ESPN's 30 FOR 30 Presents Knicks Championship Film WHEN THE GARDEN WAS EDEN Tonight
By: TV News Desk Oct. 21, 2014
In the early 1970s, America was being torn apart by the war in Vietnam, with racial unrest in the streets and a distrust of the White House. But there was a happier place where men of different backgrounds showed people that amazing things could happen when they worked together: Madison Square Garden. "When The Garden Was Eden," directed by Michael Rapaport and based on the book by Harvey Araton, explores the only championship years of the New York Knicks, when they made the NBA FINALS in three out of four seasons, winning two titles.
Stitched together by Red Holzman, the previously mediocre Knicks might have seemed an odd collection of characters: a forward from the rarefied air of Princeton (Bill Bradley), two players from the Jim Crow South (Willis Reed and Walt Frazier), a blue-collar guy from Detroit (Dave DeBusschere), a pair of inner-city guards (Earl Monroe and Dick Barnett), even a mountain man from Deer Lodge, Montana (Phil Jackson). But by embracing their differences and utilizing their strengths, they showed the NBA and the world what it was like to play as a team. That they did it on the stage New York City provided made it all that much sweeter. "When the Garden was Eden" is produced by Jason Bergh and Michael Rapaport and executive produced by Doug Ellin and Jim Lefkowitz.
The remaining 30 FOR 30 films will air on ESPN as follows (all times ET):
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 9 p.m. - "When The Garden Was Eden"
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 9 p.m. - "Brian and The Boz"
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 9 p.m. - "Brothers in Exile"
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 8 p.m. - "Rand University"
Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 p.m. - "The U Part 2"
*Advance press screeners for all films available upon request*
This October marks the fifth anniversary of 30 for 30's launch in 2009. Additional information including film clips and director statements and bios will be available on the 30 for 30website espn.com/30for30; Follow 30 FOR 30 on Facebook (facebook.com/espn30for30) and Twitter (@30for30).
In celebration of the series' fifth anniversary, ESPN Films will be releasing a limited edition 100-title "30 for 30 Fifth Anniversary Collection" on November 25, featuring the complete set of 30 FOR 30 films as well as NINE FOR IX and some 30 FOR 30 Soccer Stories and 30 FOR 30 Shorts titles.
About ESPN Films
Created in March 2008, ESPN Films produces high-quality films showcasing some of the most compelling stories in sports. In October 2009, ESPN Films launched its signature 30 for 30film series, which has since won a Peabody Award, Producer's Guild Award and an Emmy Award. Inspired by ESPN's 30th Anniversary, the films that made up the series were a thoughtful and innovative reflection on the past three decades told through the lens of diverse and interesting sports fans and social commentators. The strong reaction from both critics and fans led to the launch of 30 FOR 30 Volume II, which is currently underway. Additional projects from ESPN Films include the critically-acclaimed Nine for IXseries, SEC STORIED and the Webby Award- and Emmy Award-winning 30 FOR 30 Shorts.
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