On Wednesday evening I had the chance to attend the premiere of Universal Studio’s new movie “89” about the title win at Anfield that year.

I’ve been an Arsenal fan all my life, and a season ticket holder for the last 14 seasons. However, I wasn’t even born when the Gunners won the league in 1989.

My experience of that season has been a highlight reel from the final game, and all the articles I’ve read about it.

Other than that, I hadn’t seen much. I imagine anyone younger than 35 is the same.

So what was it like, watching the film without that background of actually having experienced the event live?

Personally, I loved it.

Amy Lawrence and co. do a fantastic job of setting the scene early on, by giving you an overview of the era.

They show how George Graham was trying to transform the team, and make it clear just how average Arsenal had been in the 18 years prior (compared to Liverpool’s total dominance).

The film then runs you through the season, with clips from training sessions, new interviews with the team and, of course, footage from matches.

But it’s later, when the film really gets into the emotion of the story, that it starts to hit home.

The Hillsborough disaster is respectfully and poignantly detailed, as well as the impact it had on the players and fans of clubs all over the country. Paul Merson is so choked up about it that still, even today, he struggles to talk about that horrendous afternoon at in Sheffield.

With emotions heightened already, the final game at Anfield gripped us all. When Michael Thomas’ shot went in the audience erupted in applause.

From that high, we then watch as Ian Wright is overcome by emotion talking about what the win meant to him and his good friend David Rocastle. It is an ending that challenges even the coldest of hearts to warm with a wide-range of emotions.

In addition to the great way the film is put together, what makes this story so effective is that it’s real. This isn’t some fairy-tale brought to life on screen, although it certainly feels that way at times when you consider the massive lead Arsenal amassed in the league that they threw away, the last-minute nature of the goal, and the emotions of Hillsborough.

It’s an unbelievable story, but a true one.

But all I can say is that if you weren’t alive in ’89, and you’re wondering whether it’s worth watching anyway, I would definitely recommend doing so.

89 is available in OurScreen cinemas from 11th November & on DVD & Digital Download from 20th November. You can pre-order today!