Released: 2008

Directors: Liam Nolan and Ross Whitaker

Tagline: Fighting for a better life.

The plot: Hailed among the best sports documentaries to come out of Ireland in recent years, Saviours takes us into the heart of one of Dublin’s toughest neighbourhoods and behind the scenes of the celebrated St Saviour’s Olympic Boxing Academy.

The film follows the lives three young boxers — Darren Sutherland, Olympic medallist before his death in 2009, Dean Murphy and Abdul Hussein. Shot over an 18-month period, it charts their struggle to overcome difficulties outside the ring as they fight for glory between the ropes.

A hard-hitting look at amateur boxing in Ireland, a sporting institution, and the people who make it such a special place.

What the critics said: “Packs as much punch as Champ, Raging Bull and all the Rocky films put together” (The Irish Times)

YouTube Credit: EclipsePic