the story
Named the Best Hockey Player Ever from Czechoslovakia by ‘The Hockey News,’ Vaclav’s story is an epic journey into the unknown. He risked his life, the life of his family, and left everything behind for a better life. Hunted by KGB spies. Tracked by the FBI and the Mossad. Erased from history in his homeland. A man on the run. A man without a country. He broke through the Iron Curtain only to face his biggest adversaries and challenges in the land of opportunity. Vaclav changed the game of hockey forever.
This is the true story of Big Ned’s dramatic journey from behind the Iron Curtain into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
archival footage
The Big Ned documentary transports viewers to the Cold War era via archival footage and contains never-before-seen footage obtained from sources including the Hockey Hall of Fame archives.
In addition to archival footage, worldwide media articles and animations, Vaclav is sharing his never before seen photographs, films and videos that document his harrowing journey from Communist Europe to North America and beyond.
interviews
“Big Ned” includes exclusive interviews with Vaclav Nedomansky’s teammates from his 30 year professional hockey career in Europe & North America including Bobby Hull, Frank Mahovlich and Paul Henderson.
big ned the legend
one man's journey
Vaclav Nedomansky defected from Czechoslovakia in 1974 during the height of the Cold War.
He was the first hockey player in history to escape from a Communist country and play in the National Hockey League (NHL).
BIG NED the documentary will reveal Vaclav’s incredible story for the first time in his own words.
OFFICIAL MOVIE POSTER
[Click Image to Enlarge]
Movie Poster Art by Matt Needle
Little Known Facts About Big Ned
DIRECTED AND EDITED BY VASHI NEDOMANSKY, ACE
Vashi Nedomansky, ACE defected from Czechoslovakia as a child during the Cold War and grew up in Toronto & Detroit. Following his career as a professional hockey player, he has been a film editor in Los Angeles since 2000. He has edited 11 feature films and is best known for his work on DEADPOOL, Gone Girl, Sharknado 2 and 6 Below – the first natively edited 6K film in the history of Hollywood. Vashi is an active member of the prestigious American Cinema Editors (ACE).
VASHI NEDOMANSKY, ACE
Director & Editor
B.J. Hjelholt
Cinematographer & Producer
Samson Pojdl
Producer & Archivist
Ryan Amon
Composer
Kirtland Ash
Producer
Dave Coulier
NarratorSign up for updates
BIG NED: A TALE OF SPORTS, POLITICS AND ESPIONAGE
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