Doug Mountjoy

An intimate portrait of a former miner from the South Wales valleys who swapped life underground for the snooker club and went on to become one of Britain’s most successful players.

Like for so many of his generation, Doug Mountjoy’s working life began below ground as a miner. The work was tough and dangerous. At the age of 17 he was trapped underground for several hours after a mine collapse. Little did he know then that by the end of his life, he would win numerous titles and the admiration of millions of fans around the world.

Doug Mountjoy, who passed away in February 2021, was one of the stars of snooker during the 1970s and 80s, a time when Welsh players ruled the sport. In this film, we explore his life and career, an unconventional one in comparison to his fellow players at the time.