REVIEW: 'Rise of the 49ers' Brings a New Life to Sports Docuseries

Alex Tran
1 minute ago
4 min read

Two players from the San Francisco 49ers with their backs to the camera and their arms around one another's backs. Text reads "Rise of the 49ers Review" — *Rise of the 49ers* © AMC Studios

With the NFL season now over and the Seattle Seahawks crowned the new Super Bowl Champions, I was able to finally sit and enjoy AMC Network's new docuseries Rise of the 49ers.

For a guy like me who grew up on the San Francisco 49ers, this is probably as close to a 49ers movie you will ever get.

For everyone watching AMC’s four-part docuseries Rise of the 49ers reframes this franchise as something much larger: a saga of modern gladiators. Before they were the "Gold Standard," the 49ers were a team that struggled to find its identity. Entering the NFL in 1946 as pioneers in a rugged, emerging league, but it wasn't until the late 70s and early 80s that they truly became the architects of the modern game and transformed from deadpan disarray to a dominant dynasty.

This series, executive produced and narrated by legendary quarterback Tom Brady, captures the Cinderella-like transformation of the 49ers with a grit and cinematic polish that feels less like a standard sports documentary and more reminiscent of the old NFL Films that were narrated by Steve Sabol. Brady, who grew up in San Mateo, California, brings a palpable, personal reverence to the narration. This isn’t just a job for him; it’s an homage to his family lore. He famously grew up sitting in the nosebleeds of Candlestick Park with his family. That raw, childhood love for the team radiates through every minute of the four episodes.

For the 49ers Faithful, or even the smallest fan, the docuseries doesn't shy away from taking you on a deep dive. From Joe Thomas to O.J. Simpson, from to Joe Montana to Steve Young, Rise of the 49ers will take viewers on a rollercoaster of ups and downs, much like how the 49ers seasons have been panning out lately.

The series is structured as a tight, four-episode journey that mirrors the "rise" of the dynasty:

Episode 1: "We Built This City" – Traces the arrival of a young, ambitious owner, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., and a revolutionary "professor," Bill Walsh. It highlights the "lowest lows" of the late 70s and the building of a culture that prioritized finesse over brute force.
Episode 2: "Weird, and Football" – Explores the 1980s peak, where the 49ers became a unifying force for a turbulent San Francisco. It shows the team at the "height of their glory," proving that being different was their greatest strength.
Episode 3: "The Gold Standard" – Dives into the internal gladiatorial battles, specifically the legendary Joe Montana vs. Steve Young quarterback controversy, that threatened to tear the empire apart even as they continued to win.
Episode 4: "Finesse-Ass 49ers" – A beautiful conclusion focusing on the 1988 miracle run and the legacy of the dynasty, ending with a moving scene of Brady himself fulfilling a lifelong dream: playing catch with Jerry Rice.

Visually, I was enamored with how well this docuseries was put together. The use of rare NFL Films archival footage is breathtaking; the grass at Candlestick looks greener, the hits feel heavier, and the slow-motion spirals of Montana’s passes are nothing short of poetic. The interviews are equally impressive, featuring icons like Montana, Rice, Young, and Ronnie Lott, who speak with a candor that suggests they knew they were part of something historical even then.

The use of Bill Walsh's unreleased personal recordings has left me speechless because it truly is watching a master at work. For decades, rumors swirled about the "Professor’s" private stash of team meetings and coaching clinics. AMC finally pulls back the curtain, allowing us to see Walsh not just as a strategist, but as a master motivator. Where the series shines brightest are in the use of this archival footage of Walsh's meetings with the teams. Hearing his voice: calm, precise, and revolutionary, as he installs the West Coast Offense in real-time is a revelation. It transforms the series from a history lesson into a masterclass, showing the 49ers at their "height of glory" and their "lowest lows" through the eyes of the man who rebuilt them from the ground up. A vast and extensive personal archive that Bill Walsh’s son Craig, had donated to NFL Films

“Bill filmed all of his meetings himself,” said Ryan Kelly, senior producer at NFL Films. “He liked to self-scout to improve his performances. And he filmed his meetings to help future coaches, especially minority coaches, by passing along the San Francisco secrets.”

From a lifelong fan of the 49ers, in a whole this can all be viewed as a Shakespearian sports drama, where the hero dies and is resurrected numerous times in a cycle of the highest highs and the lowest lows.

The timing of this release couldn't be more perfect. With Super Bowl LX descending upon the San Francisco Bay Area, and the championship having been played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The energy in the city is electric, and Rise of the 49ers serves as the ultimate primer for the world to see why this region’s football DNA is so distinct and deeply rooted in the Bay Area.

Whether you're a fan who lived through the "gladiator" days of the 80s or a newcomer wondering why the red and gold jersey carries so much weight, Rise of the 49ers is essential viewing. It’s a 5-star triumph that proves that while players retire, the legends—and the stories live forever.