I was only eight years old at the time but I still have vivid memories of the 1990 World Cup in Italy. One Night in Turin attempts to not only capture the tournament itself but also England’s turbulent political and economic landscape, the destructive influence of the red top press and the unsavoury hooligan epidemic that blighted football in this country during the period. Unfortunately, whilst it has higher ambitions it rarely succeeds in providing a wider context to the events off the pitch.

It doesn’t help that the tone is so melodramatic whether it be Gary Oldman’s affected narration or the intrusive and disruptive editing. In fact the editing during the on field action is so bad that the football is hard to follow and it kills most of the drama and spectacle. Naturally the film elevates Bobby Robson and Gazza to the status of national heroes whilst demonising the press. Although justified to a point some semblance of balance wouldn’t have gone amiss. The period musical choices are predictably great but it is disappointing the film neither captures the power of the beautiful game or comprehensively investigates the wider issues of the late ‘80s in Britain.