Amazon Prime released a new five-episode sports documentary series highlighting historic game sevens in modern American sports history. So, you know the 1994 New York Rangers must included, right?
The five episodes of “Game 7” available to Amazon Prime subscribers include: 2003 ALCS – New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox, 1987 Stanley Cup Final – Edmonton Oilers vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 2006 WCSF – Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs, 2016 World Series – Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians, 1994 Stanley Cup Final – New York Rangers vs. Vancouver Canucks.
There’s your Rangers connection.
As described by the press release- “GAME 7 brings the two greatest words in sports to life in a new five-part anthology series. With first-hand accounts from both the winning and losing athletes who participated in these high-stakes showdowns, each episode goes behind the scenes to revisit the most iconic moments of the most memorable games in history. From the Chicago Cubs’ drought-shattering 2016 World Series victory to the New York Ranger’s win in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals, the series will explore how this quintessential test of maximum pressure and extreme intensity weighs on the hearts and minds of the legendary stars at the center of them.”
Although Rangers fans have enjoyed “No Easy Victories” on E60, “Road To Victory” by MSG Network, and “June 17th, 1994” by ESPN 30 For 30, this piece brings new perspectives and a different narrative arch about the historical subject matter of that incredible 1994 postseason.
Related: Former Rangers goalie believes he could’ve led them to Stanley Cup in 1994 like Mike Richter
Breaking down New York Rangers episode in new Amazon Prime series
The structure
The Rangers episode is nonlinear. Mark Messier’s life is briefly overviewed from his childhood onward with ample photos and videos to supplement the years before he became a hockey icon. It also touches upon the lead-up from the 1991-92 season.
But the heart of the documentary begins five hours before the puck drop in Game 7, highlighting Rangers fans with newsreels, TV shows, and radio clips talking about the Stanley Cup.
This episode summarizes the 1993-94 New York Rangers regular season and playoffs in quick fashion. The 53-minute program focuses mainly on Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Final as its centerpiece.
New, clean footage
A score of never-before-seen footage will entertain die-hards and new fans alike. The film has really clear images and videos of on-ice action, not just broadcast video, including practice footage of the Canucks and Rangers before Game 7.
Audio, visual, and narration cuts are dramatic. Each word has a coordinated visual to pack the punch. There are also brief mic ’d-up shots from the game of Ranger players and coach Mike Keenan.
Both Gary Thorne and Sam Rosen broadcast audio is used to provide lyrics to the piece. A rotating sky cam, on-ice cameras, and sharp shots of cameras trained on specific players complement the broadcast footage.
Brief but sharp footage of the 1940 championship win is a nice addition. The 1994 game-play visuals are smooth, and very clean without blur or pixelation. It’s an impressive display of tape captured from 31 years ago.
Messier is an executive producer of this docuseries, along with well-known actor Danny Devito.
Candid bond between Mark Messier and Brian Leetch on display
Keenan, Rosen, John McEnroe, Trevor Linden and Adam Graves add their perspectives. Keenan is subdued and gives a lot of credit to Messier.
Brian Leetch is also an interview subject, featured with Messier walking through Madison Square Garden recently They speak with one another rather than the director Daniel Amigan, reminiscing and shedding light on their relationship, the team, and bits of fun facts not discussed previously.
This is a highlight for any Rangers fan, being brought inside that 1994 championship by Messier and Leetch.
If you think you’ve seen or heard it all when it some to the 1994 New York Rangers, this documentary proves otherwise. And who can resist another peek back to 1994, the only Stanley Cup championship in 84 years for the Rangers?
GAME 7 is produced by Words + Pictures and directed by Daniel Amigone. GAME 7 is executive produced by Connor Schell (co-creator of 30 for 30, executive producer of Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story and The Last Dance), Aaron Cohen, and Anneka Jones of Words + Pictures; six-time Stanley Cup winner Mark Messier, Mat Vlasic, and Isaac Chera of GAME 7; and Danny DeVito, Jake DeVito, and Lucy DeVito of Jersey Films 2nd Avenue.
