The making of Slap shot
Jonathon Jackson
2010
How a movie about minor league hockey became a box office hit—and an international cult classic Even thirty-odd years after Slap Shot's release, diehard hockey fans can still recite scenes of dialogue by heart, making lines like "putting on the foil" just common argot for the devoted. Yet many may be surprised to learn that the true story behind the making of the film is as captivating as the film itself. In The Making of Slap Shot, veteran sports writer Jonathon Jackson lets fans not only relive just how the film was made, but brings to light a number of little-known facts about the genesis and production of this sports classic. With access to those involved in the making of the film, the author brings to life some of the magic behind the creation of memorable scenes and characters, especially the Charlestown Chiefs, one of the most popular fictional sports teams in history. Based on interviews with over 50 cast members, production staff, and anyone of note involved in the film's creation Details little known facts (including how Al Pacino was the first choice for the role of Reggie Dunlop) and how almost every scene—even the absurd and unbelievable ones—depicts a real life event Jackson is a veteran journalist whose work has appeared in The Hockey News, the Montreal Gazette, the Ottawa Citizen and many other publications Destined to be a collectible and keepsake (along with the jerseys, bobbleheads, and other paraphernalia associated with the film), The Making of Slap Shot is a must for fans eager to learn the colourful backstory of this surprising film classic.