SOME PANTOMIME VILLAIN? NOT ME
Legend Tomkins hopes new film will show his true self
HE IS always seen as a pantomime villain but Sam Tomkins hopes to reveal his true self in a new groundbreaking documentary.
The legendary ex-Wigan star allowed access-all-areas to filmmakers for the final few months of his decorated career.
‘Tomkins: The Last Chance’, made by Jam Films and produced and directed by Joe Gardiner, is an in-depth look at the player and the man, as the former England captain dramatically steered Catalan Dragons to last season’s Super League Grand Final.
Pieced together with exclusive footage and interviews with family, team-mates and coaches as he rides the highs and lows, Tomkins admits it is an “emotional” watch.
But it is laced with humour, not least hearing his mother call him a “mummy’s boy”, and the on-field exchanges picked up when wearing a microphone in his shirt for the final four games.
Tomkins said: “There’s not many rugby league documentaries out there, they have never focused on a player.
“Joe thought it would be a good story to tell and after a few chats it got me excited.
“The first part is about me growing up and the second is the last year at Catalans being my last chance.
“It was almost like we had to get to a Grand Final to make it worthwhile.
“With the microphone, it has never been done before. It is quite funny hearing what you’re saying in the heat of the battle, there are a few embarrassing ones. It was strange as inevitably you never hear that back, what gets said in dressing rooms and in the entirety of a game, but it does get documented here.”
The film delves into the pain of Tomkins being told he should retire. You hear his elation as his last-gasp try defeats champions St Helens to reach Old Trafford – and witness the agony of defeat against Wigan with his family also miked up in the stands.
England coach Shaun Wane and captain George Williams, St Helens winger Tommy Makinson and former Wigan team-mate Josh Charnley all feature in the documentary.
They will also join Tomkins on stage for a Q&A at the film premiere at Wigan’s The Edge on February 28.
Interviewed at his home in the south of France, Tomkins, 34, said: “It’s both sides of my life, on and off the field. Throughout my career I’ve probably been the pantomime villain but that’s not what I’m really like.
“I’m a dad of four. It’s interesting when my kids get asked questions on the film! I’m a family man more than anything. That’s what the documentary gets across.” ●Tickets for Tomkins: The Last Chance premiere and Q&A on Wednesday, February 28, are available at quaytickets. com/ theedge