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Catholics vs. Convicts

Name: Catholics vs. Convicts
Director: Patrick Creadon
Released: 2016
Duration: 102 min

Representation Score

2.7/10

Limited

2016

TV-G

Director

Patrick Creadon

Runtime

102 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This documentary serves as a traditional sports chronicle, emphasizing historical preservation and athletic achievement. It centers on the 1988 rivalry between Notre Dame and the University of Miami, highlighting the clash of institutional identities. The narrative structure is designed to celebrate a specific cultural moment in American sports history. Consequently, it does not aim to challenge systemic structures or explore multiple aspects of identity. By adhering to the established frameworks of 1980s collegiate football, the film lacks representation of diverse social identities, focusing instead on the personalities of coaches and players.

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Category Breakdown

Does Catholics vs. Convicts have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The documentary focuses on a collegiate football rivalry and does not feature any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. The narrative does not address assumptions about everyone being straight or cisgender.

How does Catholics vs. Convicts portray gender?

Fair

The film focuses almost exclusively on male protagonists such as Lou Holtz and Jimmy Johnson. It centers on a 1980s football environment that lacks challenges to traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Catholics vs. Convicts?

Fair

The narrative emphasizes the rivalry between institutions and the 'tradition vs. swagger' theme. While the teams' rosters may have reflected 1988 demographics, the film focuses more on institutional identity than racial diversity.

How does Catholics vs. Convicts represent religion and culture?

Limited

Tension is built on the contrast between religious tradition and an 'outlaw' culture. The film celebrates a specific historical moment within an established American collegiate framework.

Does Catholics vs. Convicts include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of subjects dealing with physical, neurodivergent, or mental health conditions. The narrative does not include any disability-related storylines.

Present on Screen

Provides a detailed historical account of a significant collegiate football rivalry.
Captures the cultural tension between religious tradition and athletic swagger.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender narratives.
Focuses heavily on male protagonists, offering little gender diversity.
Does not explore multiple aspects of identity or disrupt conventional social hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

On October 15, 1988, Notre Dame hosted the University of Miami in what would become one of the greatest games in college football history. It was tradition vs. swagger, the No. 4-ranked Fighting Irish versus the No. 1-ranked Hurricanes, one coaching star, Lou Holtz, versus another, Jimmy Johnson. But the name still attached to the contest came from a t-shirt manufactured by a few Notre Dame students: “Catholics vs. Convicts.” As compelling as the tale of Notre Dame’s dramatic victory is—even losing quarterback Steve Walsh calls it “a helluva ballgame”—the backstory is just as riveting.

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