Team Foxcatcher

Watch Team Foxcatcher

"An Olympic hero. A delusional benefactor. At the intersection of ambition and paranoia lies tragedy."
  • TV-14
  • 2016
  • 1 hr 31 min
  • 7.2  (7,117)

Team Foxcatcher is a chilling documentary film directed by Jon Greenhalgh that explores the tragic events surrounding the 1996 murder of Olympic wrestling champion Dave Schultz by wealthy philanthropist and wrestling enthusiast John du Pont. The film combines archival footage, interviews with family members and former wrestlers, and dramatic reenactments to provide a detailed account of du Pont's peculiar personality and his failed attempts to build a successful wrestling team on his Foxcatcher estate in Pennsylvania.

The film begins by introducing du Pont as a man from a wealthy family with a passion for amateur wrestling. The son of chemical company heir John E. du Pont, he grew up with little love from his parents and found solace in wrestling. After studying the sport in college and making several unsuccessful attempts to become an Olympic wrestler himself, du Pont decided to use his wealth to promote the sport and create a world-class team.

In the late 1980s, du Pont purchased the Foxcatcher estate, a sprawling property in Pennsylvania, and turned it into a training facility for wrestlers. The estate included an indoor wrestling facility, dormitories, and a sprawling horse farm. Du Pont recruited some of the best wrestlers from around the country, including Dave Schultz and his brother Mark, who was a gold medalist at the 1984 Olympic Games.

The film then turns to the relationship between du Pont and the Schultz brothers. Dave, in particular, took a liking to du Pont, who showered him with attention and gifts, including a new car and a house on the estate. Du Pont also became a major benefactor to USA Wrestling, the governing body of the sport, and used his influence to promote himself and his team.

Despite initial successes and a few impressive victories, du Pont's team was never as successful as he hoped it would be. He became increasingly paranoid and erratic, alienating many of his wrestlers and coaches. He was also addicted to drugs and frequently acted bizarrely, engaging in gunplay and making grandiose claims about his own importance in the world of wrestling.

The film then takes a dark turn, as it depicts the events leading up to Dave Schultz's murder. According to witnesses, du Pont became increasingly obsessed with Dave and accused him of conspiring against him. Du Pont began to believe that Dave was stealing from him, and even began to hear voices that told him to take action against him.

On January 26, 1996, du Pont shot and killed Dave Schultz outside his home on the Foxcatcher estate. Mark, who was also living on the estate at the time, witnessed the murder and was able to escape and call for help. Du Pont was eventually arrested and charged with murder, but was found guilty by reason of insanity and sentenced to a mental institution, where he died in 2010.

Team Foxcatcher is a haunting and disturbing documentary that delves deep into the mind of a troubled man and the tragic consequences of his obsessions. The film is both a poignant tribute to the life of Dave Schultz and a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and privilege. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the world of amateur wrestling or true crime.

Team Foxcatcher is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.

Team Foxcatcher
Description
Where to Watch Team Foxcatcher
Team Foxcatcher is available to watch, stream, download and on demand at Netflix. Some platforms allow you to rent Team Foxcatcher for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2016
  • MPAA Rating
    TV-14
  • Runtime
    1 hr 31 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.2  (7,117)