Watch Adidas Vs. Puma: The Brother's Feud

Adidas vs. Puma: The Brother's Feud is a historical drama, directed by Oliver Dommenget, which portrays the real-life story of two brothers Rudolf and Adi Dassler, who founded Adidas and Puma respectively, and their bitter feud that lasted for decades. The movie, set in the post-World War II era in Germany, showcases the rise of these two legendary sports brands and their intense rivalry that had a significant impact on the German business world.

The story begins in the 1920s, when the two brothers are passionate and creative shoemakers, making their own shoes in the backyard of their mother's house. They both work together and share a deep bond, which slowly dissolves as they start their businesses. Rudolf, the elder one, names his company Puma, while Adi names his Adidas, derived from his name "Adolf" and nickname "Adi". What starts as a friendly competition, gradually turns into a hostile one as their business interests become personal, and the brothers find themselves on opposite sides of the industry.

As the movie progresses, we see the brothers compete fiercely in the athletic shoe market, with both brands becoming increasingly popular worldwide. However, events take a turn for the worse when Rudolf's relationship with the Nazi party drives a wedge between him and Adi. Tensions increase and the brothers' rivalry intensifies to the point that they refuse to speak to or acknowledge one another. Their feud becomes the talk of the town, with the people of their hometown taking sides and gossiping about what went wrong between the once-affectionate siblings.

The movie does an excellent job of portraying how the feud between the brothers affected not just their personal lives but also their businesses, with each trying to outdo the other. The constant back and forth between Puma and Adidas sees them both invest massive sums into their respective companies, including the signing of celebrity athletes and the development of sophisticated technology for their shoes. By the 1960s, both brands are huge, with Puma having the upper hand in the market, and Adidas falling behind.

The movie does well to showcase how the feud would have lasting impacts on the sisters of the brothers, particularly Isi Dassler, who was Rudolf's daughter. She finds herself caught in the middle of the feud between her father and uncle, and at one point, tries to reconcile them. Isi's character adds a poignant touch to the movie by showing how family feuds can have far-reaching consequences.

The performances in the movie are excellent, with Ken Duken and Torben Liebrecht portraying Rudolf and Adi Dassler, respectively. Their on-screen chemistry is impressive, especially when the brothers are working together in the early stages of their careers. As the story progresses, they both do an excellent job of portraying the growing bitterness and resentment between the two brothers. We also see some incredible performances from the supporting cast, particularly from Kostja Ullmann, who plays Armin Dassler, Adi's son.

Overall, Adidas vs. Puma: The Brother's Feud is a well-crafted historical drama that showcases the rise of two of the world's most significant sports brands and the unfortunate personal rift that led to their separation. The attention to detail in the movie is remarkable, with everything from the set design to the costumes expertly crafted. It is a gripping movie that leaves you wanting more, with its powerful performances and engaging storyline. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in sports or business history.

Adidas Vs. Puma: The Brother's Feud is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes.