EXCLUSIVE: Peter Schmeichel is a goalkeeping great and here is the first teaser clip from the documentary about Danish soccer star’s life.
“Is Peter Schmeichel like God in Denmark?” asks the voiceover as footage plays of Schmeichel raising the European Championship trophy in front of thousands of flag-waving Danish fans.
Schmeichel is a two-part doc and an original for European streamer SkyShowtime, a joint venture between Comcast and Paramount Global. It delves into his trophy-laden 22-year football career and life beyond the sport.
There is never-seen-before personal archive alongside interviews with Schmeichel and family. Talking heads include former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, famous for dishing out the ‘hairdryer’ treatment, a fearsome dressing down of underperforming players. There are also contributions from French footballer, philosopher and sometimes actor Eric Cantona, and player-turned-pundit Gary Neville.
Schmeichel is in any conversation about the best goalkeepers of all time. The shot-stopper was a cornerstone of the all-conquering Manchester United side built by Ferguson. For the Danish national team, he played a key role in a sensational underdog victory at the 1992 UEFA European Championship.
Schmeichel is directed by Owen Davies and produced by Simon Lazenby and Victoria Barrell from Sylver Entertainment, with Dogwoof as Exec Producers. The team behind the doc said it is not just a story about a sports icon and his success, but also a family story of triumphs, setbacks, and redemption.
“As a goalkeeper I never looked back, my life was always about the next game, the next challenge, always moving forward,” Schmeichel said. “These days that sense of feeling has faded.
“It’s been an extraordinary life and to look back with my family, to reflect on what I achieved and hear from those who achieved it with me, is a privilege. My life has been about more than just football and this film is a testament to that. My family, all that I achieved, who I was and who I am.”
SkyShowtime is carried in over 20 European territories. The service has series and movies from its owners, including all theatrical releases from Paramount and Universal, and dramas including Yellowstone. It adds to these with locally originated projects such as Schmeichel.
“With this great documentary we are complementing our amazing line-up of original programming, blockbuster films and exclusives series,” said Kai Finke, Chief Content Officer at SkyShowtime. “Peter Schmeichel is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, and I think anyone that watches this highly entertaining documentary and has a passion for sports, will be inspired by his story.”
