1985-bears-ditka

Fans of the 1985 Chicago Bears team which won Super Bowl XX, went 15-1 during the regular season and is generally regarded as having the best defense in NFL history will have an opportunity to watch a new tribute to the legendary squad.

As reported by The Tracking Board, a new documentary titled ‘85: The Greatest Team in Football History has been acquired by Screen Media Films, and the film will get a one-night national showing in partnership with Fathom Events.

The one-night showing will be on Jan. 29 and you can find out if any theaters near you will be showing the film through the Fathom Events website. Advance tickets can now be purchased.

The theatrical showing will also include an exclusive introduction for the film and the film will be followed by a panel discussion with members of the 1985 Bears — including quarterback Jim McMahon, defensive lineman Dan Hampton, and linebacker Otis Wilson (who was also a producer on the film) — from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The panel will be moderated by Matt Walsh (Veep), who narrates the documentary.

Here is the official synopsis for the film:

Re-live the excitement of the most memorable team in sports history, the 1985 Chicago Bears, just days before the biggest game of the football season! The championship team, led by Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, William ‘The Refrigerator’ Perry, and Coach Mike Ditka, dominated on and off the field! ‘85: The Greatest Team in Football History chronicles their journey to victory and pop culture fame.

Featuring interviews with football legends Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Phil Simms, and Dan Marino, as well as famous Chicagoans from all walks of life, including President Obama, Bill Murray, and Jesse Jackson, this special one-night event celebrates the unforgettable team that launched an iconic ‘80s music video and inspired the SNL sketch ‘Da Bears.’

The 1985 Bears also got the “30 for 30” treatment earlier last year in a documentary titled The ’85 Bears, directed by Jason Hehir. In his review, Ben Koo thought that film felt slow and ran too long, perhaps in an effort to cater to diehard Bears fans who would appreciate some of the footage that was included. That could make for an intriguing comparison with this new Bears documentary.

Again, ‘85: The Greatest Team in Football History will premiere with a one-night national showing through Fathom Events on Monday, Jan. 29, six days before Super Bowl LII.

[The Tracking Board]

About Ian Casselberry

Ian is a writer, editor, and podcaster. You can find his work at Awful Announcing and The Comeback. He's written for Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation.