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'85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

'85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 130 min · English
Directed by
Scott Prestin
Starring
Bill Murray, Jeremy Piven, Barack Obama, Jesse Jackson, Dan Hampton, Jim McMahon

This is the story of the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears, a team that became a cultural phenomenon. Follow their journey as they dominate the NFL, led by iconic players like Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, and William "The Refrigerator" Perry, under the leadership of Coach Mike Ditka. Witness their electrifying performances and unforgettable personalities that captivated fans and cemented their place in football history as one of the greatest teams ever assembled.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History (2017)

Where can you watch '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on fuboTV, Fawesome and The CW: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

'85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Mike Ditka

    Mike Ditka serves as the outspoken and tough-minded head coach of the Chicago Bears. His strict coaching style and no-nonsense attitude instilled a winning mentality in the team. Ditka's desire to reclaim his glory with the Bears is a driving force behind the team's success.

    • 🏈 Coach
    • 💪 Leadership
  • Jim McMahon

    Jim McMahon is portrayed as a rebellious and free-spirited quarterback known for his unique style. Despite his unconventional methods, he proved to be a strategic leader on and off the field. McMahon's confidence and determination were pivotal in shifting the Bears' fortunes.

    • 🏈 Quarterback
    • 🎸 Rebel
  • Walter Payton

    Walter Payton is celebrated as the legendary running back of the Chicago Bears, known for his exceptional talent and humble demeanor. Payton's dedication and skill made him a prominent figure in the team's history. His pursuit of a Super Bowl victory became symbolic of the aspirations of the Bears and their fans.

    • 🏈 Legend
    • 🏃‍♂️ Talent
  • Buddy Ryan

    Buddy Ryan is depicted as the fiery defensive coordinator whose innovative strategies revolutionized the Bears' defense. His fatherly approach to coaching and intense passion for the game shaped the team's defensive identity. Ryan's impact is shown through the emotional bonds he created with the players.

    • 🏈 Coordinator
    • 🔥 Passion

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:46

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Setting

Where and When Does '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History Take Place?

The setting of '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1980s

The film covers the 1980s, a transformative decade for the Chicago Bears and the NFL. This period saw significant changes in the team dynamics, coaching strategies, and the introduction of iconic players who would shape the future of football. The decade is marked by the Bears' rise from obscurity to prominence, culminating in their 1985 Super Bowl victory.

Location

Chicago, New Orleans

The movie is set primarily in Chicago, a city known for its passionate sports culture and fanatical support for the Bears. It also features New Orleans, the backdrop for the Super Bowl where the Chicago Bears celebrated their victory. Both cities play a significant role in showcasing the journey of the Bears and their interactions with fans.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🎉 Celebration

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:46

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3 major themes

'85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Triumph

    The theme of triumph is central to the film, showcasing the Chicago Bears' journey from perennial underdogs to Super Bowl champions. It encapsulates the power of perseverance and teamwork in the face of adversity. The victory not only brought glory to the team but also united a city longing for success.

  • Community

    Community plays a vital role in the narrative, highlighting how the Chicago Bears brought together people from diverse backgrounds. The joy of their victory was shared by fans throughout the city, showing how sports can foster a sense of belonging and collective pride. The film emphasizes the impact of the team's success on the local culture.

  • Conflict

    Conflict is portrayed in the dynamics between the coaching staff and players, particularly between Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan. These tensions reflect the struggles inherent in high-stakes sports environments. The film illustrates how overcoming internal conflicts is crucial for achieving collective success.

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:46

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Character & theme questions

'85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the 1985 Chicago Bears documentary set?

The film is set primarily in Chicago, Illinois, where the Bears are based and where their passionate fanbase fuels the team's identity. It also features New Orleans, the location of Super Bowl XX where the Bears clinched their championship victory.

  • chicago
  • new orleans
  • super bowl
  • settings
  • locations
Q2

What time period does the film cover?

The documentary covers the 1980s, a transformative decade for the Chicago Bears and the NFL. This era marks the team's rise from underdogs to champions, culminating in their dominant 1985 season and Super Bowl victory.

  • 1980s
  • decade
  • era
  • nfl history
  • 1985 season
Q3

What does the triumph theme represent in the film?

The triumph theme showcases the Bears' journey from perennial underdogs to Super Bowl champions. It highlights perseverance and teamwork against adversity, capturing how their victory united a city desperate for sports success and transformed the team into a cultural phenomenon.

  • triumph
  • victory
  • champions
  • underdogs
  • perseverance
Q4

How does the community theme appear in the movie?

