Broad Street Bullies

Broad Street Bullies chronicles the rise of the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team from their inception as an expansion team in 1967 to their back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975. Narrated by Liev Schreiber, it presents a comprehensive look at the team’s journey, featuring interviews with players, writers, broadcasters, and other individuals involved with the Flyers and NHL hockey during that era.

The documentary begins by tracing the team’s origins, including founder Ed Snider’s efforts to bring an NHL expansion team to Philadelphia. It then follows the Flyers’ evolution from an underdog team to a formidable force in the league. The film highlights the team’s strategic decision to recruit bigger, tougher players in response to early physical defeats, which led to the development of their aggressive playing style and the nickname “Broad Street Bullies”.

Key figures in the team’s history are prominently featured, including Dave “The Hammer” Schultz, goaltender Bernie Parent, and head coach Fred “the Fog” Shero. The documentary also explores the team’s relationship with the city of Philadelphia, showcasing how the Flyers’ success coincided with and uplifted a city facing economic and sports-related challenges.

The film covers significant moments in the team’s history, such as their Stanley Cup victories, their exhibition game against the Russian Red Army team, and their impact on the NHL’s rule changes. It also addresses the contrasting perceptions of the team, loved in Philadelphia but often vilified in other cities due to their aggressive style of play.

Through a combination of archival footage, photographs, and interviews, the documentary provides a detailed account of the Flyers’ most successful period and their lasting impact on the sport of hockey and the city of Philadelphia.