore, The Mighty Ducks or my absolute favorite Cool Runnings. It seems I cannot get enough of a good comedy about sports.

In 1975 a low budget sports comedy was produced World's Greatest Kicker or also known as "Return to Campus". Now Almost 50 years after this film's release VCI Entertainment have released this film on DVD.

A 55-year-old retired millionaire returns to college to complete his senior year, which was halted due to World War II, where he was a star place-kicker. When the local high football coach recruits him to help coach the place-kickers, a spark of desire for the game of football returns. Much to the dismay of his son, who is a reserve player on the same college team! To add to the mix, the 55-year-old college student ends up in a romance triangle of sorts, and all kinds of things happen. The real-kick is the ending - which shocks the football world as well as the world of the elderly football player!

Now from what I read Director Harold Cornsweet was a football kicker, but he had to fight in WWII. When he returned home to the United States, he jumped into the workforce, but always thought what if? This film is his what if moment, come to life. Even if he is not living it! 

Disney in the 60s and 70s was really good as doing off the wall comedy sports films such as Gus, The World's Greatest Athlete, The Horse in the Grey Flannel Suit and The Strongest Man in the World. The World's Greatest Kicker has a real 70s Disney feel to it. The only thing that differentiates this film from the Disney films is about 3 times in this film and overdub of an expletive is used. I'm not sure why that was put in there. Was it to make this film feel edgy? For me it felt forced, weird and just unnecessary.

Now it is pretty apparent this is a low budget film, and the story is a bit thin. But I still had fun check this film out! While the acting isn't spectacular, I have seen worse, much worse. You are bound to see the worst of the worst when you watch as much films as I do. And this is far from it!

VCI Entertainment has transferred this film to DVD in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The audio track is a Dolby Digital 2.0. This film was made on a tight budget almost 50 years ago and the video quality may not be pristine. But for a 50-year-old low budget film. I am not complaining how it looks.

There are only two complaints I have with this release. #1 it is a burned DVD disc and not a pressed one. Pressed discs have a longer shelf life. And there is no DVD menu on this disc. The movie just plays and at the end stops. Not for some people that is not a huge deal. And it's not a huge deal to me either. But I to load the disc in the player have the menu there pop some popcorn, get some snacks than come in and press play. Again not a major deal, but it is something I prefer.

World's Greatest Kicker is far from the greatest sport comedies, but it it not the worst either. Yes, I am looking at you, Snowboard Academy (and I love Jim Varney), MVP: Most Extreme Primate, Caddy Shack II, Juwanna Man and Who's Your Caddy?

But if you are looking for a low budget sports comedy, not the greatest story, but a fun little film to have laugh at the antics, you could do worse than The World's Greatest Kicker. Head over to Amazon or MVD Shop and order your copy today.


Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) The World's Greatest Kicker DVD receives.....