Pelé
An archival portrait of Pelé’s meteoric rise from teenage football prodigy to Brazil’s defining sporting hero during a turbulent national era.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- celebratory
- reflective
- inspirational
- sports documentary night
- football fans gathering
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a polished, well-intentioned, accessible biography whose historical context and archival portrait are effective but not especially revelatory.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Pelé's rise from 1958 superstar to 1970 national hero is connected to Brazil's turbulent political and cultural era.
The film looks back across Pelé's decisive twelve-year period using his story and accounts from notable Brazilian figures.
Pelé's three World Cup victories and transformation into a national symbol are set against a radical, turbulent Brazil.
The documentary treats football success as inseparable from Brazil's broader historical turbulence during 1958-1970.
Films like Pelé, and why
Diego Maradona
sports biography documentary centered on an iconic footballer and national identity
Senna
archival sports documentary examining a legendary athlete within political and cultural upheaval
Ronaldo
portrait of a globally influential football star shaped by fame, competition, and public mythology
Movie Details
- Directors
- David Tryhorn, Ben Nicholas
- Release Date
- 2021-02-23
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (218)
Cast
- Pelé
- Zagallo
- Gilberto Gil
- Benedita da Silva
- Fernando Henrique Cardoso
- Amarildo
- Rivelino
- Robert F. Kennedy
- Muhammad Ali
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Pelé about?
- An archival portrait of Pelé’s meteoric rise from teenage football prodigy to Brazil’s defining sporting hero during a turbulent national era.
- What is Pelé like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Pelé as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Pelé violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Pelé.
- What did critics think of Pelé?
- Critics broadly regard it as a polished, well-intentioned, accessible biography whose historical context and archival portrait are effective but not especially revelatory.
- Which films are like Pelé?
- Films with a similar feel include Diego Maradona, Senna, and Ronaldo.
- How long is Pelé?
- Pelé runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch Pelé?
- In United States, Pelé streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
