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The story of the “Miracle on Ice” is about to be told like never before.
Netflix on Friday will release its documentary, “Miracle: The Boys of ’80,” featuring never-before-seen footage of the U.S. team as they prepared to take on the vaunted Soviets on their way to a quest for gold that seemed unimaginable at first.
“This is one of those indelible moments, indelible stories that it feels like if you could relive it 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 Pak Gazette Digital.
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General view of Team USA players celebrating on the ice after winning their medal round game against the USSR at the Olympic Fieldhouse at the Olympic Center. Miracle on ice. The scene occurred in Lake Placid, New York, on February 22, 1980. (Eric Schweikardt/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
It’s not called “Miracle on Ice” for no reason. But Gershberg and fellow co-director Jake Rogal knew it was important to tap into 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 global tensions soaring, and the directors want everyone to remember that.
“I don’t think it’s meant to be overtly political, but I think there’s real power in a moment like this that was so consequential and unifying for a country. Whether you’re a hockey fan or not, whoever you are, whatever your background, whatever region of the country you come from, this was a moment where the country was really oppressed, and they needed something, and I think there’s real power in that,” Gershberg said.
“It’s really important, especially for the younger generations who don’t know the story very well. They need to understand that,” added Rogal, who also directed Netflix’s “The Last Dance” and, with Gershberg, “Court of Gold.” “But now it’s rare that you have a time where you can come together. So I think it’s hard for people who are probably 20 or younger to understand what that feels like because of social media and everyone seeing things at different times.
Mike Eruzione participates in a puck drop ceremony before the start of a game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena commemorating the 40th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” on February 22, 2020. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports)
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“Back then, this was a moment that everyone was watching. Everyone was coming together. So I think it’s important to show people what that was like and what it’s like to come together and have that moment. Knowing where America was at that time, it’s important to understand that it needed this moment. This moment was important to everyone, whether you worked in construction or finance, this was something that everyone was coming together around. And I think it’s important to understand where the country was to emphasize that point.”
Gershberg and Rogal noted that too often today, Americans come together after a tragedy. But February 22, 1980 was a moment when Americans came together to celebrate an achievement.
“Certainly today, we’re not immune to disagreeing about anything and feeling some discord in our society. So I think it’s fun and encouraging 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 details about who these guys were. They were guys back then playing against this powerful, invincible Soviet team. And hopefully, whether you know this story or not, it will enliven it in an exciting way for you.”
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, it doesn’t really happen anymore. Something good happens and people just tear it down. And I think seeing that there was a time when something good happened and everyone was excited about it, and that’s it. There was no digging up people’s Twitter history or looking at who said what in the past. It was like something cool happened and it meant a lot to us, and we all felt it. I think it’s cool to see it again because it doesn’t happen anymore,” Rogal said.
“And I think that makes it pretty special.”
