A Mark Rylance sports dramedy inspired by the true story of a man dubbed “the world’s worst golfer” is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Directed by Submarine star Craig Roberts, The Phantom of the Open stars Rylance as amateur golfer Maurice Flitcroft, who sneaks his way into the 1976 Open Championship claiming he’s a professional.
Written by Simon Farnaby, the film also stars Sally Hawkins — who reunites with Roberts after starring together in Submarine — as Maurice’s wife Jean and Rhys Ifans as Keith Mackenzie.
Based on the biography The Phantom of the Open: Maurice Flitcroft, The World’s Worst Golfer by Farnaby and Scott Murray, the movie premiered in 2021 at the BFI London Film Festival.
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It is Roberts’ third directorial offering after 2015 comedy horror, Just Jim, and 2019 drama Eternal Beauty, again starring Sally Hawkins.
The filmmaker returns behind the camera for upcoming horror The Scurry, starring Ella Purnell and Rhys Ifans and centred on a “horde of deranged squirrels” on a revenge mission.
Who stars in The Phantom of the Open?Mark Rylance as Maurice FlitcroftSally Hawkins as Jean FlitcroftRhys Ifans as Keith MackenzieJake Davies as Michael FlitcroftChristian Lees as Gene FlitcroftJonah Lees as James FlitcroftMark Lewis Jones as CliffJohann Myers as WillieNigel Betts as Tony MarshSteve Oram as Gerald HopkinsTim Steed as John PeggSimon Farnaby as LambertWhat did critics say about The Phantom of the Open?
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Roberts’ film received positive reviews and currently holds a Certified Fresh badge on aggregator Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 86% from 139 reviews.
Salon.com called the story the film is based on “incredible”, arguing that The Phantom of the Open is “as appealing as Maurice Flitcroft”.
“It is impossible not to be inspired by his incredible story,” their review reads.
Ireland’s Sunday Independent praised Rylance’s performance, noting the actor portrays Flitcroft “as an audacious yet amiable chancer with a heart of gold”.
“And you know what? This irresistible biopic deserves everything good that comes its way,” they continued.
The Observer called the film “equal parts compelling and endearing”, while The Hollywood Reporter branded it a “mostly winning charmer”.
Finally, The New York Times found The Phantom of the Open the kind of “good-hearted” film that legendary director Frank Capra “would have liked to have taken a swing at”.
Where can I watch The Phantom of the Open?
The Phantom of the Open is currently streaming on BBC iPlayer. It’s also available to rent and buy from a number of digital platforms, including Apple TV and Prime Video.
Other Mark Rylance movies you can stream right now
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An antidote to The Phantom of the Open’s occasional twee is Luca Guadagnino’s hyper-graphic cannibal romance Bones and All, starring Rylance in a role that’s miles away from Flitcroft.
Another Rylance’s film based on a real-life story is Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7, currently available on Netflix.
The legal drama rounds up a stacked cast to retell the story of the seven anti-Vietnam War protesters who were charged with conspiracy and inciting riots in 1968. Rylance plays defence lawyer and civil rights activist, William Kunstler, opposite Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Eddie Redmayne, Michael Keaton, and more.
Arguably one of Rylance’s best performances, Bridge of Spies is currently not available to stream in the UK, but can be rented and purchased on digital platforms.
The Phantom of the Open is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).