For years, the passion they shared for winning made Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird the most bitter of rivals. Narrated by Liev Schreiber, Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals chronicles the fierce competition between Boston Celtics great Larry Bird and Los Angeles Lakers immortal Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Beyond the game, the documentary provides insight into the lives of both athletes and what made them who they are – intensively competitive athletes who reinvigorated the NBA and lead the league to the highest-rated NCAA final. Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals arrives on DVD on September 28th, 2010 for the suggested retail price of $19.98.
The special traces the history of the antagonism between Johnson and Bird, which began 30 years ago when they led their midwest universities to the 1979 NCAA Championship game. Through a decade of dominance, the two won three NBA MVP awards apiece and a combined eight NBA titles. It also examines the different cultures that helped shape them and contributed to their unique styles, as well as exploring their unlikely friendship.
Though sharing Midwestern roots and following the same team-oriented philosophy, the introverted Bird (from the small town of French Lick, IN.) and the extroverted Johnson (from the industrial state capital of Lansing, MI.) couldn’t be more different in personality. The two superstars talk about each other at length in the film and provide intimate insights into their remarkable lives.
Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals’ high-profile list of interviewees also includes: Hall of Famer Pat Riley, who coached Johnson on the great Lakers teams of the 1980s; teammates Kevin McHale, Cedric Maxwell and Michael Cooper; George Fox, Johnson’s high school coach; siblings Evelyn Johnson and Mark Bird; entertainer Arsenio Hall; former CBS Sports executive Ted Shaker; and sports journalists Bryant Gumbel, Jackie MacMullan, Charles Pierce and Steve Springer.
The executive producers of Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; produced by Ezra Edelman; edited by Charlie Olivier; music composed by Gary Lionelli; narrated by Liev Schreiber.
