The Champions Now Streaming On Hulu

Need something to stream on Netflix, Amazon or Hulu? ReaLifeSTL has a new suggestion for you each Friday. This week, we suggest you check out the documentary The Champions on Netflix. The documentary tells the stories of the pit bulls rescued from the fighting ring run by NFL quarterback Michael Vick when he was with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Champions is co-produced by St. Louis Blues forward David Backes and his wife and features an interview with Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle. Buehrle and his wife talk at length in the film about the troubles their family has faced due to breed specific legislation targeting pit bulls.

David Backes and his wife own pit bulls themselves and started the Athletes For Animals non-profit organization.

This documentary premiered locally at The 2015 Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival with a screening sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society. Other theater screenings of the film have happened across the country, each sponsored by local animal rescue groups. I was lucky enough to see a screening in Columbia, MO sponsored by Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue.

I may be a bit biased with three of the dogs in the house, but I found the documentary to be excellent. It expertly shows the horror that these dogs faced while trapped by Vick and his cohorts, the troubles they face now and the sheer joy they bring to those around them. If you don’t become attached to the likes of Cherry, Little Red, Handsome Dan and the other dogs, well then, you probably don’t have a heart.

Variety wrote a glowing review of The Champions and director Darcy Dennett’s overall work on the film, back in February. Blogcritics gave the film four out of four stars and called it an excellent case study in the power of hope, patience and courage.”

Watch the trailer for the documentary below and see if it changes your views on dogs commonly labeled as “pit bulls.”

The Champions now streaming on Netflix

 

Previous What To Stream Picks From RealLifeSTL

Spanish Lake	I Am Big Bird
Fuller House	House of Cards
Saved By The Bell	The Returned
11.22.63	The Ranch
Love	Mad Dogs
The 100	Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 2
The Path	Team Foxcatcher
Deadbeat

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