The community theme illustrates how the Chicago Bears brought together people from diverse backgrounds. Their success fostered a shared sense of pride and belonging among fans throughout Chicago, demonstrating how sports can unite a city and create lasting cultural bonds.

  • community
  • fans
  • chicago
  • unity
  • city pride
Q5

What role does conflict play between Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan?

Conflict between head coach Mike Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan is a central theme, reflecting the tensions in high-stakes professional sports. Their differing approaches and intense rivalry illustrate the internal struggles teams must overcome to achieve collective success.

  • mike ditka
  • buddy ryan
  • conflict
  • coaching
  • tension
Q6

Who is Mike Ditka in the 1985 Chicago Bears story?

Mike Ditka serves as the head coach of the Chicago Bears, known for his tough, no-nonsense leadership style. His determination to reclaim glory with the Bears drove the team's winning mentality and was instrumental in transforming the franchise into a championship contender.

  • mike ditka
  • coach
  • head coach
  • leadership
  • coaching style
Q7

What is Jim McMahon's significance to the team?

Jim McMahon was the quarterback for the Chicago Bears, known for his rebellious spirit and unconventional playing style. Despite his relaxed demeanor, he proved to be a strategic leader whose confidence and determination were pivotal in shifting the Bears' fortunes toward championship success.

  • jim mcmahon
  • quarterback
  • qb
  • leader
  • playing style
Q8

Why is Walter Payton important to the Chicago Bears?

Walter Payton was the legendary running back whose exceptional talent and humble demeanor made him a cornerstone of the Bears' identity. His relentless pursuit of a Super Bowl victory symbolized the team's aspirations and created a lasting legacy that transcended football.

  • walter payton
  • running back
  • legacy
  • chicago bears legend
  • talent
Q9

What was Buddy Ryan's role with the 1985 Bears?

Buddy Ryan served as the defensive coordinator, known for his fiery passion and innovative strategies that revolutionized the Bears' defense. His fatherly approach to coaching created strong emotional bonds with players and shaped the team's defensive identity.

  • buddy ryan
  • defensive coordinator
  • defense
  • strategies
  • coaching
Q10

What makes the 1985 Chicago Bears historically significant?

The 1985 Chicago Bears are considered one of the greatest teams in NFL history due to their dominant 15-1 season, innovative defense, and cultural impact that extended beyond football. Their Super Bowl XX victory and memorable personalities cemented their place in sports history.

  • 1985 bears
  • greatest team
  • nfl history
  • super bowl
  • legacy

Movie threads

More Movies Like '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about bittersweet legacies like '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History

Celebrating monumental achievements tinged with the poignant knowledge of what comes after. If you liked the mix of triumph and reflection in '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History, discover more movies like it. This section features similar stories of historical achievements, cultural phenomena, and dominant teams where the celebration is intertwined with a poignant look at legacy and the passage of time.

  • triumphant
  • bittersweet
  • nostalgic
  • reflective
  • celebratory
  • regretful
  • Tone: triumphant, bittersweet, reflective
  • Pacing: fast build, reflective conclusion
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a rise-to-glory structure, building towards a defining victory or achievement. The narrative then extends beyond the climax to examine the aftermath, exploring themes of legacy, regret, and the challenges of sustaining success, resulting in an emotionally layered experience.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a specific emotional mix: the high of a major victory is balanced by a reflective, often bittersweet, perspective on the event's long-term impact. They resonate with viewers who appreciate stories that are both celebratory and thoughtfully somber.

High-energy team dynamics like in '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History

High-energy stories about a group of unique individuals coming together to achieve the impossible. Find movies similar to '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History that capture the thrill of a dominant team's journey. If you enjoyed the fast-paced action, iconic personalities, and intense focus on teamwork and rivalry leading to a championship, you'll find more compelling stories here.

  • determined
  • triumphant
  • celebratory
  • intense
  • focused
  • teamwork
  • Tone: hopeful, determined, celebratory
  • Pacing: fast, propulsive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows a group of distinct individuals uniting for a common goal. It highlights their unique contributions, the dynamics of teamwork and rivalry, and the sequential overcoming of obstacles leading to a decisive, crowning victory against formidable odds.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared high-intensity, fast-paced energy and their central focus on the 'unstoppable team' archetype. They deliver a similar viewing experience of exhilaration and immersion in a group's triumphant, personality-driven campaign.

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Movies Like '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History

Similar movies to '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

'85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about '85: The Greatest Team in Pro Football History in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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